Tag Archives: chmm

My Path to the Certified Environmental, Safety and Health Trainer (CET)

CET Self Assessment Exam

My well worn Self-Assessment Exam.

I’ve spent a chunk of my career teaching environmental, health and safety (EHS) courses. I’ve know about the Certified Environmental, Safety and Health Trainer (CET) for years, but I didn’t really need it for my job. Therefore, I never pursued it. I asked other EHS trainers I know and no one else had it or had even considered it. Was this process going to be worth the effort? Eventually my curiosity got the best of me. I didn’t have any first-hand accounts of the process. Therefore, I write this in hope that it helps you on your path to the CET.

Spoiler: I was approved, passed the test and am now a CET. Continue reading →

Top 5 Environmental Blog Posts of 2016

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Yellowstone National Park. An image from my favorite post of 2016

Thanks to everyone who came to the blog in 2016. There was an 80% increase in readers from 2015. The blog continues to grow! Here are my Top 5 environmental blog posts in 3 categories: my favorite posts of 2016, most read posts of 2016, and my favorite early blog posts. I’d recommend checking out the lists if you came here for something other than what’s listed. If you enjoyed a post or one listed below, share it and spread the positive environmental messages.

My top 5 favorite posts of 2016

  1. Joy of the National Parks in Photos
  2. The World’s First Fully Solar Powered Beer Fest
  3. The Joy of Science & Natural History Museums
  4. What are HCFCs and their Connection to Costco and International Diplomacy
  5. Environment of Beer: Coors Brewery Tour

Continue reading →

Thoughts on the CHMM Exam

CHMM T-shirt

T-shirt of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of CHMMs.

I recently taught the RCRA portion of a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) exam prep course for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of CHMMs. After teaching, I sat in on the review session and was surprised at the difficulty of the questions. I think I could still pass the exam today without preparation, but I wondered if the questions were this hard when I took it?

I passed the exam and became a CHHM in 2007 and have successfully renewed and stayed current. My preparation for the exam involved reading “Managing Hazardous Materials” (which I learned has been replaced by 3 new manuals) and my work experience. I didn’t take a prep course. I just winged it. I thought that the exam was fair. If you had the work experience and didn’t study or prep you could probably pass it. If you didn’t have the work experience, but prepared you could probably pass it. Therefore, if you had the experience and studied you’d be in good shape. Conversely, you wouldn’t have a chance if you didn’t have the experience and didn’t study.

Has it changed? Is it harder now or am I out of touch with the deep technical requirements to pass the test? Have CHMMs submitted too many obscure questions to toughen up future members? One student in the prep course was stressing and worried he might fail. He also was getting several of the questions correct by using good test taking skills. He wondered to the group, “If I pass this exam by just guessing and using good test taking skills, am I a fraud CHMM?” Interesting question. My response to him is, no. To even take the exam you have to have your application approved. He’s passed that first step, which indicates the IHMM thinks he’s worthy to be a CHMM. Now he’s in a prep course and will soon take the exam. Even if it takes him a few tries to pass, once he passes, he’s a CHMM.

Good test taking skills can take you a long way. They’re even more useful when you have a basic understanding of the topic. For example, if you don’t know the technical requirements of Land Disposal Restrictions, but understand the concept and use good test taking, you’re in good shape. Of course, there is a story of a guy who passed the Certified Industrial Hygienist exam merely by using good test taking skills. I wonder. Could I do that?