Excavation and Trench Safety Online Training

Online Safety Training FAQs

What does each online class cover?

Generally speaking, each course covers the following: 1. Overview of the Course/Introduction to the Equipment 2. Anatomy, including pre-shift inspections 3. Stability Principles 4. Common Hazards/Accident Profiles 5. Safe Operation 6. Rigging and Hand Signals (for crane courses only).

How long is the course?

Trainees go at their own pace, but in general each class (including the exam) takes anywhere from 2 to 2.5 hours. We recommend planning for two or more so you don’t end up rushing through the exam.

Are these courses OSHA-aligned?

All of our Hard Hat Training online courses were built and continue to be updated by our trainers and inspectors using OSHA and ANSI guidelines. But it is important to understand that by OSHA-aligned, we mean it follows to the best of our ability the best practices and safety principles put forth by OSHA. In an online format, it is not possible to cover every code for every situation or hazard across every industry. For this reason, our safety training solutions are tools to further knowledge and help employers train and/or certify their crew. But just because a course or program is OSHA-aligned it does not necessarily mean a company as a whole will be aligned or avoid citation if OSHA were to audit them. There is so much more that goes into collective company alignment with OSHA. For example, workers need to be observed applying in the field what they learned in the classroom. This observation/practical exam should be done by trainers, supervisors, or other designated competent persons. Whether you use our training kits or online courses, we provide guides to help employers do this. Other things that need to be done for ultimate alignment may include but are not limited to: addressing with your crew any gaps in the training or additional hazards or principles specific to your work situation; creating, training on, and enforcing and abiding by written safety programs (also known as plans or procedures); and performing regular inspections and risk assessments.

Are the e-learning classes up-to-date with OSHA standards?

Yes, all of our Hard Hat Training online courses are up-to-date with the latest OSHA standards. As standards change, we make changes to the courses. If you purchase any of our online courses outright, though, it will then be your responsibility to update the course in accordance with any changes to the standard.

Does this course certify or qualify me?

There is a lot of confusion among operators and even companies about what it means to be certified or qualified. Simply put, no, a course does not certify anyone, only an employer does. Or, in other words, because it is the employer’s responsibility to make sure an employee is properly trained, it is also his or her responsibility to say when the employee is “certified,” “qualified,” or “competent.” The online courses, like our training kits on CD or USB Drive or even live training via a 3rd party, is just a tool to help them in doing so.

According to OSHA, all operators of heavy equipment must receive operator training. Proper training must include a classroom portion including a written exam, as well as a practical hands-on portion/exam wherein the operator is observed operating the machine. The online course satisfies the required classroom portion of the training. Upon completion of the course and written exam, the safety administrator of the company will receive a checklist which can be used to observe the trainee on the machine. When done successfully, the administrator signs the bottom of the form. At this point, unless further training is required by your employer, you have done everything required by OSHA to be considered by your employer as “certified,” “qualified,” or “competent.”

If I pass this class and exam can I take my certification and get a job anywhere?

See “Does this course certify me?” This will depend on your employer. Remember, it is their responsibility to see that you are trained and if there is ever an accident, it is they who will have to prove to OSHA that they trained you sufficiently. Because of this, while some smaller businesses may simply accept your certificate and a copy of your test, more often than not they will require you to go through their own training program. This is their right to do so. It is their further responsibility to train you in accordance with the job, site, equipment, etc. Having said that, we have fielded many calls from potential employers who wanted to learn more about the classroom portion of the training we offered. After hearing our explanation, they accepted the online class as satisfying the classroom portion of the required training and proceeded to do their own practical.

How long is the training good for?

OSHA standards dictate that safety certification needs to be completed at least once every three years. Since no online course can provide “certification,” these courses will combine with your onsite practical training to fulfill OSHA’s requirements for up to three years. Having said that, refresher training is required sooner if an employee changes sites or jobs, is asked to operate a different type of the equipment, is involved in a near-miss or accident, or is observed operating the machine in a dangerous manner.

Will I get a certificate?

Yes, upon successful completion of the course and exam, you will have immediate electronic access to your test, a certificate, and a checklist you can use for the practical hands-on portion of the training. Simply print them off.

How many people can use this course? Can I play it for several employees at the same time?

When a course is assigned to an employee, only that employee can take the course. There are many reasons for this, but most importantly the course is designed to train that one employee per OSHA regulations. Also, there is a final written exam at the end that will be linked to the trainee assigned. OSHA requires proof of training and if multiple people were to sit in on that one course, they would not get credit for taking it.

Can I customize the classes?

Your business’s learning portal can be completely customized for your employees including colors and logo. Additionally, if you purchase our courses outright to be used on your own company LMS (learning management system), you also get the right to rebuild them and customize them to meet your own needs. If you have Adobe Captivate, which we use to build our courses, customization is even easier.

Are SCORM/Tin Can options available for use on our own company LMS?

All of our online courses are designed to be SCORM-compatible and can be easily uploaded to your company’s current SCORM-friendly LMS. You can license their use annually or purchase them outright. Licensing or purchasing them outright does not, however, give you the right to resell or distribute our courses to parties other than those whom you are training.

If we buy or license the eLearning courses for use on our own LMS, can you customize them for us?

Yes, we have done and continue to do this for clients. Pricing depends on the extent of customization requested. Please contact us for a quote.

Can I resell these trainings?

We do have resale options available. Contact us regarding resale opportunities.

How do I Look Up My OSHA Alignment Safety Certification?

So, you have already purchased a course from us, taken the online training, and passed the certifaction exam with flying colors. Now what? Most people want to print off a copy of thier OSHA Alignment Safety Certification and keep it for your records. Learn how to do that.