How to Get NFPA 70E Training Online

When Nevin and I develop training at KARM Safety Solutions, there is one question we continually come back to: What does this person actually need to know when they return to the jobsite? Whether someone takes a KARM course online or sits with us in a classroom, our goal is the same. We want that person to understand the hazards, understand the applicable safety requirements, and know how to apply what they learned in the real world. That philosophy is especially important when it comes to Competent Person training . Competent Person Training Should Be More Than a Certificate It can be easy to think of safety training as another requirement that needs to be checked off a list. Watch the presentation. Pass the quiz. Get the certificate. Nevin and I don’t believe that approach is good enough for Competent Person training. A Competent Person may have significant responsibilities on a jobsite. Depending on the applicable OSHA standard, that can include identifying existing and predictable hazards and having the authority to take prompt corrective measures. That requires more than memorizing a few regulations. A person needs to understand what they are looking for, why it matters, and what needs to happen when something isn’t right. That is what we try to build into every KARM Competent Person course. Is Online Competent Person Training as Good as In-Person Training? It can be — if the online course is built correctly and the employer fulfills any additional requirements applicable to the employee, task, equipment, or OSHA standard. When KARM develops an online course, we don’t start by asking how quickly we can get someone through it. We start with the same information we would want to cover if Nevin or I were standing in front of the student. That includes: Applicable OSHA requirements Hazard recognition Competent Person responsibilities Real-world workplace examples Common mistakes and unsafe conditions Inspections and corrective actions when applicable Knowledge checks and course assessments Practical information employees can take back to the jobsite The delivery method may be different. The educational objective isn’t. Why We Built KARM’s Online Training In-person training is still extremely valuable, and KARM continues to provide onsite and classroom safety training. But we also work with employers who have employees spread across different jobsites, cities, shifts, and states. Getting everyone into one classroom isn’t always realistic. An employee may be hired after the company’s annual training. A supervisor may need training before starting a new project. A company may have five employees who need training today and another five who need it three months from now. That’s where well-designed online safety training can be extremely useful. Instead of replacing education with convenience, our goal is to use technology to make quality safety education more accessible. Employees can complete the educational portion of training without an employer having to coordinate an entire crew’s schedule around one classroom date. Our Online Courses Aren’t Designed to Be the “Easy Version” This is something that’s important to both of us. KARM’s online courses aren’t intended to be a shortcut to a certificate. We want students to actually participate in the training, think about the hazards being discussed, and demonstrate that they understand the material. If someone completes a KARM online Competent Person course, we want the education behind that course to reflect the same principles we teach when we’re standing in a classroom. Different delivery method. Same commitment to the education. KARM Competent Person Training KARM Safety Solutions offers Competent Person training in several important areas, including: Fall Protection Competent Person Training Learn about fall hazards, fall protection systems, inspections, employee protection, and the responsibilities associated with controlling fall hazards. Trenching & Excavation Competent Person Training Learn to recognize excavation hazards, understand protective systems, conduct required inspections, identify changing conditions, and understand the responsibilities of the Competent Person. Confined Space Competent Person Training Learn about confined-space hazards, hazard evaluation, entry requirements, employee responsibilities, atmospheric concerns, and applicable procedures. Scaffold Competent Person Training Learn about scaffold hazards, inspections, access, fall protection, structural considerations, and the responsibilities associated with scaffold safety. Silica Competent Person Training Learn about respirable crystalline silica hazards, exposure controls, work practices, applicable OSHA requirements, and the Competent Person’s role. Rigger & Signal Person Training Learn about rigging hazards, inspections, load control, signaling, communication, and the responsibilities involved in safe lifting operations. The Employer Still Has an Important Role There is an important distinction employers should understand. Completing a Competent Person training course does not, by itself, automatically make someone the Competent Person for every workplace or situation. OSHA requirements vary depending on the standard and work being performed. A Competent Person generally must have the knowledge to identify applicable hazards and the authority to take prompt corrective measures. Employers are responsible for determining who is qualified and authorized to perform those responsibilities within their organization. Certain tasks may also require additional hands-on instruction, demonstrations, evaluations, site-specific training, equipment-specific training, or employer authorization. KARM training is designed to provide the educational foundation employers and employees can build on. Online or In Person? Choose What Works for Your Crew There isn’t one training format that works best for every company. Some employers want Nevin or me onsite with their entire crew. In-person training allows us to discuss the company’s specific operations, answer questions as they come up, and interact directly with employees. Other employers need flexibility. Online training can work extremely well for remote employees, multiple locations, new hires, make-up training, supervisors, or employees who can’t attend a scheduled classroom session. Some employers may benefit from using both . The important question shouldn’t simply be: “Was the training online or in person?” A better question is: “Did the employee actually learn what they need to know?” That’s the Standard We Want Behind KARM Training Nevin and I have spent years working with employers and employees in real workplaces. We’ve seen the difference between knowing a regulation and actually understanding how that regulation applies when you’re standing on a jobsite looking at a hazard. That’s what we want to bring into KARM’s training. We don’t want someone finishing a course knowing only enough to pass a test. We want them to look at a trench, scaffold, fall exposure, confined space, silica-producing task, or lifting operation differently because of what they learned. Recognize the hazard. Understand the requirement. Know what needs to happen next. Whether that education happens in one of our classrooms or through KARM’s online training platform, that’s the standard we’re working toward. — Robert & Nevin KARM Safety Solutions Building Safer Workplaces — One Training at a Time. Need Competent Person Training for Your Employees? KARM Safety Solutions provides online and in-person OSHA safety training for individual employees, supervisors, and entire crews. Employers can choose online training for flexibility or contact KARM to discuss onsite and group training options. Explore KARM’s Competent Person training courses or contact our team to determine which training option makes the most sense for your employees. Robert W Miller SMS, CIT, STSC, SME KARM Safety Solutions 

Don’t piece together outdated policies from across the internet. KARM Safety Solutions creates organized, OSHA-aligned safety manuals tailored to your company, industry, jobsite hazards, and state requirements. Our expertise comes from years of safety experience, working directly with employers and employees on active jobsites, and participating on safety boards where important workplace-safety issues are discussed. Every custom manual includes: • Required core safety programs • Industry- and hazard-specific policies • A clear table of contents • Employee acknowledgment forms • Recommended and requested custom policies • One printed policy book • A digital copy for computers and field tablets Get a safety program that is practical, professional, and written specifically for your business. Contact KARM Safety Solutions to get started.

Learn why Trench & Excavation Competent Person training can benefit the entire crew. KARM Safety Solutions explains OSHA trench hazards, inspections, protective systems, soil classification and why broader worker knowledge improves job-site safety.”

A trench can collapse suddenly and without warning. Before employees enter an excavation, hazards must be evaluated, and the proper protective measures must be in place. Remember the 5-4-3-2-1 trench safety basics: ✅ 5 feet: Trenches 5 feet or deeper generally require a protective system unless the excavation is entirely in stable rock. ✅ 4 feet: Provide a safe means of access and egress in trenches 4 feet or deeper, located so workers travel no more than 25 feet. ✅ 3 feet: Ladders used for access should extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface. ✅ 2 feet: Keep excavated soil, materials and equipment at least 2 feet from the trench edge. ✅ 1 competent person: A competent person must inspect the excavation, protective systems and surrounding conditions before work, daily and after conditions that could increase hazards. Proper planning, soil evaluation, protective systems, safe access, and competent-person oversight can prevent serious injuries and fatalities. KARM Safety Solutions provides practical Trenching and Excavation Competent Person training for construction professionals. Plan ahead. Work safely. Go home safe.

By Robert W Miller SMP, CIT, STSC, SME

By Robert Miller, Vice President of KARM Safety Solutions

Forklifts are essential tools in warehouses, construction sites, manufacturing facilities, lumber yards and industrial workplaces. They allow employees to move heavy materials efficiently, but they can also create serious hazards when operated by someone who has not received proper training. In my experience as a safety trainer, safe forklift operation requires much more than knowing how to start the equipment, raise the forks and move a load. Operators must understand the limitations of the equipment, recognize workplace hazards and know how their decisions can affect nearby employees. Proper forklift training helps protect your crew, your equipment and your business. Forklift Training Is an OSHA Requirement OSHA requires employers to ensure that powered industrial truck operators are trained and evaluated before they are permitted to operate the equipment independently. Training must include a combination of: Formal instruction Practical, hands-on training Evaluation of the operator’s performance in the workplace The training and evaluation must be conducted by someone with the knowledge, training and experience necessary to train operators and assess their competence. OSHA also requires the employer to document that each operator has been trained and evaluated. That documentation must include the operator’s name, the dates of training and evaluation, and the identity of the person who performed the training or evaluation. What Forklift Operators Need to Understand Forklift training should be specific to the type of equipment the employee will operate and the conditions found in the workplace. A complete training program should address important topics such as: Forklift controls and operating instructions Equipment capacity and load limits Forklift stability and the stability triangle Pre-operation equipment inspections Safe load handling, stacking and unstacking Steering, maneuvering and restricted visibility Pedestrian awareness Ramps, slopes and uneven surfaces Refueling and battery-charging procedures Workplace-specific hazards OSHA specifically requires training on both truck-related topics and workplace conditions that may affect safe operation. This includes pedestrian traffic, narrow aisles, surface conditions, ramps, load stability and other hazards unique to the worksite. Why Hands-On Forklift Training Matters Classroom or online instruction can provide operators with important safety knowledge, but it does not replace practical training and a workplace evaluation. An operator must demonstrate that they can safely inspect, control and maneuver the equipment they will actually use. This is especially important because operating conditions can vary significantly between workplaces. For example, an operator working inside a warehouse may encounter narrow aisles, blind corners and heavy pedestrian traffic. A construction operator may work around uneven terrain, changing surface conditions and suspended or irregular loads. Hands-on training allows the trainer to evaluate whether the operator can apply safety principles under realistic working conditions. KARM Safety Solutions provides training that connects the classroom portion of the course with practical equipment operation and operator evaluation. Our forklift programs cover equipment inspections, stability, load handling, pedestrian safety and workplace-specific hazards. Forklift Evaluations Are Required Every Three Years OSHA requires each powered industrial truck operator’s performance to be evaluated at least once every three years. However, employers should not assume that an operator can always wait three years before receiving additional training. Refresher training may be required sooner when: An operator is observed operating unsafely An operator is involved in an accident or near miss An evaluation identifies unsafe operating practices The operator is assigned to a different type of forklift Workplace conditions change in a way that affects safe operation These requirements help ensure that forklift training remains relevant to the operator, equipment and work environment. Forklift Training Protects Pedestrians Too Forklift safety is not limited to the person sitting in the operator’s seat. Pedestrians, spotters, delivery drivers and other employees can all be exposed to forklift hazards. Operators must be trained to watch for people entering travel paths, use horns at intersections, account for restricted visibility and maintain control of the equipment around congested work areas. Employers should also establish clear traffic controls, designated walkways, speed limits and operating procedures. Training is most effective when it is supported by a complete workplace safety program that addresses hazards, equipment condition and employee responsibilities. Proper Training Supports OSHA Documentation During an OSHA inspection, an employer may be asked to provide records showing that forklift operators have been properly trained and evaluated. A complete training record should clearly identify: The operator The training date The evaluation date The trainer or evaluator The type of equipment covered It is also important to understand that OSHA requires employer certification of operator training and competency. OSHA does not issue a universal state or federal forklift license. Forklift Training in Oregon and Washington At KARM Safety Solutions, we provide practical forklift operator training for employers throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our programs can be tailored to the equipment and hazards at your workplace, including: Sit-down forklifts Stand-up forklifts Reach trucks Powered pallet jacks Rough-terrain forklifts Telehandlers Our goal is to help employers meet training requirements while giving operators the knowledge and confidence they need to work safely. Training should not be treated as paperwork that simply needs to be completed. It should prepare employees to recognize hazards, make safe decisions and operate equipment responsibly every day. Schedule Forklift Training with KARM Safety Solutions Investing in forklift training helps protect employees, strengthen workplace safety and maintain the documentation needed to support OSHA compliance. KARM Safety Solutions offers onsite forklift training, practical operator evaluations and training options designed for real workplace conditions. Learn more about KARM Safety Solutions forklift certification and operator training. Call KARM Safety Solutions at 503-304-7037 to schedule training for your crew.

Por qué la calidad de la capacitación sí importa

Online safety training can be compliant when it is built correctly, delivered clearly, documented properly, and paired with hands-on evaluation when required. We include hands-on evaluation forms for most online training to keep employers compliant with OSHA requirements. The forms walk the employer or evaluator through what is required by OSHA. At KARM Safety Solutions, we believe online training should be more than a quick video and a certificate. Workers deserve training they can understand, apply, and remember when they are on the job. We even offer an email to the trainer with questions, as even with in-person training, different questions come up. That is why our online safety courses are designed to go beyond “certify me in one hour” style training. Our goal is not just to help employers check a box. Our goal is to help workers recognize hazards, make safer decisions, and go home safe. Can Online Safety Training Be OSHA Compliant? Yes, online training can be part of a compliant safety training program. OSHA standards often require workers to receive instruction on hazards, safe work practices, equipment, procedures, and emergency response. In many cases, the classroom or theory portion of training can be completed online. However, compliance depends on the topic. Some courses may be completed fully online when the standard allows it and the training covers the required information. Other courses, such as forklift, aerial lift, MEWP, fall protection equipment use, confined space procedures, or other hands-on topics, may require practical training, supervisor verification, workplace evaluation, or site-specific instruction. That means online training is not automatically compliant just because a certificate is issued. The training must match the work being performed. That is another reason we provide the evaluation sheets. What Makes Online Training Compliant? A strong online safety course should include: Clear instructions workers can understand OSHA-required topics Real workplace examples Visuals, videos, and instructor explanation Knowledge checks or quizzes Documentation of completion Access to an instructor or qualified support Employer follow-up when hands-on evaluation is required Site-specific review when workplace conditions matter Online training works best when it helps workers connect the lesson to the real jobsite. At KARM Safety Solutions, we are not just classroom trainers; we spend 2-3 days a week walking job sites, and bring that knowledge back to the classroom learners. Why Fast Certificate Courses Are Not Always Enough A short online course may sound convenient, but fast does not always mean effective. Many “quick certificate” programs focus on getting the worker through the course as fast as possible. That can create problems when workers do not fully understand the hazards, the equipment, or the decisions they need to make in the field. A certificate alone does not prevent an accident. Workers need to understand: What hazards are present What can go wrong What OSHA expects What the company requires How to inspect equipment When to stop work When to ask for help What to do in an emergency KARM Safety Solutions builds training around comprehension, not just completion. How KARM Goes Above Basic Online Training KARM Safety Solutions designs online training to be clear, practical, and useful for real workers. Our online courses may include: Instructor-led explanations Spoken instructor notes Videos and visual learning Quizzes to confirm understanding No skipping through required content Certificates of completion Instructor support for questions Practical examples from real job sites Guidance for employers on hands-on evaluations when needed This helps workers slow down, understand the material, and connect the training to the work they actually perform. All the instructor's notes used for in-person training are spoken during the online training. Online Training Plus Hands-On Evaluation For some topics, online training is only one part of compliance. For example, forklift operators need formal instruction, practical training, and workplace evaluation. Aerial lift and MEWP operators also need training that addresses safe operation, inspection, hazards, rescue planning, and the equipment they will use. Fall protection training must ensure workers can recognize fall hazards and understand how to minimize them. KARM helps employers understand when online training is enough and when additional hands-on evaluation, site-specific review, or equipment familiarization is needed. This approach gives companies a stronger training record and gives workers better preparation. Training Workers in a Language They Understand Safety training only works when workers understand it. KARM Safety Solutions offers training options for English-speaking and Spanish-speaking workers because many crews need safety information delivered in their primary language. When workers can hear and read safety training in a language they understand, they are more likely to ask questions, recognize hazards, follow procedures, and apply the information correctly in the field. Better Training Creates Better ROI Quality online training saves time, but it should also help reduce risk. Better training can support: Fewer incidents Fewer equipment damage issues Better jobsite communication Better OSHA documentation More consistent training across crews Less downtime Stronger safety culture More confident supervisors and workers The cheapest course is not always the best investment. A better course can help prevent costly mistakes, injuries, retraining, and compliance problems. Online Safety Training Available Through KARM KARM Safety Solutions offers online and blended safety training for employers who need practical, documented training for their workforce. Our courses are designed for real-world safety, not just fast certificates. Training options may include: Forklift safety MEWP / aerial lift safety Fall protection Wildfire smoke Heat illness prevention Hazard communication Respiratory protection awareness Bloodborne pathogens Fire extinguisher safety Other OSHA-focused safety topics Note: This is just a small list of Safety Training Topics. Choose Training That Workers Can Actually Use Online training can be compliant, convenient, and effective when done right. At KARM Safety Solutions, we believe safety training should be clear, practical, and built for the people doing the work. Our goal is to help employers meet training requirements while giving workers the knowledge they need to stay safe. Do not settle for a rushed certificate. Choose online safety training that helps your workers understand the hazard, apply the lesson, and make safer decisions on the job. Contact KARM Safety Solutions today to learn more about online OSHA safety training for your crew, or follow the link on our website to get started doing online training.