I consider my most important goal when I train operators is to motivate. If I don't get them to think differently... I failed. I need to get real with them on fatality and accident statistics. I need to challenge them to build their skill. I need to kill the "autopilot" in their head that takes over operation when doing a repititious task... like operating a lift truck. I need to remind them they are more likely to kill a co-worker with their operation than they are themselves. I look them in the face and ask what it would be like to go home, face their family, and say "Dad had an accident at work today". And then have to say the rest... they seriously injured or killed a co-worker?
Rules... laws... standards DO NOT MOTIVATE. Dan M. is exactly right, online training can't answer the myriad of equipment specific and application specific questions. Online training can't read the person's face and see if they're struggling to understand something and readdresses the issue in a different way. Online training can't walk around a room changing volume level to help the tired third shift operator who stayed late to keep awake and listening. We need to stop the nonsense that online training can address heavy equipment operator safety training. That's ludicrous.