BUYER BEWARE!!!

Let's set the record straight.

We would love nothing more than to be able to sell you the 40 Hour HAZWOPER Course entirely ONLINE, but it would not be compliant with OSHA online training requirements.

After all, we do sell courses to make a profit, and that would be our best seller.

But, simply because others try to mislead you and thus may get the sale, we will not compromise our integrity and creditability.

If it were all about the money, then we would certainly take yours as well.

Taking the entire 40 Hour HAZWOPER Training Course ONLINE, simply CANNOT BE DONE, and still be compliant with OSHA online training requirements - period!!!

You can take it all online at some websites, but you can also make your own certificate with Microsoft Word if you choose--that doesn't make it legal.

OSHA has not approved anyone to "simulate" hands-on training. If someone tells you that, ask them to prove it.

Let us tell you why this is the case:

First, here is the OSHA Letter that addresses this very subject-online OSHA training requirements. READ IT VERY CAREFULLY and you will see what we mean.

Here are some REALISTIC highlights to review:

BELOW IS AN EXCERPT FROM OSHA's LETTER ADDRESSING ONLINE OSHA TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

Question 1: (To OSHA)

Is it possible to satisfy the requirements for 40 hours of classroom training solely through an online course or would there need to be a supplemental portion of the training reserved for hands-on training in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and work practices by which an employer can minimize risks from hazards?

Answer: (From OSHA)

In OSHA's view, self-paced, interactive computer-based training can serve as a valuable training tool in the context of an over-all HAZWOPER training program. However, use of computer-based training by itself would not be sufficient to meet the intent of the standard's various training requirements. OSHA urges employers to be wary of relying solely on generic "packaged" training programs in meeting their training requirements since training required under HAZWOPER includes site-specific elements which need to be tailored to the individual worker's assigned duties.

Safety and health training may often involve the presentation of technical material to audiences that typically have not had formal education in technical or scientific disciplines, such as in areas of chemistry or physiology. In an effective training program, it is critical that trainees have the opportunity to ask questions where material is unfamiliar to them. In a computer-based program, this requirement may be accomplished through the provision of access to a telephone hotline at the time the training is being conducted so that trainees will have direct access to a qualified trainer at the time their questions are raised.

For HAZWOPER training, equally important is the use of hands-on experience and exercises to provide trainees with an opportunity to become familiar with equipment and safe practices in a non-hazardous setting. Many industrial operations, particularly hazardous waste operations, involve complex hazardous tasks and exposures. Traditional hands-on training ensures that workers are prepared to safely perform their job assignments. The purpose of hands-on training (i.e., in the donning and doffing of PPE) is two-fold: first, to ensure that workers have an opportunity to learn by practical experience and second, to assess whether workers have mastered the necessary skills. It is unlikely that sole reliance on a computer-based training program will accomplish these objectives.

In summary, OSHA believes that computer-based training programs can be used as part of an effective safety and health training program to satisfy OSHA training requirements, provided that the program is supplemented by the opportunity for trainees to ask questions of a qualified trainer, and gives trainees hands-on familiarity with protective equipment.

Question 2: (To OSHA)

Would OSHA find it acceptable if the only experience that an employee gets in regards to the required hands-on training be during the three days of field experience at the hazardous waste site and not during the 40 hours of classroom instruction?

Answer: (From OSHA)

No. Supervised field experience is part of an employee's initial training, taking place after he or she has completed the off-site classroom instruction. Employees must be able to familiarize themselves with the equipment and field conditions under which they will be expected to work. The initial three days in the field under the supervision of another experienced employee combined with the required classroom instruction is required for new employees.

For Safety Unlimited, Inc. it is all about integrity and creditability.

WE WILL NOT COMPROMISE OUR INTEGRITY AND LOSE CREDITIBILITY TO SELL COURSES THAT ARE NOT COMPLIANT WITH ONLINE OSHA TRAINING REQUIREMENTS!

WE CAN NOT OFFER THE 40 HOUR HAZWOPER TRAINING COURSE COMPLETELY ONLINE, AS THIS IS NOT COMPLIANT WITH ONLINE OSHA TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.

WHO HAS THE MOST TO LOSE?

That one is easy. Training providers are not responsible to ensure that you or your employees are adequately trained. That is the responsibility of the employer. So what if they are wrong? OSHA will go after you, not the training provider. The training provider can simply say that they gave you all of the facts, and you made the final decision about your 40 Hour HAZWOPER Training. Simply stated, they have nothing to lose and you have everything to lose.

Not to mention that when you or your employees show up to work on a site, and claim to have 40 Hour HAZWOPER training, everyone expects that you have had hands-on training, in addition to online OSHA training..

If after reading all this, you still feel it is acceptable by OSHA standards to take the 40 Hour HAZWOPER Training Course entirely ONLINE, we are sorry to say that we are not the training provider for you. Again, we would love to earn your business, but we cannot compromise acceptable industry standards and online OSHA training compliance standards in order to offer you the 40 Hour HAZWOPER training completely online.

We wish you luck and please be safe.