The rescue and recovery efforts following the September 11 attacks demonstrated the serious consequences of uncontrolled dust exposure. As first responders, construction workers, volunteers, and recovery personnel searched for victims, they worked in an environment filled with pulverized concrete, glass, gypsum, smoke, metals, fibers, and other hazardous materials. Respiratory protection was not always immediately available, consistently worn, or adequate for the conditions. Many responders experienced significant exposure before they fully understood the danger of the dust. In the years that followed, thousands of people involved in the response and recovery developed respiratory illnesses and other health conditions. The World Trade Center disaster involved a complex mixture of contaminants and should not be attributed to silica alone. However, it remains a powerful reminder that hazardous dust can cause permanent harm—and that workers must be protected before exposure occurs. What Is Respirable Crystalline Silica? Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in concrete, brick, mortar, stone, sand, tile, and many other construction materials. When workers cut, drill, grind, crush, demolish, or otherwise disturb these materials, they can release extremely small particles called respirable crystalline silica. These particles are too small to see and can travel deep into the lungs when inhaled. Workers may be exposed even when the amount of visible dust appears minor. Common silica-producing activities include: Cutting or grinding concrete, brick, block, tile, or stone Drilling into concrete or masonry Jackhammering and chipping Crushing or demolishing concrete structures Tuckpointing and mortar removal Using powered saws on silica-containing materials Dry sweeping or using compressed air to clean accumulated dust Silica-Related Diseases May Take Years to Develop Silicosis is a permanent lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica. Chronic silicosis commonly develops after many years of occupational exposure—often 15 to 20 years. More intense exposure can cause the disease to develop much sooner. Because symptoms may not appear immediately, workers can continue breathing hazardous dust without realizing that lung damage is occurring. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica is also associated with: Lung cancer Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Kidney disease Increased susceptibility to tuberculosis Progressive and irreversible loss of lung function There is no cure for silicosis. Prevention is the most effective protection. Controlling Silica Exposure Employers must identify tasks that could expose workers to respirable crystalline silica and implement appropriate controls. Depending on the task and applicable OSHA standard, protective measures may include: Using tools equipped with integrated water-delivery systems Using local exhaust ventilation and dust collection Following OSHA’s specified control methods for covered construction tasks Restricting access to areas where exposure may occur Avoiding dry sweeping and compressed-air cleaning when safer methods are feasible Providing appropriate respiratory protection when required Conducting exposure assessments when necessary Providing required medical surveillance Training workers about silica hazards and protective measures Respirators should not automatically replace effective engineering and work-practice controls. Employers must first use feasible methods to reduce airborne dust and then provide respiratory protection when those controls do not reduce exposure sufficiently or when the applicable standard requires it. Written Silica Exposure Control Plans A written exposure control plan is an important part of an effective silica program—and is required for covered work under OSHA’s silica standards. The plan should identify: Tasks involving potential silica exposure Engineering controls used to limit exposure Work practices workers must follow Respiratory protection required for specific tasks Housekeeping procedures used to control dust Methods for restricting access to affected areas The competent person responsible for implementing the construction plan, when applicable The plan must reflect the employer’s actual tasks and work practices. A generic document that does not match workplace conditions may not adequately protect workers. Employers should review the plan regularly and update it whenever tasks, equipment, materials, or control methods change. Why do we need Silica Training? We do the training because most workers dont know the health effects of silica and go to work for a day's pay to have money to enjoy life. I was doing a job site safety inspection one day, and from the room I was inspecting, I watched a worker cutting concrete block. I looked because it was very quiet, and then the saw started. As I looked out, within seconds I lost sight of the worker in a cloud of dust created from cutting the concrete block. 2-3 minutes later, the dust cleared, and I could see him; he had no respirator on. As I started to walk over to advise him that PPE is required for this task on the job site, he started the saw again to cut more block. I eventually talked to him, and he said he didn't know and said he would get a respirator. This is just one of the many times, during job site safety walks, I had to educate workers on the health hazards of silica and that there is no cure. Lung transplants only give a limited benefit, and the overall average life expectancy after a lung transplant is six to six and a half years, though many patients live ten years or longer. Say you are 30 years old; by the time you are 50, you get silicosis. After a lung transplant, you live to 56, maybe 60 if you are lucky. Silica Safety Training Available Nationwide KARM Safety Solutions provides practical online silica safety training for workers, supervisors, competent persons, and employers in all 50 states. Our training helps participants understand how to: Recognize materials and tasks that may create silica dust Understand the serious health effects of exposure Apply appropriate engineering and work-practice controls Use respiratory protection correctly when required Follow written exposure-control procedures Recognize unsafe dust-control and housekeeping practices Understand employee and employer responsibilities We also help employers develop or review OSHA-required written silica exposure control plans based on their actual work activities. Training is an essential part of prevention, but it must be supported by effective planning, proper equipment, workplace controls, supervision, and employee participation. Protect Workers Before Symptoms Appear Silica-related diseases can develop silently over many years. By the time symptoms are noticeable, permanent lung damage may already have occurred. Employers should not wait for an illness, inspection, citation, or close call before addressing silica exposure. Identifying hazardous tasks, controlling dust, training workers, and maintaining an effective written plan can prevent exposure and save lives. Contact KARM Safety Solutions to learn more about online silica training or assistance with your written silica exposure control plan. Building Safer Workplaces—One Training at a Time.

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.

How to Get NFPA 70E Training Online Electrical work can expose employees to shock, electrocution, arc-flash, and arc-blast hazards. NFPA 70E training helps workers understand these hazards and use safe electrical work practices. Online NFPA 70E training provides a convenient way for electricians, maintenance personnel, supervisors, facility employees, and safety professionals to complete the knowledge-based portion of their training. What Is NFPA 70E Training? NFPA 70E is the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace . It provides guidance for protecting employees who work on or near electrical equipment. Training should address subjects such as: Electrical hazard recognition Arc-flash and shock hazards Approach and arc-flash boundaries Establishing an electrically safe work condition Lockout/tagout procedures Energized electrical work Job safety planning Electrical PPE selection and use Emergency response requirements OSHA requires electrical safety training for employees who face electrical hazards that have not been reduced to a safe level. NFPA 70E provides practical methods employers can use to support compliance with OSHA’s electrical safety standards. How to Get NFPA 70E Training Online 1. Determine Which Employees Need Training Training should match each employee’s job duties and electrical exposure. Employees who work directly on energized equipment generally require more advanced training than workers who only need electrical hazard awareness. Potential participants include: Electricians and electrical contractors Maintenance technicians Facility personnel Industrial and manufacturing employees Engineers Safety managers Supervisors overseeing electrical work Employees working near exposed energized components 2. Select a Comprehensive Online Course Choose a course that covers both shock and arc-flash hazards—not simply basic electrical awareness. A quality course should address hazard assessments, boundaries, PPE, energized-work requirements, lockout/tagout, equipment labeling, job planning, and emergency procedures. The course should also provide: Clear instructor-led explanations Knowledge checks or quizzes Downloadable resources Training documentation A certificate of completion Access to a qualified instructor for questions 3. Complete the Online Training Online training allows employees to progress through the course without traveling to a classroom. This is especially useful for individuals, remote employees, and companies with crews working at multiple locations. KARM Safety Solutions offers an approximately six-hour online NFPA 70E course covering arc-flash protection, shock hazards, PPE, boundaries, risk assessments, and safe electrical work practices. Enroll in KARM’s Online NFPA 70E Training 4. Complete Employer-Specific and Practical Training An online certificate alone does not automatically make someone a qualified person . Under NFPA 70E, qualified-person status is task-specific. The employer must confirm that the employee has the necessary knowledge and demonstrated skills to safely perform the assigned electrical work. Additional training may include: Employer electrical-safety policies Site-specific hazards and procedures Equipment-specific instruction Proper use of test instruments PPE inspection and use Lockout/tagout application Emergency-response procedures Demonstration of required job skills The employer remains responsible for determining whether an employee is qualified for the work being performed. How Often Is NFPA 70E Training Required? NFPA 70E calls for retraining at intervals not exceeding three years. Training may be needed sooner when: Job duties change New equipment or technology is introduced Safety procedures change An employee does not follow required practices An inspection identifies a knowledge or performance deficiency The employee must perform a task that is not normally part of the job Employers should document the employee’s name, training date, and training content. Can NFPA 70E Training Be Completed Entirely Online? The knowledge-based portion can be completed online. However, employees performing electrical work may also need practical, equipment-specific, and employer-specific instruction. Online training works best when combined with the employer’s electrical-safety program, workplace procedures, job briefings, and verification of employee skills. Start NFPA 70E Training Today KARM Safety Solutions provides practical NFPA 70E training for employees working on or near electrical equipment. Training is available online for flexible scheduling, and in-person training is available for companies that want instruction delivered directly to their crews. Start Online NFPA 70E Training Questions or need in-person training? Contact nevin@karmsafety.com . KARM Safety Solutions—Building Safer Workplaces, One Training at a Time.

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.

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