Industrial Skills
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
There isn’t a formal QEW certification process. Instead, you need to understand the tasks your worker is performing and know which ones fall under the OSHA requirements. The two OSHA standards (1910.269 and 1910.332) spell out the tasks and conditions which must be performed by a QEW.
Since tasks are unique to each organization, each training program is unique. Once you’ve identified the relevant tasks, then you can determine what training is needed. You’ll also need to determine how your workers can demonstrate their skill and knowledge when they complete the training.
The first step is to analyze all tasks your workers perform. Those that should be performed by a QEW as identified by the OSHA standards 1910.269 and 1910.332 are the ones you need to focus on. You should look at the important equipment they operate or work on and identify the electrical hazards associated with that equipment.
Next, you need to determine how your workers can demonstrate skill and knowledge for those tasks. Once you’ve completed that process, you can identify the training that will provide any gaps in their skills and knowledge.
If you’ve determined the tasks your workers perform, established a method to determine skills and knowledge, identified training to fill those gaps, and documented everything, your program should be OSHA compliant.
The important thing to remember is you can’t rely on an out-of-the-box training program. Your program needs to be customized to the tasks your workers perform.
1910.332 applies to all employees who face a risk of electric shock and not specific to any industry. 1910.269 provides additional requirements for “the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment.” It applies to “generation, transmission, and distribution installations of electric utilities” as well as “equivalent installations of industrial establishments.”
We’ve summarized both standards for you – 1910.269 and 1910.332
We are plugged into the same information our clients and students are - NERC standards communication, website updates, and other information provided by NERC. Our Compliance Advisors team is key to ensuring our information is up to date.
SOS has been training system operators to pass the certification exam for more than 15 years. We are the training experts, and we know how NERC standards apply to system operations. Our content is developed by Subject Matter Experts who are certified and have worked in real-time operating positions. Our SMEs have a broad range of experience, offering an industry perspective.
There are three OHM exam options: Reliability Coordinator, Balancing Interchange, Transmission Operator. Each certification option contains three unique exams. Once these exams are completed and you would like additional practice, contact (support@hsi.com) to have the exams reset.
We encourage you to review the material before taking additional exams to prevent recall. Exams are based on question analysis and application of what you have learned.
Regardless of the NERC exam you are planning to take, you are responsible for knowing all of the standards in the content outline. You will simply receive a higher concentration of questions in the Transmission Operator or Balancing Authority area if you are taking those exams. Be sure to take the practice (Ohms) test that corresponds with the NERC exam you plan to take.
A student may spend as much time as needed on the material to ensure they have mastered the knowledge to take the exam and perform the job of System Operator. While the instructor-led portion of the program is a three-and-a-half-day class, the online portion can be taken at the student's individual rate of learning. The material consists of 32 modules each of which can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to complete.
No, our program is not eligible for the GI Bill.