Course Description Catalog
2008 IMUA Safety & Training Program
Following is a brief description, in alphabetical order, of the nearly 60 different safety, training and seminar topics available through IMUA's 2005 Safety & Training Program.
Note: Some training topics, required annually by the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL), may also require periodic recertification and/or the development of annual written programs as well. Unless noted otherwise, most programs are approximately one hour in length.
*Asterisks denote Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) required program.
Accident (Damage) Investigation –This program focuses on the standard investigative methods and procedures necessary for performing accurate, effective and timely root-cause investigations at accident scenes, job sites and other work areas.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn how to fulfill the legal requirements of an accident investigation as well as how to determine the cause, cost and compliance with applicable safety regulations. Also provides advice on how to process worker's compensation claims. By identifying the cause of accidents, they can be prevented in the future.
Asbestos Awareness - Designed primarily for janitorial, facility maintenance and utility workers who may directly or indirectly come in contact with asbestos, this course focuses on what asbestos is; how to limit exposure to it; techniques for identifying and avoiding asbestos hazards; hazard communications; and, safe work practices.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn of the dangers associated with asbestos and what can be done to minimize exposure.
Back Injury Prevention (Lifting Safety) – Program encourages employees to follow proper back safety techniques and details tips for preventing costly back injuries. Course teaches employees how the back “works,” the importance of physical conditioning and posture, body mechanics and proper lifting techniques. Program also teaches best safety practices and combines a demonstration of heavy lifting and moving techniques in several “real world” work environments.
Benefit/Value: Supervisors and employees learn of proper lifting techniques and procedures, enabling them to maintain productivity while avoiding painful back injuries, lost work-time and costly medical and worker's compensation claims.
Basic Electrical Safety – Program reviews the basics of electric safety, including how electricity works (conductivity, current and voltage variations, basic grounding procedures, etc.) as well as how to identify, correct and prevent electrical hazards and accidents. Includes a review and follow-up checklist/procedures for conducting an electrical safety audit of the workplace.
Benefit/Value:
*Blood Borne Pathogens – Program covers blood borne pathogens such as Hepatitis B and C and HIV, including how these diseases are transmitted, proper preventative measures and required exposure procedures and follow-up.
Benefit/Value: This program heightens awareness of the issues and risks related to exposure to blood and blood products. Prevention of accidental exposure is emphasized.
Buried Line Location – Course focuses on the proper set-up and use of equipment to locate buried cable, conductor and pipe, all with an emphasis on safety, damage prevention and an understanding of underground practices and procedures.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn of the basic methods and procedures for locating underground energy facilities.
Capacitor Operation and Maintenance – Course provides an overview of the role capacitors play in the process of conducting and storage of electricity as well as a review of the safe installation, operation and maintenance of conductors and key elements.
Benefit/Value:
Chain Saw/Lawn Mower/Wood Chipper Safety – Course details the safe operation and maintenance of these and a variety of other power tools.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn the correct ways to safely operate, transport, and maintain such equipment in order to avoid life-threatening injuries and accidents.
Chemical Burn Treatment – Program outlines the procedures for the remediation and treatment of various chemical burns and injuries.
Benefit/Value: Employees are prepared for what to do in an emergency and/or before qualified medical help arrives and/or the victim is taken to a hospital.
Benefit/Value: Employees in water treatment plants become knowledgeable of best practices for the safe identification, handling, transportation and storage of such chemicals and related agents.
*CPR and First Aid – The Illinois Department of Labor requires that all employees receive CPR training at a minimum of every two years. Hands-on course covers IDOL requirements regarding cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and first aid procedures, including the use of CPR dummies (Resusci-Annies) for successful demonstration of resuscitation compressions, etc. Attendees receive a certification card noting their successful completion of the course following the approximately three-hour program.
Benefit/Value: Employees are trained in the basics of CPR and first-aid procedures and learn to provide emergency medical assistance while following the “Check, Call and Care” process.
Compressed Gases and Pressure Valves – Many industrial, laboratory and utility operations require the use of compressed gases, many which may be flammable, explosive, corrosive, poisonous, or represent a combination of classes. Course focuses on careful procedures for identifying, handling and using various types of compressed gases. Also reviews the cylinders containing these gases as well as the regulators and valves used to control flow.
Benefit/Value: Participants learn of the hazards associated with such materials, as well as the means for safe handling, storage and disposal.
Computer Skills (Excel Spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Word, etc.) – Proficiency in both basic and advanced computer skills is a necessity in order to successfully manage and work in today's modern office environment.
Benefit/Value: Employees are able to develop and enhance their computer skills with such programs as Microsoft Word, Excel Spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations and other such computerized programs.
*Confined Space Entry and Rescue – Among the leading causes of occupational fatalities in the country, confined space entry is a dangerous activity which requires a thorough understanding of entry procedures and techniques in order to avoid serious incidents. Program instructs workers about the different types of confined spaces and their potential hazards, entry permit requirements, safe work practices, attendant responsibilities and emergency responses.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn the proper use of safety and rescue equipment as well as the necessary compliance measures and requirements regarding confined-space entry work.
Defensive Driving/Vehicle Safety – Designed to reduce the chances of road accidents and injuries and based upon years of proven research, this program focuses on the importance of having a positive approach to safe driving and outlines safe driving methods, techniques and strategy. Also emphasizes how to expand your field of vision on the road, planning an escape route in the event of an accident ahead and how to take safe but decisive action behind the wheel.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn how to avoid accidents and injuries by calling upon proven safe-driving techniques and methods.
Diesel Generation Issues – Designed to facilitate the operation and maintenance of member-owned electric generation, seminars also focuses on troubleshooting of various types of diesel engines and generators, such as Cooper, DeLaval/Enterprise, Fairbanks Morse, Nordberg, and
Worthington
engines.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn of basic methods and techniques designed to facilitate the operation and maintenance of diesel-generation equipment.
Electric Grounding Safety – Many workers, regardless of their industry or occupations, are oftentimes exposed to electric energy and energy-related facilities during the course of their daily work routines and responsibilities. Program emphasizes best safety practices and teaches employees how to safely work with, near and around electricity and electric-energy facilities.
Benefit/Value: By learning about the hazards associated with electricity as well as the various control measures to deal with it, employees learn how to prevent electric related accidents and injuries while maintaining a safe and hazard-free work environment.
Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Response – Planning and preparing workers for the unexpected is an integral element of proper emergency response. Program educates employees of the need to be aware of procedures to follow in an emergency situation, whether it is related to weather, fire, chemical release or similar type of incident.
Benefit/Value: Enables workers to prepare and plan for potential emergency or disaster situations.
Eye and Head Protection – Hard hats and eye-goggles are just some of the “must” types of personal protective equipment (PPE) gear offering vital protection to workers in various types of industries as they fulfill their on-the-job work responsibilities. Employees need to know about the proper use and care of such equipment in order to prevent injuries and protect them from possibly fatal accidents.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn how to avoid serious eye and head injuries.
Fall Protection – The potential for deaths and injuries due to falls is a growing concern in the workplace. According to some estimates, falls account for roughly 300,000 injuries each year, costing employees millions of dollars in medical claims and lost-time work hours. Program covers all the major elements related to fall incidents, including the correct selection, use and maintenance of fall-protection equipment. Other key concepts covered include the effects of falls in the workplace and identifying and correcting various types of fall hazards and dangers.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn how to eliminate fall incidents at their work locations, subsequently avoiding costly injuries and lost-time work hours.
*Fire Safety/Fire Extinguishers – Participants learn the “hands-on” basics of operating and maintaining fire extinguishers as well as how to fight and extinguish various types of electrical, liquid and natural gas fires.
Benefit/Value: Employees are trained on what to do and what actions they can take prior to the local fire department's arrival at a fire or fire-related emergency.
*Flagger Training – Work zones can be very hazardous places and the ability to safely control and route traffic, equipment and others through a work zone is paramount to protecting workers, people and property. IDOT-approved course teaches employees basic flagging procedures, including the use of traffic cones, hand signals, barriers and other means to ensure worker, traffic and equipment in designated areas.
Benefit/Value:
*Forklift Operations/Certification – Whether an employee is an experienced driver or brand new driver, safely transferring material, products and machinery throughout a plant or warehouse with a lift truck is essential to maintaining productivity and avoiding facility damage and employee injuries.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn to become safe and responsible fork-lift/fork truck operators.
Fusing and Fuse Coordination – The proper sizing and matching of fuses with electric generation equipment and facilities is not only essential for guaranteeing electric system reliability and safety.
Benefit/Value:
Handling Difficult Customers – Dealing with irate customers is an art which requires a combination of tact and diplomacy. Program teaches customer service and other front-line personnel helpful ways to deal with difficult customers and situations, including how to defuse a potentially hostile encounter.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn how to maintain good customer relations as well as promote overall goodwill while fulfilling their day-to-day service responsibilities.
*Hazard Communication – Program trains employees on how to recognize and respect the hazards associated with chemicals and their usage. Also emphasizes the best practices necessary to reduce the risk of exposure and prevent incidents.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn about the nature of hazardous chemicals and substances, health hazards, safe work practices, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), container identification and labeling, as well as learning to avoid the costly and dangerous incidents oftentimes associated with such substances.
Health & Wellness– Emotional, mental and physical well-being are essential elements to maintaining overall employee productivity and personal health, both at home and at work. Program offers employees tips on how to strike a balance between home, work and personal life, including the role nutrition, diet, exercise, extracurricular activities and other factors play in maintaining personal health and well-being.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn techniques for coping with work-related stress and problems, leading to healthier, more productive and happier lifestyles.
*Hearing Conservation & Protection – Program centers upon how the ear works and the effects prolonged exposure to loud noise have on hearing. Other key topics covered include hearing conservation programs, the effects of noise, audiometric evaluation and testing, and the function and use of various types of protective measures and devices, such as earplugs, headphones and the like.
Benefit/Value: Reductions in hearing-related incidents and activities in the workplace can leader to lower costs as well as a safer and more productive work environment.
Heat Stress Prevention/Summer Weather Precautions – Each year, thousands of workers are overcome by heat stress and heat-related disorders. Program features preventative measures for reducing the chances of suffering from heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Explains how the body handles heat, the various types of heat-related disorders, recognizing symptoms and how to assist co-workers suffering from heat stress.
Benefit/Value: Recognizing the symptoms of heat stroke and taking corrective actions are vital to preventing heat stress incidents from occurring, minimizing any negative health effects of a stroke and quite possibly, saving a life.
Herbicide Application/Vegetation Control – Program focuses upon the proper use/ application of various types of herbicides, aerial sprays and chemicals used to control weeds, unwanted tree and shrub growth around energy facilities and work-plant property.
Benefit/Value:
Ladder Safety – Program emphasizes the selection and use of various types of ladders for different work situations. Employees learn about selection guidelines, ladder inspection, pre-setup procedures, actual set-up and safe work practices.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn how to choose the right ladder for the job, thereby avoiding costly falls, injuries and accidents.
*Lock Out/Tag Out – Course motivates employees to recognize the potential hazards of stored energy as well as the need to follow established safety procedures in order to reduce energy-release accidents and incidents in your plant or workplace. Provides and overview of lockout/tagout procedures, various lockout/tagout devices and the role of affected personnel and the importance of communication in the LO/TO process.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn to recognize the potential hazards of stored energy as well as how to comply with OSHA training requirements.
Machine Guarding – Program details the full range of machine guards, their use and maintenance, and follow-up inspection and testing. The absence of machine guards in a workplace, are a common cause of citations during inspections.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn the proper function and use of such guards, which help prevent disfiguring, disabling and even fatal accidents.
Meter Reading Precautions (Dogs, Customers, etc.) – Reducing the incidence of dog bites, animal attacks, poison ivy and other dangers encountered by meter readers throughout the course of their routines are among the keys to keeping these employees healthy and safe.
Benefit/Value:
*Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Course covers the proper selection, use, inspection, fitting, care and maintenance of various types of personal protective equipment (PPE), including such items as footwear/steel-toed work boots, fire-retardant clothing, eye goggles, hard harts, earplugs/hearing protection and similar gear.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn to “match the right equipment for the job” as well as IDOL requirements regarding the availability and on-the-job use of such items.
Pole-Top and Bucket Rescue – Effective and successful rescue of an incapacitated co-worker atop a utility pole or from an electric line truck bucket is the prime focus of this essential line-worker training program. This program combines timed drills and demonstrations with a review of safe rescue methods and procedures utilizing a 170-pound mannequin nicknamed “Tuff Kelly.”
Benefit/Value: Electric operations personnel learn the techniques to conduct a successful rescue, safely and without further injury to a victim.
*Respiratory Protection – Effective respiratory protection can mean the difference between life and death as well as help prevent lung damage and/or lung-related illnesses. Program covers the importance of the respiratory system, how potential hazards can impact workers' health and safety, types of respirators and their functions, and the proper use and care of such equipment.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn the proper use of respirators and various types of air-purifying devices to prevent injuries, illnesses and other accidents.
Scaffold Design and Set-up Safety – Properly-erected scaffolds provide a safe, elevated work surface to efficiently perform tasks when ladders and other lift devices are not feasible or practical. Course covers proper assembly, erection and dismantling of scaffolds, types of scaffolds used, as well as potential hazards and remediation.
Benefit/Value: Employees learn of safe scaffolding use and methods to avoid disabling injuries, property damage and even death.
*Sexual Harassment Prevention – Program teaches employees how to recognize potential sexual harassment and to proactively prevent it. Examples of office environments and manufacturing settings are used to illustrate recognition and prevention techniques. Also covers such topics as casual touching, pursuing after-hours relationships, using sexual language and blatant sexual advances and comments.
Benefit/Value: Avoid costly sexual harassment and sexual discrimination lawsuits and promote overall employee harmony and teamwork.
Spill Containment – Program effectively demonstrates best safety practices for spill prevention, containment, cleanup and decontamination.
Benefit/Value: The attendee will know the importance of preventing and containing spills. He will also be exposed to the best techniques for preventing, minimizing, and cleaning up spills that might occur during the course of operations.
Slips, Trips & Falls (Prevention) – With an aging American workforce, injuries related to falling are more common and more devastating. This class will emphasize the importance of preventive measures that be can be used to reduce the impact of an employee being injured due to a “slip, trip, or fall”.
Benefit/Value: By preventing “slips, trips and falls” the employees will enjoy the benefits of a safer work environment. Lost time accidents should be reduced, and expenses related to injuries should be decreased.
Staking Sites – This class teaches utility workers how to stake construction sites. It also instills a basic understanding of what the markings of the various utilities means.
Benefit/Value: An improperly marked site or a site where markings are improperly interpreted can result in costly and dangerous accidents. These dangers not only threaten utility personnel, but nearby citizens, property and livestock. The goal of this class is to train utility personnel in methods of safely, clearly, and efficiently marking construction sites.
Steam Generation Issues – The steam generation class reviews basic steam generation concepts, steam generation operation, and steam generation maintenance.
Benefit/Value: By learning to maintain and operate steam generation assets more safely and efficiently, a community can reduce costs and lost time accidents.
Streetlight Troubleshooting – Most utilities have a significant investment in street lights and yard lights. Students will be instructed in methods for diagnosing equipment problems related to the operation of streetlights and yard lights.
Benefit/Value: Improperly operating lights can waste electricity in the daytime or fail to provide light during the nighttime hours. By learning to diagnose problem lights, the utility can reduce its operation and maintenance charges.
Stress Management – Managing and reducing stress are essential to maintaining overall employee health and well-being, two key factors affecting attitude and job performance. Program offers tips for dealing with stress and stress-related events, including relaxation methods and techniques.
Benefit/Value: Having well-adjusted employees can help improve productivity, minimize the incidence of on-the-job accidents and injuries and reduce employee absenteeism and illnesses.
Substation Operation and Maintenance – Designed for new employees and those not familiar with the hazardous conditions inherent in a substation, this program covers basic safety rules for conducting operations within a substation, including the movement of vehicles, gin poles and other such equipment as well as the guarding of energized components and equipment. Program will also cover techniques of maintaining and operating a substation in the most efficient manner possible.
Benefit/Value: Heightens employee awareness of the dangers of working in such a facility and the need to follow established safety procedures and requirements.
Toxic Substance Exposure and Control – This program will train employees on how to recognize, handle and toxic substances in the work place.
Benefit/Value: Course attendees should gain a strong appreciation of the importance of recognizing and avoiding contact with toxic substances. Employees will learn basic techniques used while handling materials that present a toxic risk.
Transformers and Tap Points – Transformation equipment is the backbone of every electrical system. This course is designed to familiarize the student with the theoretical and “hands on” operation of transformers, taps, etc.
Benefit/Value: By learning to maintain and operate transformers more efficiently the whole distribution system becomes more efficient and reliability is increased. Increased reliability means decreased outages and lower maintenance expense.
Tree-trimming Safety – Tree trimming safety is of paramount importance, especially in areas where older trees have grown into the proximity of the community's power lines, telephone lines and various other operations.
Benefit/Value: This course will teach the employee how to safely operate basic tree trimming equipment. It will also show the student how to safely lower branches so that they can be disposed of in a safe and efficient manner.
*Trenching and Shoring – Improper trenching and shoring techniques can result in severe injury and even death. The culprits causing a catastrophic event can range from improper use of equipment, failure to recognize unstable soil conditions, to the use of inferior shoring techniques. Surprisingly, improper rescue techniques can also do more damage than good.
Benefit/Value: This course will train the student in proper techniques for digging and shoring trenches, gauging soil conditions, and rescuing workers trapped in a collapsed excavation.
Underground Cable Splicing and Terminations – Improper cable splicing and termination techniques can result in injuries and increased expense. This class is designed to familiarize the student with the basic techniques used for splicing cables and creating terminations.
Benefit/Value: The municipal utility should experience less lost time accidents and higher levels of efficiency by increasing the level of safety and efficiency of creating splices and terminations.
Underground Distribution Maintenance – As more and more customers demand underground service, it becomes more and more important to develop techniques to expand and repair your underground electric system.
Value/Benefit: Workers will be trained in methods used to work safely and efficiently with underground systems. Higher levels of safety and efficiency can translate into less injuries, fewer lost time accidents, and lower system expense.
Vacuum Switch Maintenance – An improperly maintained vacuum switch can result in equipment failure that can threaten equipment and operational reliability. On some occasions it can result in employees who can be exposed to potential harm. This class is designed to familiarize the employee with Vacuum Switch maintenance techniques that are designed to help protect employees and municipal equipment.
Benefit/Value: Properly maintained equipment results in increase reliability, decreased expenditures for replacement equipment, and higher levels of safety for municipal employees and citizens.
Welding Safety – Welding is a fundamental skill that is used in many facets of the municipal utility business. From system maintenance and system advancement, safe welding skills are a necessary skill for many workers.
Benefit/Value: Employees who use welding equipment will be trained in safety skills related to the use of welding equipment. This includes the appropriateness of an assortment of welding safety skills that can be used in a variety of workplace situations.
Wellness Program – It is often easier to prevent an injury rather than curing an injury. This training item has been developed to emphasize the importance of physically and mentally preparing employees for the everyday operations that they will face in the modern workplace.
Benefit/Value: Wellness programs are designed to prepare employees to face the physical and mental stress that is encountered in the 21st century work environment. By reducing the adverse effects of mental and physical stress, an employee should become healthier, more satisfied, and more productive.
Workplace Ergonomics – Most back injuries, torn muscles, and joint strains are preventable. Improper body alignment while lifting a box or working a keyboard can result in injuries that can plague an employee for his or her entire life. This program will explain proper lifting and operational techniques that help eliminate injuries related workplace operations.
Benefit/Value: Techniques taught in this class will help reduce back injuries, joint sprains, and the likelihood of suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Workplace Violence Prevention – Workplace violence is becoming a more common work environment issue. From employee to employee violence and intimidation, to dealing with belligerent customers, the workplace is becoming an ever more violent place. This class is designed to help workers detect the symptoms of impending violence and develop the social tools and techniques to defuse situations where potential violence is identified.
Benefit/Value: If potential violence is identified and defused, be it from (or to) a fellow employee or customer, then physical and psychological injury can be avoided.
Work-Zone Safety- There is numerous safety issues related to working in traffic, near mechanical equipment, and the general public. This class is designed to highlight the techniques and equipment used to create and maintain a safe working environment.
Benefit/Value: Attendees will be instructed on how to best manage the safety issues related to specific work environments. By creating safe work environment, the number of accidents, injuries and “unusual events” should be reduced or severely limited.
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