Tag: Training

Spring CISEC and CESSWI Certification Courses

Posted on by Dan Osborn

The CISEC and CESSWI erosion & sediment control certifications are scheduled to take place in Indianapolis and Ft. Wayne this spring. Either of the two certifications are a requirement of INDOT’s Recurring Special Provision (RSP 205-R-636) Storm Water Quality Management Level II Storm Water Quality Manager.

The CISEC training modules and certification examination are scheduled on April 12 & 13 at Richard A. Carlucci Recreation and Aquatic Center, 651 Vestal Road, Plainfield, Indiana 46168.

The CESSWI certification examination review courses are scheduled in Indianapolis and Ft. Wayne, March 17 and March 31 respectively. Locations have not been determined as of January 10. Please contact Melissa Parry, Envirocert Internation, Inc., to get additional information. CESSWI certification examinations are offered at PSI Testing centers.

Ten Important Reasons for Safety Training

Posted on by admin_ici

For most construction workers, wintertime is generally “downtime.” However, it is also a good time to conduct safety training without disrupting normal productivity. Safety training is essential to the success of a company’s overall safety program. Some workers may not always recognize the importance of safety training, or even think it’s necessary. Many are seasoned veterans who have been doing things the same way for years and have had nothing really bad happen…YET! In order to reap the full benefits of safety training, it is important to continually communicate its value and purpose.

Ten important reasons for conducting safety training include:

  1. Without periodic safety training, work becomes routine, alertness dulls and a relaxed attitude replaces caution that workers once had when the job was new. Routine work without the proper attention given to safety can increase the risk for accident or injury.
  1. Periodic safety training helps remind workers that danger always exists on the job. Whether a person has been doing a type of work for one day, twenty years, or somewhere in between, they are not immune to an accident. Accidents do not discriminate and can ruin your life.
  1. Safety training helps workers learn how to safely do a job and provides information to help them understand what they should or should not do.
  1. Safety training teaches what protective equipment to use, when to use it, and how to use it properly.
  1. Safety training contributes toward making workers competent in health and safety, and can help in avoiding the distress that accidents and ill health can cause.
  1. Safety training is essential to developing a positive health and safety culture, where safe and healthy working habits become second nature to everyone within the company.
  1. Effective safety training helps us understand that accident prevention is a priority, and that unnecessary accidents and injuries can result in financial hardships for a company and its workers.
  1. Safety training is an opportunity to provide information about near misses and other mishaps to help avoid falling victim to repeat incidents and hazards.
  1. Safety training can help employers avoid the experiences of damaged equipment and products, and the ill effects of lost production from work stoppages and unmotivated workers.
  1. OSHA and other laws require it.

Although the reasons mentioned above are equally important, we can all agree that embedding safety training into the normal activities of a workday helps to make it routine and helps keep safety at the front of our minds. Safety requires continuous discussion and instruction.

Safety training can occur in the form of a toolbox talk and other daily huddles to a more formally-organized setting. It is critical to regularly work toward improving safety knowledge. Teaching, educating and informing about safety practices must be a continual effort. Those few minutes of safety training at the start of the shift may prove to be the most important time spent all day.

Download the recording form here.

The Onsite Competent Person

Posted on by admin_ici

One of the most common misconceptions about designating a Competent Person on a construction site is the person with the most knowledge of the activity being performed, or the person who has attended training should be the Competent Person. In fact, that individual may or may not be the best person for the job. There are other factors that must be considered when making this designation. Also, this designation should not be confused with that of a qualified person.

OSHA defines “Qualified” as one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work or the project. A Competent Person observes specific job activities and is responsible for assuring that the work is performed safely. However, a certificate or card alone does not automatically make a person “competent.” The Competent Person must:

  • Be capable of identifying all workplace hazards relating to the specific operation (considering your particular type of work, process, equipment, tools, etc.)
  • Be designated by the employer. The task is often assigned to a foreman or supervisor, but anyone can be designated as a Competent Person if they have the proper training and experience. In most cases, the safety duties assigned to the Competent Person are in addition to his or her normal duties on the jobsite. However, on some large projects, being the Competent Person can be a full-time job.
  • Have authority to take appropriate actions to provide a safe workplace, correct unsafe conditions and stop work.

OSHA standards require a Competent Person to be at the work site performing or observing certain tasks. Companies are often cited by OSHA because they don’t have a Competent Person overseeing activities onsite. Below is a partial listing of OSHA standards that require a Competent Person to perform specific functions:

  • Excavating and Trenching
  • Fall Protection (scaffolds, ladders, stairways)
  • Hearing Protection (noise measurement)
  • Material Handling (rigging equipment, cranes and derricks)
  • Material Hoists, Personnel Hoists and Elevators
  • Concrete and Masonry Construction (lift-slab operations)
  • Steel Erection (bolting, riveting, fitting-up and plumbing-up)
  • Demolition (preparatory operations)
  • Blasting
  • Lead and Asbestos Handling

A Competent Person is a key individual on every jobsite. Their inspection and guidance are for your protection and safety. Respect and listen to them. It could save your life.

Download the recording form here.