Overhead School
Overhead School
| Date: | September 13-16, 2016 |
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| Time: |
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| Location: | MMUA Training Center, 1004 Michigan Road, Marshall, MN Get Directions |
This event is now closed for online registration | |
Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association and our partners, Minnesota Rural Electric Association and American Public Power Association, are pleased to announce the 2016 Overhead Lineworker School. The class lineup offers something for all levels of lineworker. Read through the information carefully and make your selection according to your interests and level of expertise.
What You Will Learn
GENERAL SESSIONS
Tuesday, September 13
The Buried Truth Uncovered–Video and Discussion
This video describes the experiences of Eric Giguere who, at the age of 27, was buried alive while working in 6’ deep trench. Eric’s co-workers were forced to make very difficult, split-second decisions in order to save his life. The accident changed everything for Eric, including his relationships with co-workers and family. This moving story is a first-hand reminder of the importance of having an attitude of safety – in everything we do. Discussion/review of lessons learned following video.
Friday, September 16
- 2017 National Electric Safety Code – Key Changes
- 2017 APPA Safety Manual – Key Changes
- 2016 National Rodeo Recap
- 2017 State Rodeo Discussion
HANDS-ON TRAINING SESSIONS
Class 1: Trouble Shooting & Pole Replacement
Instructor: Todd Keach and Matt Tupper, Rochester Public Utilities
This class will challenge the apprentice and first step journeyman lineworker. Students will trouble shoot a damaged 3-phase pole, which has an underground riser (primary) attached. The class will also be responsible for replacing the damaged pole by setting a new pole in the same hole—all while the overhead line is energized. Please bring your approved climbing gear/fall protection.
This class is entirely hands-on training and will cover:
- Strategy development for rubber gloving work
- Using tailgate forms to identify hazards
- Setting up a safe work zone
- Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Demonstration of proper tools and proper use
- How to place a bucket for optimal use
- How to work efficiently from belt and hooks
- Proper cover-up procedure
- Proper de-energizing and grounding procedures
- Safe energized gloving procedures from an aerial device
- Review of applicable safety rules
Class goals include:
- Properly secure damaged pole
- Safely remove underground primary riser and install on new pole
- Proper methods working with Hot Arms
- Safely remove damaged pole
- Safely install new pole
Class 2: Overhead Maintenance
Instructors: Roger Moltzan, Detroit Lakes Public Utility; Darren Weber, Elk River Municipal Utilities
Overhead system maintenance is of the utmost importance when it comes to preventing that major outage. This class will challenge the apprentice lineworker up to first step journeyman. Participants will have the opportunity to practice several different trouble shooting techniques including testing, grounding and proper rubber cover up. A primary goal will be to focus on becoming proficient at system maintenance while adhering to all safe work practices and methods. Please bring your approved climbing gear/fall protection.
This class is entirely hands-on training and will cover:
- Strategy to system maintenance
- Review of applicable safety rules
- Using tailgate forms to identify hazards associated with the job
- Setting up a safe work zone
- Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Demonstration of proper tools and proper use
- Proper bucket truck placement for optimal use
- How to work efficiently from belt and hooks
- Proper cover-up procedure
- Proper de-energizing and grounding procedures
- Safe energized gloving procedures from an aerial device
Class goals include:
- Cutout change outs
- Replacing damaged cross-arms and equipment
- Lightning arrestor replacement
- Completing underground risers
- Repairing damaged overhead conductors
- Additional tasks if time permits
Class 3: Advanced Rubber Gloving
Instructors: Miles Heide and Wade Williams, Fairmont Public Utilities; Colten Berghuis, Austin Utilities
This class is designed to challenge the 3rd, 4th year apprentice including journeyman lineworkers looking to improve or enhance rubber gloving skills. This advanced class will focus its efforts on “Working it Hot.” Class participants will be asked to develop a safe strategy to approach the task of installing a new pole within an energized three phase line.
This hands-on class includes digger derrick operations and related safety procedures and equipment.
Class goals include:
- Developing a safe strategy for “Working it Hot”
- Preparation for rubber glove work
- Specific rubber gloving hazards
- Understanding Minimum Approach Distance (MAD)
- Using tailgate forms to identify hazards associated with the job
- Setting up a safe work zone
- Demonstration of proper tools and proper use
- Blocking automatic reclosing (Hot Tags)
- Truck operation and setup
- Install new pole in energized three phase pole-line
Class 4: Rigging For Lineworkers – How to Safely Lift Equipment Using Ropes, Knots, Splices, Blocks and Slings
Instructor: Al Czeczok, MMUA
This class is designed to challenge all levels of lineworkers. The class will start with the basics and work into the more complicated and technical knots and rigging useful for today’s lineworker. Participants in this course will tie and rig using the appropriate knots, hitches, and rigging to accomplish many different tasks over the 2 days of this session. Participants in this class will need climbing gear; please bring your own.
This class is entirely hands-on training and will focus on lineworker rigging work methods and safe work procedures.
Class goals include:
- General safety and work practices related to rigging and knots
- Rigging principles
- Safety factors
- Understanding friction
- Mechanical advantage
- Knots, bends and hitches
- Lifting and lowering
- Working load limits
- Load control
ADVANCED LINEWORKER CLASS
Class 5: Class 5: Moving Up The Leadership Ladder – Smoothing Out The (Often) Awkward Transition
Instructors: Steve Johnson, Electric Operations Manager, Marshall Municipal Utilities; Dave Hunstad, Hutchinson Utilities; Joyce Hottinger, Assistant Human Resources Director, League of Minnesota Cities; Mike Willetts, Director of Training and Safety, MMUA
Developing and promoting leaders from within the crew is often desirable with public power and can be very effective, yet the new leadership role can be somewhat overwhelming and awkward for the workers during the transition. For the transitioning leader, adjusting to and learning the new role—how to manage friendship, asking the right (and avoiding the wrong) questions during an interview, maintaining records, fostering a healthy and safe work environment, while working to accomplish all of the duties—can be a tricky road to navigate. The course will be taught by multiple instructors, covering a variety of themes: leadership, developing and maintaining a positive safety culture, legal responsibilities and time management to name a few.
This Advanced Class will primarily be classroom training and will cover:
- Understanding the changing dynamics of being a friend and leading a coworker
- Leadership and human resource skills
- Building a good work and safety culture
- Accident investigation
- Record keeping, safety rules and meetings
- Effective job briefings
- Preventive and reactive maintenance
- Yearly inspections
- Equipment testing
- Rules and regulations
- Mutual aid preparedness
This class is intended for the emerging new leader: The lineman with advanced responsibilities, journeyman lineman, crew leaders, foreman or others in the field seeking leadership training.
LINEWORKER RODEO: Obstacle Course Challenge
This Thursday event is open to all classes of lineworkers. The obstacle course will consist of climbing up through and over crossarms, transitioning to a new position at a different level. At each level there will be another task to perform before proceeding on to the next. This is a fun event which demonstrates good climbing skill and safe working practices. A trophy plaque will be awarded to the person with the best time and the fewest infractions.
OPTIONAL EVENING ACTIVITIES - Wednesday
(These activities at participant’s expense)
- Golf
- Sporting Clay Shoot
Overhead School Schedule
What to Bring
Hands-On Class:
- Hard Hat
- Safety Glasses
- Work Gloves
- Work Boots (no tennis shoes allowed)
- High Visibility Clothing–appropriate for the weather
- Rain Gear (just in case)
- Fall Restraint. Classes generally involve climbing—required regardless of experience.
Advanced Class:
- Note Pad and Pen/Pencil
- Calculator
- Hard Hat
- High Visibility Clothing–appropriate for the weather
Certificates
Participants earn 18 hours for attendance and a certificate of achievement will be available online. Watch for an email notification from MMUA.
Registration Fee
$440 per student for members; $690 per student for non-members. All fees increase $50 on August 25.
Registration fee includes workshop tuition, materials, Tuesday evening pizza, Wednesday and Thursday lunch, refreshment breaks and a certificate of achievement.
Cancellations/Refunds
MMUA charges a $25 processing fee/person for registrations cancelled on/by August 31, 2016. MMUA must be notified by 4:30 pm on August 31, 2016 to qualify. Sorry, no refunds issued for cancellations after August 31.
Marshall Hotel Information
For a map of hotels in Marshall, click HERE. The AmericInn and Ramada offer special pricing for participants. Just ask for MMUA's reduced rate when making your reservation. The Training Center is located in the upper left corner of the map.
Questions?
If you have questions about the program and its content, contact Cody Raveling at MMUA. His phone number is 507-380-9578 or email craveling@mmua.org.
If you have questions or problems with registration or reservations, contact Theresa Neddermeyer at MMUA. Her phone number is 763-551-1230 or email tneddermeyer@mmua.org.
To download a printable version of the Underground School brochure, click HERE.
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electric utilities have
successfully operated
for 100 years or more.