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Vacuum Truck Training & Certification
Hard Hat Training courses meet all training requirements set by OSHA and CSA.
We Offer Three Types of Vacuum Truck Safety Trainings
Our regulation-aligned Vacuum Truck certification courses are updated to reflect the most recent changes made to safety standards. Whether you want a certification in as little as two hours, or a more robust training, we can help! We offer online trainings that can be completed in a day, DIY training kits that provide training materials, Train the Trainer certifications that certify individuals to train others and provide training materials, or onsite training. No matter what you choose, we can get you what you want, at a price you can afford.
How long is vacuum truck safety training? The vacuum truck training online and training kit options are approximately 90-120 minutes long. The trainer course is approximately 3 hours long.
Online Training
Online training is for those who prefer self-paced training from any location and/or for employers who need to assign and monitor employee training progress and exam scores.
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Training Kits
The training kit is for those who want the freedom of doing the training themselves. It is an PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) that you can present yourself to a group of trainees.
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Train the Trainer
Train the Trainer courses are online and meant to certify a individual to use the training kit to train others. Training kit and materials are included with the Train the Trainer online course for no additional cost.
Purchase OptionsWhat’s in the Vacuum Truck Training Course?
Our Vacuum Truck Training course is regulation aligned, and our online version fulfills classroom training requirements. Each class contains sections on equipment, anatomy, maintenance, inspections, safe operations, stability, common hazards and more.
This presentation includes occasional practice quiz questions to prepare for the final written exam included with the course. In addition to the written exam, a checklist is also included for employers to use when administering a practical exam.
While this training encompasses many important safety standards, you will still need to familiarize yourself with any other federal, state, and local standards that apply to your specific workplace.
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For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase OptionsVacuum Truck Certification Standards
U.S. Standards
Canada Standards
Train the Trainer Certification
The Train the Trainer option is used to certify a trainer to teach others using the included training kit. It incorporates the online course with an additional train the trainer module, as well as the training kit. This option results in an regulation-aligned lifetime trainer certification from Hard Hat Training. This certification is not company-specific, meaning you can take it with you should you change employers.
Why Do I Need Vacuum Truck Safety Training?
In line with regulations, anyone who works with vacuum trucks must receive training prior to working on their own. Requirements for refresher training related to forklifts or other processes are very specific.
Most other equipment doesn’t have such specific requirements, but it’s wise to follow the same guidelines.
When it comes to refresher training, the standards in some instances (like forklifts) are very specific: operators must be re-evaluated every three years to see if they are still competent to operate the equipment. Best practices say to apply this same rule to all types of 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 prove continued competency.
Stay Informed On All Things Vacuum Truck
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vacuum truck?
A vacuum truck suctions unwanted materials so lines, tanks, or basins can remain clean and free of clogs. Humans and their industries create waste. To keep environments sanitary, that waste is accumulated into basins, tanks, or containers which must then be regularly emptied. Vacuum trucks perform that function, and then transport the waste by road to a dump or processing plant.
How do vacuum trucks make money?
The industries most closely associated with vacuum truck purchase or rental are municipal (sewage trucks), industrial, and excavation. Septic tanks and pit toilets need consistent emptying, and farms with livestock also often need animal waste removed. Construction, demolition, mining, or manufacture might also use vacuum trucks to remove ash, slag, or other dry or liquid waste materials.
Are there different kinds of vacuum trucks?
Yes. Common vacuum trucks (liquid suction) use high-pressure water to clean as they suction, and this combination creates slurry and keeps materials out of the atmosphere. For vacuuming dry materials, a type of vacuum truck called a “vacuum loader” also includes a filtration system to keep dangerous particles out of the air.
How do oil fields use vacuum trucks?
Oil fields use vacuum trucks in many, many applications. Industrially, they might use vacuum trucks to remove water from oil tanks, to clean out slurries, and empty tanks. But hydrovacs might also be used for tricky excavation, especially around underground utilities. Vacuum truck operators in the oil and gas industry encounter serious hazards, including exposure to toxic gases.
My trainee scored 80% on the exam. Did he pass or fail?
Contrary to popular belief, OSHA does not dictate what a passing score entails. That is ultimately up to the employer whose responsibility it is to certify, or authorize, their employee to operate a boom truck. If you want to pass him at 80%, 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.
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For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase Options