Augusta, ME – The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards is hosting its no-charge safety courses for employers throughout March.
“Mainers and businesses want a safe work environment,” said Governor Paul R. Lepage. “Our SafetyWorks! program helps businesses avoid injuries, protect their workers and reduce injury-related costs like workers’ comp premiums and lost productivity. I encourage you to visit safetyworksmaine.com regularly for class listings, safety tips, and helpful information and resources.”
Courses are held at no charge to employers and their employees to ensure and promote safety in the workplace. The courses are held at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute at the Maine Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta unless otherwise noted.
Silica Awareness – Protecting Workers from Silica: March 2, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
What do street sweeping, sandblasting, dry walling, cutting stone or brick and working in a dusty environment have in common? All expose workers to silica dust, which can lead to silicosis – an often fatal lung disease – and other serious illnesses. Exposure to silica dust is so common and dangerous that OSHA is considering strengthening its rules. Learn about the health hazards of silica, the OSHA regulations and how to protect workers from overexposure.
Combustible Dust Safety Training: March 3, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
It is now well known that OSHA is focused on enforcing current recognized and generally accepted engineering practices for dust prevention. This course provides an overview of OSHA standards and the hazards associated with combustible dust generation in the workplace.
10-Hour General Industry Standards: March 4 and 5, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on day one and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30p.m. on day two
This one-and-a-half day course offers basic information on a variety of general industry safety and health standards (29 CFR 1910). Attendees who complete the course will receive an OSHA 10-hour course completion certificate. Class runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on day one and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on day two.
Ladder Safety: March 6, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wilton CareerCenter, 865 US Route 2E
Ladders are a major source of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. However, falls can be reduced if people use caution when climbing ladders or when working in places where falls are a potential hazard. This course will show participants how falls from ladders can be prevented through education that includes planning for their use, inspecting the ladder prior to use and using basic ladder safeguards.
Forklift Operator Training: March 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This class is designed for new operators. The instruction will involve classroom and hands-on training. Training will include performing a forklift inspection and use of the department’s “new forklift simulator.” This training does not meet the requirements to qualify the participant to be a “qualified operator.” Only the employer can provide such certification.
Mine Safety and Health Administration — Refresher: March 10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires all surface mining (ex: stone crushing, gravel pit, etc.) employees to receive eight-hour annual training. This one-day course will cover generic MSHA training. However,site-specific training will also need to be conducted once you return to your respective job sites.
Accident Investigation/Injury Analysis: March 13, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Presque Isle CareerCenter, 66 Spruce Street, Suite 1
When work doesn’t go as planned, accidents and near-misses happen. Investigating these incidents can prevent similar or even more serious problems from happening. Learn how to conduct a thorough accident/incident investigation and how to use your results to prevent future accidents.
30-Hour Construction Standards: March 16 through 20, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This five-day course introduces attendees new to construction safety and health to the OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926). Attendees who complete all five days will receive OSHA 30-hour construction course certificates.
10-Hour Construction Standards: March 23 and 24, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on day one and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30p.m. on day two, York County CareerCenter, 9 Bodwell Court, Springvale
This one-and-a-half day course gives basic information on several of the OSHA standards for construction (29 CFR 1926). Attendees who complete the course will receive an OSHA 10-hour course completion certificate.
OSHA Recordkeeping: March 26, 8;30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
This class provides thorough and comprehensive six-hour training for both new and experienced safety and human resources personnel. You will learn the OSHA rule (29 CFR 1904) regarding recording and reporting work-related injuries and illnesses as it applies to your organization. This class includes several hands-on activities on how to correctly fill out the required injury reporting forms. This class will include updates to the OSHA Recordkeeping Standard (29 CFR 1904) which went into effect January 1, 2015.
Practical Approach to NFPA 70E (National Fire Protection Association): March 26, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Bangor CareerCenter, 45 Oak Street, Bangor
In this class, you will learn how to protect workers from electrical hazards. NFPA 70E requirements will be discussed in layman’s terms.
Mine Safety and Health Administration: Refresher: March 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Washington County Community College, Calais
The Mine Safety and Health Administration: (MSHA) requires all surface mining (ex: stone crushing, gravel pit, etc.) employees to receive eight-hour annual training. This one-day course will cover generic MSHA training. However,site-specific training will also need to be conducted once you return to your respective job sites.
Employers interested in registering can learn more and register at http://www.safetyworksmaine.com and clicking “More Classes” from the homepage. Space is limited so reservations are required.
Source: ME DOL