FAQ

Training: General Training Questions
Training: Online Training Questions
Course: Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
Course: DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation
Course: IATA Dangerous Goods
Course: MSHA Part 46 New Miner Training
Course: MSHA Part 46 Refresher
Course: MSHA Part 48 Surface Mining Refresher
Course: OSHA 8 Hour Hazwoper Refresher
Philosophy: A Final Word

General Training FAQ

Do I need training?

Probably. OK, that's a bit cheeky, but if you are reading this FAQ, then chances are likely that you need some sort of regulatory required training. Are you involved in the shipment of, or receiving of,any hazardous materials, infectious substances, or hazardous wastes? This includes pretty much anything with one of those little diamond shaped labels in attractive colors, including flammable items, compressed gas, tissue samples, and spent solvents. Does your facility generate hazardous wastes? Does your company use chemicals, even common cleaning solvents? Do you ever ship (or receive) items using express couriers (such as FedEx or Airborne) using the dangerous goods declaration form? Do you work in a laboratory environment? Do you ever ship environmental samples (soil, water, sludge, air,etc)? Do you work at a hazardous waste site? Do you respond to emergencies involving chemicals?

If you answered 'yes' (or 'maybe', or 'sometimes', or even 'very rarely') to any of the above questions, then you are most likely required to have some level of training. Please review our catalog of courses to determine if our offerings can assist you in maintaining regulatory compliance.

How often do I need refresher training?

Each type of training has its own refresher / re-certification / review requirements. We have a table listing many of the common refresher training requirements.

Online Training FAQ

How do I take an online course?

It's pretty easy. After you choose the course you'd like to take, simply register for the course using our secure online registration process. Once we receive your registration and activate your account, we'll send you an email with your login information and you're ready to go. Taking the course involves reviewing the online course materials and taking multiple choice exams to check your understanding of the material. You participate in the course at your convenience... at work or at home, anytime of the day or night, all in one setting or in little chunks over time. It's up to you. Online learning is flexible.

Is there a test?

Yes. Each course is broken into modules, with an exam at the end of each module. Upon submitting your answers, you receive immediate feedback on your results. You are then given the opportunity to return to the module and/or retake the exam. You may retake an exam as many times as you like. We record the scores of all your exams and provide a printed copy of your results.

What is the passing score for a course?

We do not enforce a "passing score" requirement. This is left to the discretion of the employer.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes. Once you have completed all exams for a course, we issue 1) a printed certificate, 2) a printed copy of your exam scores, and 3) a laminated mini-certificate to keep in your wallet. We mail your certificate package via United States Postal Service (USPS) to the address you provide during registration. Expedited courier service (such as FedEx) is available for an additional charge of $25 for United States and $50 for international delivery. If you need your certificate quickly, we can arrange to email a PDF copy to you. Note: Certificates will only be provided once payment has been received.

Is online training better than traditional classroom training?

Good question. Online training offers certain advantages over classroom training,such as taking the course at your own convenience, no travel costs,and no time away from the office. Similarly, classroom training has advantages over online courses, like being able to raise your hand and ask a question and hands-on training opportunities. It all comes down to personal learning styles. Some people need a classroom environment, while others thrive in a "study at your own pace" environment afforded by online training. You might want to look at our top 10 reasons to switch to online learning.

How long do I have to complete a course?

Once a course is purchased, we leave the course active for a period of six months. This should give you plenty of time to complete the course. Even after you've completed the course, you can log back in and use the course material as a reference to look up a fact or as a quick refresher.

Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) FAQ

Is this course certified by OSHA?

If you've read much of this FAQ, you realize that we really do get this question a lot. No, the course is not certified or endorsed by OSHA. The biggest reason it's not certified by OSHA is because OSHA does not certify courses. Nor do they certify training providers.

Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) FAQ

If I take this course, will I be certified?

No. But there is no course where you can become "certified" in lockout/tagout. The primary purpose for this type of training is to fulfill a portion of the OSHA training requirements outlined in the OSHA Lockout/Tagout Standard (29 CFR 1910.147). You need to understand that this is the first step in learning about OSHA compliance in regards to lockout/tagout. Once you have become familiar with the compliance components, as learned in this course, you will also need to become familiar with the site-specific needs (i.e. instruction on your company's equipment, operation protocols, operations, etc.). You will then need to develop new protocols, procedures, and written programs or improve those current protocols, procedures, and written programs.

Does OSHA recognize online courses?

Yes. Here is an excerpt from OSHA's October 20, 1999 letter of interpretation concerning online refresher training:

"As a matter of policy, OSHA does not approve or endorse training programs. The employer, rather than the training provider, is ultimately responsible for ensuring that employees acquire the training and skills needed to perform their duties in a safe and healthful manner."

Once again, OSHA leaves the determination up to the employer. They do have concerns about online training. Specifically, OSHA believes hands-on training and access to a qualified instructor is extremely important for refresher training (and we agree). We suggest our course be augmented with additional "hands on" exercises such as a respirator fit-test, a review of a site-specific health and safety plan (HASP), and any other material or exercises deemed appropriate by the employer.

How long does it take to complete the Lockout/Tagout Awareness course?

You need to obtain a good understanding of the OSHA Lockout/Tagout Standard. This in itself can take some time. Although OSHA does not specify the amount of training hours spent on this subject, we expect you to spend about 4 hours on this course. The first module (Introduction) should not take more than an hour or so, but the second (Review of the Standard) and third (Developing an Effective Lockout/Tagout Program) modules will take up most of your time. Once you understand the requirements of the Standard, you will need to learn the basics of how to develop your program. This is the purpose of modules 2 and 3.

What will I gain from taking this course?

Upon completing the course, you should have a good understanding of the OSHA Lockout/Tagout Standard, learn why it is vital that your company comply with the Standard, and obtain a good knowledge base to help your company develop an effective program in compliance with the Standard. We even have the resources to help you with the development of your written program plan.

DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation FAQ

Is this course "certified" by the DOT?

No. The DOT does not certify courses. Neither does OSHA or EPA. This means that while our courses are not certified, neither are any other courses. We know this is difficult to believe and even more difficult to accept. According to 29 CFR 172.702:

(a) A hazmat employer shall ensure that each of its hazmat employees is trained in accordance with the requirements prescribed in this subpart. And then in

(b) ...It is the duty of each hazmat employer to comply with the applicable requirements of this subchapter and to thoroughly instruct each hazmat employee in relation thereto.

(c) Training may be provided by the hazmat employer or other public or private sources.

(d) A hazmat employer shall ensure that each of its hazmat employees is tested by appropriate means on the training subjects covered in Sec. 172.704.

We get this question a lot, so it really is a Frequently Asked Question. It's also a FAQ for the DOT, and here's how they answer it:

Q. Who certifies that an instructor is qualified to train, test, and certify in accordance with § 172.704?

A. Except for certain FAA required CFR 14 training, the U.S. DOT does not review or certify training programs for pre-approval purposes. The employer must determine a trainer's qualifications based on their need.

Q. Does the trainer who teaches and tests the hazmat employee, certify that the hazmat employee is trained/tested?

A. No, the hazmat employer must certify that the employee has been trained and tested.

But I've seen DOT "certified" courses elsewhere... what's up with that?

Good question. We wonder that same thing. Perhaps "DOT Certified" means that the course was certified by the Dipolar Oscillating Transistor... because the Department of Transportation does not certify third-party training courses. Or perhaps it means they have self-certified the course for their own employees. Or perhaps they offer a DOT Certification course, which means they offer a course that is intended to help you certify your employees (we hope this is what they mean).

If I take this course, will I be certified?

That's entirely up to your company, the "hazmat employer". The regulations place the onus on the company to ensure ("certify") that their employees are adequately trained. A training course that is perfect for one company may be entirely inadequate for another. If you have questions about whether one of our courses is appropriate for your situation, feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to answer your questions.

Your DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation Course is 4 contact hours. Is this comparable to the 2 day DOT course other providers offer?

Yes, we think so. Our DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation Course meets the requirements for training as specified in 49 CFR 172 Subpart H, including testing of participants. It covers the same material that is usually presented in a 2 day course. The contact hours we present are a rough estimate of the time it might take an average user to complete the course. We've found that it is highly variable and depends on the individual. Also take into consideration that in the 2 day course there are lunch breaks, numerous other breaks, and usually time given to familiarize yourself with the DOT book and tables.

IATA Dangerous Goods FAQ

Are your courses "approved" by IATA or the FAA?

No. To our knowledge, neither the FAA nor IATA reviews or evaluates online training courses (and neither does the US DOT). In fact, the FAA will not evaluate any training courses of any kind from any provider (this includes online, classroom, computer-based, etc). IATA does, however, offer a designation called the IATA Endorsed Training School, and these endorsed training schools often advertise their courses as "IATA Approved". We are not an IATA Endorsed Training School. In order to be an endorsed school, the course must be three days long and include training on radioactive materials. Our courses do not cover radioactive materials. According to the IATA website:

"IATA's endorsed training school program is [sic] scheme whereby training schools submit their course material to IATA for review... There is no requirement that training be obtained from an Endorsed School."

We find it interesting that they choose the term "scheme" to refer to their program.

Will taking this course meet my legal training requirements to the FAA and DOT?

Yes it can, but making that determination is up to you, the employer. That's not always the answer people would like to hear, but it's based on the regulations. 49 CFR Part 172.702 requires that employers ensure their employees are "trained in accordance with the requirements prescribed in this subpart."

MSHA Part 46 New Miner Training FAQ

Is this course accepted by MSHA?

MSHA considers online training courses to be a perfectly acceptable means of training just as they do for courses available on CD-ROM or video. However, MSHA makes the important distinction that all of these means of training (online, video, CD-ROM) are to assist companies in complying with the requirements for training. There are some components of the training, site-specific hazards, etc., that have to be provided by your employer.

Is this course as good as classroom training?

Beyond being the required topics and material required, training is only as good as what you invest in it. Classroom training has the benefit of more interaction with other attendees and active question and answer periods. On the other hand, particularly in large groups it is possible to 'zone out' in the classroom (whether intentionally or unintentionally) and miss important parts. In a classroom, instruction is provided to a group with diverse knowledge levels and you can find yourself spending a lot of time on something you know while other times spending insufficient time on something you don't understand. Online training has the benefit of being more easily individualized. You can spend more time where you need it and less on material you already understand. Our courses provide some ability for you to spend time on topics of more interest or application to your specific job while meeting all the topic requirements. Since the MSHA class requires a specific number of hours that you MUST spend on a course, online training allows you to spend this time on material which is most beneficial to you. At the same time the questions at the end of each module make sure you have understood the basic safety issues concerned. No matter how you spend your time training, whether online or in a classroom, Eduwhere hopes you make the most of it. It's YOUR safety that is at risk. We'd like to see you come back safely for many more courses.

What if the course doesn't take the required time?

It is possible to complete the required modules and tests in less than the required four hours. You can supplement this course with the extra materials suggested in the course using the links to MSHA's website or you or your company can add other materials as long as the material fits the guidelines of your training plan. At the end of the online class you are asked to affirm that the time requirement has been met. If you falsely state that it has you are cheating yourself, your company, and BREAKING THE LAW! When the person at your company signs the MSHA 5000-23 form or whatever form your company uses to document the training, he or she is making a legal statement that the training was completed as required and is subject to punishment which may include a fine and prison.

MSHA Part 46 Refresher FAQ

Is this course accepted by MSHA?

MSHA considers online training courses to be a perfectly acceptable means of training just as they do for courses available on CD-ROM or video. However, MSHA makes the important distinction that all of these means of training (online, video, CD-ROM) are to assist companies in complying with the requirements for annual refresher training. There are some components of the training, site-specific hazards, etc., that have to be provided by your employer.

Does this course meet the requirements for Part 46 new miner training?

No, this course should only be used for assistance in meeting the requirements for the Part 46 annual refresher requirements. A course for the four hour introductory part of the Part 46 New Miner training is available from Eduwhere.

I'm an independent contractor, do I have to have a written training plan?

Per 30CFR Part 46.2(e), if you are a person, partnership, corporation, subsidiary of a corporation, firm, association, or other organization that contracts to perform services at a shell dredging, sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate or surface limestone mine, then the answer is yes. You are considered a miner and have to have a written training plan and have 8 hours of annual refresher training.

Note that your written training plan should be completed and dated at least two weeks before your training is completed. Information regarding the training plan requirements can be found at 30CFR Part 46.3.

Will I get a pink ticket upon my completion of the course?

Yes, and no. When you complete the course, we will send you an uncompleted, unsigned MSHA 5000-23 form, also known as a pink ticket. You will also receive a certificate of course completion and a copy of your exam scores for your training record. These should be used as support documents for the person at your company to complete the MSHA 5000-23 form or whatever approved form your company uses to document MSHA training.

An electronic, printable version of he form along with detailed instructions may be found on MSHA's website. On the form Eduwhere should be listed as the competent person (institution) providing training along with your company's information in block 7. Remember that ultimately, the person signing block 6 must verify that all training was completed according to the regulatory requirements and to the company's satisfaction. That person should also make sure that Eduwhere is included in the list of competent persons and agencies in the training plan prior to your training.

Why isn't Eduwhere listed on the pink ticket as the "competent person providing training"?

This portion of the form is left empty so that your employer can complete this information and ensure that you have spent the required 8 hours of training, have reviewed the site-specific hazards as required by the regulations, and are eligible for the refresher training (in other words, you've completed the new miner training requirements).

Note that you can list Eduwhere as the "competent person providing training". However, any company or individual that is listed in this portion of the 5000-23 form must also be included in your training plan PRIOR to conducting any training.

Why don't I get a signed pink ticket?

Eduwhere is not allowed to sign the form per MSHA regulations. Per the regulations, the responsible party for health and safety training at your facility or organization must sign the form and attest that you have completed your 8-hour annual refresher training requirement.

I've taken the 24 Hour New Miner Training, but it's been a number of years since I've taken an annual refresher. Do I have to re-take the 24 hour course, or can I take a refresher?

As long as you are with the same company as you were when you took your last refresher, even if your annual refresher training has lapsed, you just need to take a refresher course to get up-to-date on your training. If you change companies your refresher training is not valid at the new company and you must complete Newly Hired Experienced Miner training and in some circumstances an annual refresher to again be certified to work in a mine.

Of course, if your training has lapsed you shouldn't be working at a mine until you complete an annual refresher.

Is this course as good as classroom training?

Beyond being the required topics and material required, training is only as good as what you invest in it. Classroom training has the benefit of more interaction with other attendees and active question and answer periods. On the other hand, particularly in large groups it is possible to 'zone out' in the classroom (whether intentionally or unintentionally) and miss important parts. In a classroom, instruction is provided to a group with diverse knowledge levels and you can find yourself spending a lot of time on something you know while other times spending insufficient time on something you don't understand. Online training has the benefit of being more easily individualized. You can spend more time where you need it and less on material you already understand. Our courses provide some ability for you to spend time on topics of more interest or application to your specific job while meeting all the topic requirements. Since the MSHA class requires a specific number of hours that you MUST spend on a course, online training allows you to spend this time on material which is most beneficial to you. At the same time the questions at the end of each module make sure you have understood the basic safety issues concerned. No matter how you spend your time training, whether online or in a classroom, Eduwhere hopes you make the most of it. It's YOUR safety that is at risk. We'd like to see you come back safely for many more courses.

What if the course doesn't take the required time?

It is possible to complete the required modules and tests in less than the required eight hours. You can supplement this course with the extra materials suggested in the course using the links to MSHA's website or you or your company can add other materials as long as the material fits the guidelines of your training plan. At the end of the online class you are asked to affirm that the time requirement has been met. If you falsely state that it has you are cheating yourself, your company, and BREAKING THE LAW! When the person at your company signs the MSHA 5000-23 form or whatever form your company uses to document the training, he or she is making a legal statement that the training was completed as required and is subject to punishment which may include a fine and prison.

MSHA Part 48 Surface Mining Refresher FAQ

Is this course accepted by MSHA?

MSHA considers online training courses to be a perfectly acceptable means of training just as they do for courses available on CD-ROM or video. However, MSHA makes the important distinction that all of these means of training (online, video, CD-ROM) are to assist companies in complying with the requirements for annual refresher training. There are some components of the training, site-specific hazards, etc., that have to be provided by your employer.

Does this course meet the requirements for Part 48 new miner training?

No, this course should only be used for assistance in meeting the requirements for the Part 48 annual refresher requirements.

Does this course cover training for underground mining?

No, while Part 48 does cover underground mining activities this course does not discuss the topics required for underground mining. This course covers the surface operations at both coal and noncoal mines but also includes the surface parts of underground operations (people who work at underground mines, but work in the processing plants or other parts of the operation that are not underground).

Can my Part 48 refresher training be used in place of Part 46 refresher training?

Yes. Part 48 training can be used to fulfill Part 46 training. However, Part 46 training can NOT be used to fulfill Part 48 training.

I'm an independent contractor, do I have to have a written training plan?

30 CFR § 48.3 requires that each operator of an underground mine must have an MSHA approved plan. Contractors can train under a mine's existing plan or can submit their own to the District Manager. If a contractor trains under a mine's plan, they can operate in other mines. We recommend that you have a copy available of whichever plan you are training under.

If you plan to train under a mine's existing plan, we recommend that you check with the mine to see that they will accept the type of training (online, video, CD-rom, classroom) that you plan to use for the refresher training. If you have your own training plan you can make that determination yourself.

Will I get a pink ticket upon my completion of the course?

Yes, and no. When you complete the course, we will send you an uncompleted, unsigned MSHA 5000-23 form, also known as a pink ticket. You will also receive a certificate of course completion and a copy of your exam scores for your training record. These should be used as support documents for the person at your company to complete the MSHA 5000-23 form..

An electronic, printable version of he form along with detailed instructions may be found on MSHA's website. On the form Eduwhere should be listed as the competent person (institution) providing training along with your company's information in block 7. Remember that ultimately, the person signing block 6 must verify that all training was completed according to the regulatory requirements and to the company's satisfaction. That person should also make sure that Eduwhere is included in the list of competent persons and agencies in the training plan prior to your training.

Why don't I get a signed pink ticket?

Eduwhere is not allowed to sign the form per MSHA regulations. Per the regulations, the responsible party for health and safety training at your facility or organization must sign the form and attest that you have completed your 8-hour annual refresher training requirement.

Does Eduwhere have an MSHA approved training plan?

No, we have not submitted a training plan to MSHA as we are just providing the necessary content for training. If you are an independent contractor and wish to use this training, you need to have your own MSHA approved training plan or be able to train under the mine's training plan.

Is this course as good as classroom training?

Beyond being the required topics and material required, training is only as good as what you invest in it. Classroom training has the benefit of more interaction with other attendees and active question and answer periods. On the other hand, particularly in large groups it is possible to 'zone out' in the classroom (whether intentionally or unintentionally) and miss important parts. In a classroom, instruction is provided to a group with diverse knowledge levels and you can find yourself spending a lot of time on something you know while other times spending insufficient time on something you don't understand. Online training has the benefit of being more easily individualized. You can spend more time where you need it and less on material you already understand. Our courses provide some ability for you to spend time on topics of more interest or application to your specific job while meeting all the topic requirements. Since the MSHA class requires a specific number of hours that you MUST spend on a course, online training allows you to spend this time on material which is most beneficial to you. At the same time the questions at the end of each module make sure you have understood the basic safety issues concerned. No matter how you spend your time training, whether online or in a classroom, Eduwhere hopes you make the most of it. It's YOUR safety that is at risk. We'd like to see you come back safely for many more courses.

What if the course doesn't take the required time?

It is possible to complete the required modules and tests in less than the required eight hours. You can supplement this course with the extra materials suggested in the course using the links to MSHA's website or you or your company can add other materials as long as the material fits the guidelines of your training plan. At the end of the online class you are asked to affirm that the time requirement has been met. If you falsely state that it has you are cheating yourself, your company, and BREAKING THE LAW! When the person at your company signs the MSHA 5000-23 form or whatever form your company uses to document the training, he or she is making a legal statement that the training was completed as required and is subject to punishment which may include a fine and prison.

OSHA 8 Hour Hazwoper Refresher FAQ

Is this course certified by OSHA?

If you've read many of our FAQs, you realize that we really do get this question a lot. No, the course is not certified or endorsed by OSHA. The biggest reason it's not certified by OSHA is because OSHA does not certify courses. Nor do they certify training providers. So, the next question is usually...

If I take this course, will I be certified?

Maybe. Not the answer you were looking for? We hear you, but it's entirely up to the employer to determine what type of training is appropriate for their employees. The regulations place the onus on the company to ensure that their employees are adequately trained. A refresher training course that is perfect for one company may be entirely inadequate for another. Please review the course description thoroughly, and if you have questions about whether this course is appropriate for your situation, feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to answer your questions.

Does OSHA recognize online courses?

Yes. Here is an excerpt from OSHA's October 20, 1999 letter of interpretation concerning online refresher training:

"As a matter of policy, OSHA does not approve or endorse training programs. The employer, rather than the training provider, is ultimately responsible for ensuring that employees acquire the training and skills needed to perform their duties in a safe and healthful manner."

Once again, OSHA leaves the determination up to the employer. They do have concerns about online training. Specifically, OSHA believes hands-on training and access to a qualified instructor is extremely important for refresher training (and we agree). We suggest our course be augmented with additional "hands on" exercises such as a respirator fit-test, a review of a site-specific health and safety plan (HASP), and any other material or exercises deemed appropriate by the employer.

How long does it take to complete the OSHA 8 Hour Hazwoper Refresher course?

Although you might think it's obvious, we do get this question. The answer is... at least eight (8) hours. The regulations require that training be at least eight hours in duration, so if you are able to breeze through the course content in three or four hours, you have not fulfilled the eight hour requirement. Each user must spend at least 8 hours participating in their annual review. In addition to the course materials, we provide links to external resources found at EPA and OSHA as additional exercises for the user to explore (being a fast reader doesn't help reduce the time requirement). As mentioned in the previous FAQ (above), we suggest hands-on and site specific training be provide by the employer to augment the online training material. Our final exam consists of one question... it asks that the user certify that they have spent at least eight (8) hours participating in the review.

A Final Word

A bit of our philosophy...

We'd like to make a couple of points about training in general, and online training in particular. Not only is training required by various regulatory agencies (EPA, DOT, OSHA, etc), it is extremely important in terms of providing a safe work environment. Our advice is "don't cut corners when it comes to training." Having stated that, our online courses are designed to assist personnel get the training they need, when they need it, and at a price they can afford. It is not provided as a way of "getting around" training requirements.

While we make every attempt to present appropriate training in an easy to understand format, we cannot ensure or guarantee that each user will emerge from training as competent and proficient. If that sounds like a disclaimer, it is. It's also a reminder that the regulations require you, the employer, to ensure that your employees are adequately trained. It's our goal at Eduwhere to provide training materials, training tools, and a training environment to assist employers meet their regulatory training obligations.