Following is a brief description, in alphabetical order, of IMUA's most popular safety training and seminar topics available through IMUA's 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.
Aerial Lift/Bucket (Bucket Truck) Safety – Program identifies the many aerial lift and bucket hazards and reviews the various equipment requirements regarding aerial lift operation and safety. Program also focuses on how to properly inspect and maintain equipment, as well as the precautions necessary when working in or near an aerial lift in order to prevent accidents and injuries.
Arc-Flash/Arc-Blast Protection & Prevention/ High-Voltage Safety – Identifies the causes and risks of arc flash and outlines the implementation of safe work practices and procedures when working on or near energized electrical equipment. Program also discusses the procedures for preventing an arc flash accident, the identification and wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to respond to an arc flash.
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, load-carrying and unloading techniques. Program also teaches best safety practices and combines a demonstration of heavy lifting and moving techniques.
*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 for successful demonstration of resuscitation compressions, etc. Attendees receive a certification card noting their successful completion of the course following the approximately four-hour program.
*Confined Space Entry and Rescue – Among the leading causes of occupational fatalities in the country, confined space entry is a dangerous activity that 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.
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.
Drug Awareness – Program covers the dangers of substance abuse in the workplace, including how to identify the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol use on the job. Provides an understanding of basic alcohol and drug-testing rules and requirements, as well as how to make reasonable suspicion determinations.
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.
*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.
*Flagger Certification/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. This 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.
*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.
*Hearing Protection – Program centers upon how the ear works and the effects prolonged exposure to loud noise has 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.
Job Briefing Basics – Performing an effective job briefing before the start of every project or task significantly contributes to the prevention of accidents and injuries. Reviewing with crew members the various hazards associated with a particular job or project prior to its undertaking is an essential element of an effective job briefing, one which helps ensure worker safety and security, as well as successful project completion. Program outlines the key elements to be covered by an effective job briefing, among them: hazards associated with the job; work procedures involved; special precautions and risk mitigation; personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements; and, emergency response information.
Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) – This program identifies the purpose of JHA and outlines its many benefits. Program provides an understanding of the JHA process, including how to analyze jobs effectively in order to detect and correct hazards.
Ladder Safety – Occupational injuries and fatalities caused by ladder falls remain a serious public health concern. Currently ranked among the top 10 list of most commonly cited OSHA safety violations, ladders account for eight percent of all occupational fatalities from trauma. 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.
*Lock Out/Tag Out – Lock Out/Tag Out refers to the specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected start-up of machinery and equipment. This program 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 an overview of LO/TO procedures, various lock out/tag out devices, the role of affected personnel and the importance of communication in the LO/TO process.
*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.
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.”
Power Tool and Hand Tool Safety – Program identifies the various hazards associated with hand tools/power tools and outlines the precautions necessary to prevent accidents and injuries. Also provides an understanding of common safety practices for specific types of tools.
Slips, Trips & Falls (Prevention) – Slips, trips and falls are a serious safety problem, whether at home, outdoors or on the job/in the workplace. This session covers how to identify, avoid and eliminate slip, trip and fall hazards, as well as how to prevent falls from heights and on stairs. Program also covers how to minimize injuries if you do fall.
*Trenching and Shoring – Improper trenching and shoring techniques can result in severe injury and even death. The culprits causing a catastrophic event can include improper use of equipment, failure to recognize unstable soil conditions, and the use of inferior shoring techniques. Surprisingly, improper rescue techniques can also do more harm than good.
Winter Safety/Cold Weather Precautions – Provides an understanding of how the body reacts to cold and outlines best practices for working in cold-weather conditions. Program also covers how to recognize and respond to cold-related illnesses and injuries, the risk factors involved in working outdoors and what preventative measures to take in order to work safely in cold-weather conditions.
Worksite Protection - Proper set-up of a work zone is essential to ensuring the safety and security of workers, equipment, motorists and the general public. This program covers such things as the proper placement of cones, signs and equipment, as well as what measures should be taken to help ensure general worksite safety for all parties involved.