10 Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Courses
We’ve put together some of the best heavy equipment operator training online courses that’ll equip your workers with the right skills and technical know-how on handling specific types of heavy equipment. Among the topics covered include the safe use of heavy machinery, cranes, bulldozers, forklifts, backhoe, and more.
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #1
Safe Use of Machinery
Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA requires construction and manufacturing employers to train and educate their workers on the safe use of heavy equipment and machinery to prevent workplace hazards and risks of injury or fatality. In this heavy equipment training by SC Training (formerly EdApp), your workers will learn the proper handling techniques and safety precautions when operating heavy construction equipment like drill presses and lathes. It also explains the dos and don'ts of drilling and cutting, along with some tips to stay safe at all times.
Cost: Free (up to 10 users)
Created by: SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Scope: Safe use of machinery like drill press and lathe, do’s and don'ts of drilling and cutting, safety tips and tricks
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #2
Crane Safety
Cranes are used for loading and unloading freight and moving heavy materials—making it prone to construction-related incidents. To make sure your mobile crane operators know about potential crane operation hazards, use this Crane Safety course by SC Training (formerly EdApp). It’ll equip them with crane operation strategies, like identifying, assessing, controlling, and minimizing crane hazards. They’ll also learn to safely and correctly operate cranes and inspect lifting gears.
Cost: Free (up to 10 users)
Created by: SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Scope: Managing risks associated with operating cranes, safety measures before use, setting up cranes safely, lifting procedures, inspecting lifting gear
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #3
Basic Rigging
Crane rigging involves moving, placing, and securing hefty objects that can weigh hundreds of tons. And so, to maintain a safe operation, rigging operators must be aware of the basics of crane rigging and the best practices for using heavy equipment. This operator training program discusses the general safety rules to crane rigging, the importance of communicating with crane operators, selecting slings and hooks, and the correct usage information of these lifting accessories.
Cost: Free (up to 10 users)
Created by: SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Scope: Crane Rigging definition, choosing the right lifting accessory, hitch types and terminology, communicating with crane operators
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #4
Aerial and Scissor Lift Safety
Equip your workers with safe work practices when handling different aerial and scissor lifts with this heavy equipment operator training. Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School’s course digs deep into different hazards associated with the operation of these types of heavy equipment. It also discusses inspection standards, which aims to secure that all lift tools work and function as safely as designed.
Cost: 69.99 USD
Created by: Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School
Scope: Types of aerial and scissor lifts, hazards present in the workplace, safe work practices, pre-operation inspection requirements
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #5
Bulldozer Operator Safety
A bulldozer comes with large and heavy push blades in front, which can put operators at risk of severe injury in case it rolls over or collides with other vehicles. 360training designed their bulldozer training course to teach operators how to properly and safely use this heavy equipment. It delves into the anatomy of a bulldozer, different hazards associated with it, and safety practices for pushing and leveling construction materials to prevent bulldozer-related injuries.
Cost: 79 USD
Created by: 360training
Scope: How to operate heavy equipment, e.g., bulldozer or track and wheel dozer
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #6
Forklift Operation Safety
Just like any other heavy equipment, the use of forklifts also comes with a range of hazards that operators need to look out for. SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s Forklift Operation Safety course builds on your knowledge on how to safely operate forklift vehicles to reduce accidents and fatalities on worksites. This three-part course covers detailed procedures on performing visual and operational checks, traveling and maneuvering a forklift, and safe load handling.
Cost: Free (up to 10 users)
Created by: SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Scope: How to safely operate forklifts, performing visual and operational checks, traveling and maneuvering your forklift, and safe load handling.
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #7
Basic Forklift Safety
This heavy equipment operator certification by OSHAcademy will provide your operators the skills and knowledge on how to operate different forklifts in construction sites and indoor areas like manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers. They’ll learn the safest methods to lift and move heavy loads based on the principles of physics, some basic operator safety rules, and primary workplace conditions that can make forklift use hazardous.
Cost: Free with paid certificate
Created by: OSHAcademy
Scope: How to safely lift and move heavy loads, basic operator safety rules, primary workplace conditions making forklift use hazardous, traffic patterns when driving a forklift vehicle
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #8
Machine Guarding
Learning about machine guarding can keep workers safe from minor abrasions and cuts to fatal injuries like fractures and lacerations. To ensure optimal safety, use this SC Training (formerly EdApp) Machine Guarding course to train your crew. They’ll have a general understanding of their responsibilities as machine operators and the hazards of working with heavy equipment like lathes, conveyor belts, and metal stamping machines. It’ll also show them the step-by-step machine guarding methods, inspection, and equipment maintenance practices.
Cost: Free (up to 10 users)
Created by: SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Scope: Responsibilities as machine operators, hazards associated with different types of heavy equipment, machine guarding methods, inspection and maintenance
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #9
Machine Guarding for General Industry
ClickSafety’s Machine Guarding for General Industry is also a specialized training program designed for operation managers, supervisors, and workers directly involved with handling and operating heavy machinery in general industries. Course takers can learn more about the safe use of machine guards and how to identify if the devices are being used correctly. They’ll also understand common terminologies used when working with machine guards.
Cost: 35 USD
Created by: ClickSafety
Scope: Workplace standards as prescribed by federal OSHA regulations safe use of machine guards, safe use of machine guards, specific industry terms
Heavy Equipment Operator Training Online Course #10
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Construction
Construction workers can be exposed to a range of health hazards and physical injuries like cuts or burns, fractures, head injuries, even loss of life. One way to prevent these is by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s course highlights the importance of using PPE and selecting the type of protective equipment suited to the nature of their job. It also emphasizes the functions and benefits of wearing a hard hat or safety helmet.
Cost: Free (up to 10 users)
Created by: SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Scope: Introduction to PPE, types of PPE, the importance of hard hats
Training your team is necessary especially in heavy equipment operations that require practical expertise in handling various heavy equipment like excavators, bulldozers, loaders, and cranes.
It’s always helpful to use heavy equipment operator training courses. They’re designed to teach workers how to safely and efficiently operate heavy machinery used in construction, mining, and other industries. Various specialized training programs also offer opportunities for learners to understand equipment safety procedures, maintenance practices, and industry regulations.
With access to the right resources, your workers will definitely develop and expand their hard skills in equipment operation, safety knowledge, maintenance, spatial awareness, precision, blueprint reading, and technical aptitude.
Why is heavy equipment operator training important?
In a high-risk industry, giving your workforce proper heavy equipment operator training should be at the top of your priority list. It’s a game-changer for your business, for reasons you don’t want to overlook.
With heavy equipment operator training courses, operators can understand equipment controls, safety procedures, and the best practices on the job. You can make sure everyone’s safe, far from hazardous incidents that could end in injuries to the operator or those around them.
Skilled and trained operators will also be able to seamlessly operate heavy machinery, boosting productivity and efficiency on construction sites or in other industrial settings. They’ll be confident enough to use the machines like seasoned experts, leading to smoother operations and getting projects done right on time.
They’ll also become versatile assets for your company. Apart from handling the equipment, they’ll also know how to do some routine maintenance and spot potential issues. This way, you’ll have less downtime and avoid costly repairs.
Optimize workplace safety with heavy equipment operator training
Cranes, forklifts, trucks, front end loaders, backhoes, and bulldozers—these types of heavy equipment, among many others, play a crucial role across different industries, especially in construction, shipping, and manufacturing businesses. They carry out heavy manual labor, such as lifting and moving hefty materials, excavation and trenching, or digging holes, making the overall work more economical and accurate.
But despite all these efficiency gains, such tools can quickly go from useful to risky, especially if the operators lack the technical skills and knowledge required to operate and maneuver them. This is why it is extremely vital that they first undergo safety training before taking the job.
Providing your crew with heavy equipment operator training online courses like crane operator, forklift operator, and backhoe operator training will not only protect your business from damage costs but also help save lives in your workplace.