Earthmover Training & Certification
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What and Why?
What's In The Earthmover Training Courses?
Our earth moving equipment operator training courses are regulation-compliant, and our online versions fulfill classroom training requirements. Each class contains sections on machine anatomy, principles of stability, safe operations, common hazards to avoid, and more.
These presentations include intermittent practice quiz questions to prepare for the final written exam included with the courses. In addition to the written exam, these courses also include a checklist for employers to use when administering a practical exam.
Though you will still need to familiarize yourself with all other applicable federal, state, and local standards, these trainings encompass the following OSHA standards for earthmovers:
Why Do I Need Earthmover Training?
OSHA requirements for refresher training related to earthmovers or other processes are very specific: operators must be re-evaluated every three years to see if they are still competent to operate the equipment.
A so-called “free-pass” cannot be awarded based on experience, age, or time on the job. The extent of the evaluation is to be determined by the employer but should include a written and practical examination that proves continued competency.
Earth Moving Equipment Operator Training FAQs
OSHA requires earthmover training for earthmover operators—on that, there is no question. Where confusion exists is how often operators need earthmover refresher training or recertification. Outside of the initial safety training class, OSHA requires earthmover operators to be re-evaluated every three years to determine if they are still competent enough to operate.
However, three years is the maximum time that is allowed to pass before an operator receives earthmover recertification. According to OSHA, there are several instances that will require additional earthmover safety training and observation before the three-year period is up:
Our earthmover course prices start at $79/person for online training, $399 for the classroom kit (train as many as you need), $650 for the online train the trainer course + the kit, and custom pricing for onsite training.
Yes, you need to take an earthmover operator safety training course. No matter how long you’ve been on the job, OSHA requires earthmover safety training, an earthmover written exam, and a practical earthmover evaluation. There is no way around it. The extent of the classroom training can be adapted by the instructor according to student needs. The written exam proves mental competency and understanding of the safety principles taught. And the practical evaluation proves the earthmover operator not only understands but is capable of operating safely. Many of our customers believe the practical evaluation has the greatest overall value.
This is a common question, especially among laborers-for-hire who may sub out from job to job. Technically, it is your current employer who is responsible for saying whether or not you have been trained specifically for the type of earthmover and job. If you bring a earthmover certificate or earthmover license (wallet card) to your new employer, they do not have to accept it. It is their right to require you to take their own training class. This is because if there is an accident, they will likely be responsible and need to prove to OSHA that they trained you on earthmover operations.
This, above all, causes a lot of confusion. Bottom line, OSHA states that employers are responsible to train their employees. Generally speaking, there are three ways they can do this:
In terms of using a 3rd party's safety training materials (like our earthmover training kits on CD or our earthmover online training classes), OSHA does not recognize one company over another. They simply state that ‘training needs to occur’ and ‘here are the things a earthmover operator should be trained on.’
When we do live training or offer earthmover safety training online, people often assume we are the ones certifying the trainees. This is not true for any training company. We are simply assisting the employer by providing live earthmover safety training or the training materials needed to help them earthmover certify their own employees.
This, above all, causes a lot of confusion. Bottom line, OSHA states that employers are responsible to train their employees. Generally speaking, there are three ways they can do this:
In terms of using a 3rd party's safety training materials (like our crane/rigger training kits on CD or our crane/rigger online training classes) OSHA does not recognize one company over another. They simply state that ‘training needs to occur’ and ‘here are the things a crane/rigger operator should be trained on.’
When we do live training or offer crane/rigger safety training online, people often assume we are the ones certifying the trainees. This is not true for any training company. We are simply assisting the employer by providing live crane/rigger safety training or the training materials needed to help them certify their employees.
No. OSHA states that the earthmover manufacturer must approve the use of a specific earthmover attachment. Too often we see earthmover operators using personnel work platforms (man baskets) or other attachments that are made by different manufacturers. They assume that because their earthmover is equipped to use such an attachment, it is okay to use any brand. Not true. If you are operating a Caterpillar earthmover then you must contact Caterpillar and get their written approval to use any attachment, especially if they are of another brand. New capacity plates must be issued with any addition. Your operator’s manual will tell you if your earthmover can handle certain kinds of attachments or not.
Contrary to popular belief, OSHA does not dictate what a passing score entails. That is ultimately up to the employer, who is also responsible for certifying (or authorizing) their employee to operate an earthmover. If an employer chooses to pass their employee at 80% on the earthmover safety exam, that’s fine. But what if a question or two among the 20% missed could lead to an accident or death? Is it worth it? Our recommendation is that you always go over any missed questions with your trainees—even if they just missed one. Once they understand the principle missed, have them write their initials by the correct answer. That way, you are protecting them and those around them from potential accidents in the future.