2014 Overhead School Outlines
September 9 – 12, 2014
General Session #1 – Fall Protection Information and Demonstration
Instructor: Bob Hall, Buckingham Manufacturing
- OSHA's new fall protection changes mandate that all workers are covered and 100 percent fall
protection is the rule.
With the new OSHA Fall Protection standard becoming enforceable soon it is important that
everyone understands the rule and its application and limitation. Along with learning the new OSHA
standard this class will offer hands-on pole climbing to help lineworkers better understand how to
select, utilize and adjust the new equipment so you can be a confident and effective climber.
Hands-on Class # 1 – Rubber Gloving:
Instructors: Gary Greenwald, MMUA; John Egan Sauk Centre Public Utilities; Brad Gunderson, Rochester
Public Utilities; and Lyon Lincoln Electric
This class is designed to demonstrate proper rubber gloving techniques and positive control
while transferring conductors between adjacent structures. In this class there will be different types of
three phase structures set where the conductors will have to be transferred from one structure to the
other safely. Proper tailboard briefings, rubber cover up, Lock out -Tag out, good communication
between ground personnel, truck positioning and maintaining minimum approach distances will be
emphasized in this session.
Hands-on Class # 2 – Transformer Banking
Instructors: Fairmont Public Utilities and Marshall Municipal Utilities
This class will consist of installing overhead transformers and wiring four different bank
configurations: WYE-WYE, WYE-DELTA, OPEN DELTA and DELTA-DELTA. Safe work practices, proper
connections and phase rotation will be covered here.
Hands-on Class # 3 – Backyard Easements and Construction
Instructors: Al Czeczok, MMUA
This class will work on pole lines that are considered to be in backyard easements which at times
are inaccessible to bucket and digger trucks. Students will demonstrate how to change out a
transformer using different methods that are commonly used in the industry using their belt and hooks.
Students will also change out a broken pole using only hand tools and rigging. Students will also stabilize
a broken pole with ropes and rigging along with other maintenance upgrades you might find in backyard
easements.
Hands-on Class # 4 – Overhead Maintenance
Instructors: Roger Moltzan, Detroit Lakes Public Utility; Mark Fuchs, Elk River Municipal Utilities; and
Russ Nelson, Austin Utilities
This class is designed for apprentices and first step journeyman lineworker. They will practice
lineworker safety procedures, testing, proper cover up and grounding. The focus will be on performing
safe work practices and methods.
The task training will include:
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Cutout change outs
Lightning arrestor replacement
Completing underground risers
Repairing damaged overhead conductors
Installing span guy/ setting swamp anchor
Additional tasks if time permits
If the maintenance class gets too large we will break the class up and assign them to another apprentice
project adding instructors to insure that we have a class that is of value to the apprentice.
Hands-on Class # 5 – Advanced Lineworker Training
Instructors: (to be determined)
Becoming an effective crew leader is of the utmost importance to the success of any electric
utility and line crew. This advanced leadership class will focus on best practices used by some of the
finest leaders in the electric utility business. Leading a line crew with respect and openness can be a
daunting task, but with the appropriate tools and training, a crew leader can be very effective and earn
the respect needed to cultivate and motivate a productive and safe work environment. This session will
cover:
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Record keeping safety rules
Building a good work and safety culture
Leadership
Effective job briefings
Time management
Lineworker Rodeo: Thursday late afternoon. A signup sheet will be available at registration.
Event name: Obstacle Course
This event is open to all classes of lineworkers from the first-year apprentice to the advanced
lineworker. The obstacle course will consist of climbing up through and over cross arms, transitioning to
a new position at a different level. At each level there will be another task for them 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 least amount of
infractions.
General Session #2 – Understanding OSHA's Final Rules 29 CFR 1910.269 and 1926 Subpart V
Instructor: Mike Willetts - Director of Training & Safety, MMUA
OSHA's Final Rule 29 CFR 1910.269 and 1926 Subpart V for Electric Power Generation,
Transmission and Distribution Work is finally here and now it's time to help you understand the changes
and explain how they will correspond within your workplace. Topics to be covered will include:
minimum approach distances, fall protection systems, host employers and contract employers, arc flash,
employee training, job briefings, grounding for the protection of employees and the list goes on.
2016 APPA National Lineworkers Rodeo - Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN
Instructor: Mike Willetts - Director of Job Training & Safety, MMUA
"Holy Moly!" Minnesota is going to host the 2016 APPA National Lineworkers Rodeo. Shakopee
Utilities and Canterbury Park have agreed to be the rodeo site and with MMUA and the MMUA
membership full support, it will be a fantastic event.
Mike will share the plan to how we collectively can make this rodeo one of the finest events
ever. Also we will have several rodeo competitors available in attendance to share their experiences and
expertise.