OSHAcademy Free Occupational Safety and Health Training

OSHAcademy^TM Frequently Asked Questions

Is OSHAcademy^TM online training different than other training?

Yes. Our training is what I like to call "high tech-high touch": You use the internet to work directly with a qualified trainer (not a computer program) who evaluates and comments on your coursework. Most online training is nothing but highly graphic "flash" generated slide shows. You're forced to watch a set of slides or short videos and interact with a cold computer program rather than a real person.

Remember when everyone thought the computer would get rid of books. Well, it didn't happen. People are reading more books now then ever (thank goodness). Our training may not be as "flashy" but it does give you more content and control as you study. You can print and study off-line at your pace when it's convenient, and you can create a nice study guide as you work through the courses.

Are OSHAcademy courses "approved" or "certified"?

That's a great question. OSHAcademy^TM online training is recognized by colleges, insurance companies, and many public and private sector organizations. Our training is endorsed by the National Safety Management Society.

"OSHA doesn't certify anyone as qualified to do anything" was a regular comment I used while working as an OR-OSHA Safety Training Specialist for 16 years. However, OSHA does "approve" or "certify" training only when it's conducted by OSHA Outreach Instructors who work with the various OSHA Training Institute Centers. Although OSHA does "recognize" training, for legal reasons OSHA does not formally approve or certify training presented by other providers. Remember, is someone tells you they or their products are "OSHA certified", "OSHA qualified" or "OSHA approved," you better verify the claim. Most likely, it's not truthful.

OSHAcademy^TM online training does conform to the guidelines within ANSI Z490.1-2009, Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health and Environmental Training, and OSHA Publication 2254, Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and Training Guidelines for online training as stated and inferred in letters of interpretation. If you ask OSHA about online training, they will state that if the online training conforms to their standards they will likely "recognize" it as valid training. It's important to understand that the guidelines within ANSI Z490.1-2009, Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health and Environmental Training, and OSHA Publication 2254, standards include the following criteria for online training to be considered valid:

Adequate treatment of the subject in terms of content and currency.
Conducted by a competent person.
A standard knowledge test. Typically multiple-choice, true-false, or essay questions.
At least 25 questions for complex procedures or topics.
A minimum exam pass score of at least 70%. No more than three attempts to pass a test.
An opportunity for student-instructor interaction
A certificate of completion with unique student identification.
A student evaluation of training

Will the American Embassy in my country authenticate OSHAcademy certificates?

Embassies will authenticate diplomas issued from universities, colleges, and institutions which are accredited by a U.S Department of Education-recognized accrediting organizations. If it doesn't appear on the Department of Education database of accredited post secondary institutions, a U.S. Embassy cannot stamp the diploma, as the stamp only attests to the accreditation of the institution in question. This doesn't apply to the services OSHAcademy provides because we do not offer a "degree-program" but rather a "certificate-program". A great many worthwhile training courses and professional organizations do not have U.S. Department of Education accreditation, but the U.S. Embassy does not stamp or authenticate them.

The purpose of the authentication process is to help guard against spurious 'diploma mill' degrees, and I agree with the U.S. Embassy policy. Please let me reassure you that OSHAcademy is NOT a diploma mill. There is no way a student will receive a course or program certificate without studying the material and passing the exams. If you have any questions on this topic please call or email OSHAcademy directly.

Will I be "certified" after training?

Like most safety training, our certificates "certify" that you have completed a formal course of study. OSHAcademy^TMcertificates do not certify you as a "qualified" safety professional or trainer. OSHA here in the U.S. does not "certify" anyone as a qualified safety professional.

In the USA, to be "certified" as a qualified safety health and safety professional you need to meet experience and educational requirements and successfully pass an exam from a credentialing organization like the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (www.bscp.org) or the Institute for Safety and Health Management (www.ishm.org).

How much does the training cost?

That depends. The training, itself, is free. You are welcome to complete all of the courses and have free access to most of the materials on the website for free. You are expected to "grade" your own work by comparing your exam answers to the text within each module.

How do I document the free training?

When taking courses be sure to save or print your quiz and final exam response pages to keep as documentation that you completed the training. The only work you must do is to "grade" your own work. Use the final exam response page and compare your answers to the "book answers" on each module quiz. The final exam response page is your only proof of course completion should you need it.

Do I have to register or log on?

No. You do not have to register nor log on to start your training.

What if I want order a course certificate or enroll in a Professional Development Program?

If you decide to order an official certificate, there is a small administration fee. It's important to know that our certificates are not automatically created and emailed by a computer program. Each certificate is individually produced by a real person (imagine that) and includes a unique certificate number, issue date, exam score, instructor signature and suggested CEU's. There are two low-cost options for ordering certificates:

Individual Certificates

order individual online emailed certificates, or
order original certificates mailed to you via regular mail or FedEx/UPS.

Program Certificates. Go to the Professional Development Program page or OSHAcademy Store to learn more about the program enrollment fees.

Must I order certificates first?

Yes and No. If you are only taking one course, we would like you to pay for the certificate first. However, if you enroll in a Professional Development Program, we want you to "try before you buy." You may complete several courses before paying the program enrollment fee. We want you to be sure this training method works for you before paying any fees.

How do I get started?

Just start taking courses by clicking on the course links on the home page, the Professional Development Program page, or on the Course Catalog page. It's that simple. No need to register or log on. Training at our partner site (360 Training) is separate and you will be required to register and follow their procedures.

What is OSHAcademy's refund policy?

Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you pay for any of the OSHAcademy Professional Development Programs (20-,30-,36-,40-Hour Programs) and are not satisfied for any reason, let us know within 30 days and BEFORE you complete the Program or are issued course certificates: If you have ordered original certificates, we will refund 100% of the course fee, no questions asked. If you have ordered emailed certificates (pdf format) we will refund the Program fee minus the individual course certificate fees for completed and issued courses($8 per pdf certificate).

What is your shipping policy?

We ship original course and program certificates when course or program requirements are complete through regular USPS mail. Regular shipping is included in the certificate fee. FedEx, DHL, or UPS shipping charges are additional. See the OSHAcademy Store for details. All emailed course and program certificates (pdf format) are downloaded at no additional charge.

What is your customer service contact information?

For support it is best to send an e-mail with your specific question or comment to Steve or you may call 1.503.292.0654. I am usually in the office from 4:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific Coast Time (U.S.).

How can I receive an additional certificate?

You may request an additional pdf course or program certificate at any time. To receive additional original certificates, you must pay a certificate processing fee ($18 for regular mail).

Can I use a purchase order?

Yes. Purchase Order and DD 1556 purchases are available for corporate and Federal Government accounts; fax the Purchase Order to 1.503.292.0654

Can I get a discount for registering multiple trainees?

No. The administrative fees are already discounted (just compare with other online training providers).

Is the credit card payment secure?

The credit card registration is done through a secure socket with PayPal, so there is no risk for your credit card information, which is protected and cannot be intercepted.

How does the program score the quizzes and exams?

After you submit a module quiz, you will immediately receive a response page with your answers and the "book answers" with explanations. You may retake modules quizzes as many times as you like.

After you submit the final course exam, you will immediately receive a response page containing your answers. If you have ordered a course certificate or enrolled in a Professional Development Program, I will (not a computer program) will personally review and evaluate your final exam, and reply by email with the results.

How many times can I take an exam?

You will be allowed three attempts to pass each course final exam. This is an OSHA expectation for valid training.

Can I review the training material?

Yes, just go to the Course Outline page and click on the module you would like to review. You may review all course material. In fact, I encourage you to review quizzes and final exam questions prior to your study (do not submit a final exam prior to completing the course). Go on a "question hunt" to find the answers as you study.

How do I print the course material?

Yes, there are two methods. When you complete the enrollment process in a Professional Development Program, you'll receive pdf workbooks for all courses. You'll be able to download and print the study guides for use offline!

You may also print the web page directly, or you may print to Adobe PDF Reader or Cute PDF Reader to produce your own pdf document (be sure to reduce the size of the page to 80% to get all of the page printed). I do not recommend copying the material to MS Word or other document to print.

Can I review course materials after completing a course?

Yes. You are welcome to review all course material anytime you like. Other providers many not allow course review after you have completed a course.

Is there a time limit on finishing a course or program?

No, there is no time limit. However, all course registrations are systematically deleted from the system after 3 years.

I get an error when submitting a course quiz of final exam? What do I do?

You have most likely not entered information into all fields. Click the "BACK" button to return to the quiz or exam and enter information into blank fields.

What is your privacy policy?

Geigle Communications, LLC. is committed to respecting your online privacy and recognize your need for appropriate protection and management of any personally identifiable information you share with us.