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IAMU has received a supply of infrared thermometers from the State of Iowa for distribution to our members. We have set up the link below for members to request them. We will work on getting them either delivered or shipped to you.
https://members.iamu.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=16625940
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Iowa's Drinking Water and Wastewater operators, pre COVID19, took proctored, standardized certification exams either at DMACC Southridge Computer Lab or, by appointment, at one of the IDNR Regional Field Offices. Due to the ambiguity of when these venues will again be open to the public, Iowa is offering "remote proctoring". On November 20th an operator will be able to take their Drinking Water or Wastewater certification exam on any computer that has a camera and microphone.
Once they log in on the link provided by the testing company via email their browser is frozen; a proctor can see them through the camera; their surroundings are monitored for extra materials or cheating; and the test session is recorded for future reference if there is any cheating suspicions or accusations. The testing company will provide a YouTube Video and live customer support for any technical issues arising during a "remote" session. Once we are up and running all our backlogged exams could be cleaned up pretty quickly, potentially within a couple of days, and if we have to shelter in place again down the road there will be no interruption in examination services. Post Covid19, our operators will have two options for exam delivery: "remote proctoring" and our traditional method of on-line at an IDNR Field Office or Community College computer lab. How do operators get signed up for a remotely proctored exam?
Please direct any questions to the IDNR Operator Certification Program at Elizabeth.feilmeier@dnr.iowa.gov or (515) 725-0463.  EARTH EX is one of the largest cross-sector training and awareness exercises in the world focused on resilience and preparedness. Over 41 countries were represented in EARTH EX 2019. This year’s exercise is focused on the Electromagnetic Pulse and Cyber threats to our shared critical infrastructure. EARTH EX is free, self-facilitated and self-evaluated. There are seven Functional Areas to choose from, with one specifically for Individuals and Families suitable for everyone to play. Click here to register for EARTH EX. Register now and play anytime you want. The registration link will provide you with access to all of the training and exercise materials. EARTH EX 2020 - Available for play through 31 October. EARTH EX is a free, self-facilitated, and self-assessed exercise. For more information email earthex@eiscouncil.org  Ahlers Client Alert - Department of Labor Issues Updates to FFCRA Regulations (Effective 9/16/20)9/17/2020 By Attorneys Danielle Haindfield and Carrie Weber
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA") is scheduled to remain in effect until December 31, 2020. The FFCRA provides additional paid leave for employees under certain qualifying conditions such as a quarantine order, diagnosis of COVID-19, or to care for a child whose school is closed due to the pandemic. On September 11, the U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL") issued revisions and clarifications to its existing regulations that interpret and apply the FFCRA. This action was in response to an August federal court decision out of the Southern District of New York that invalidated parts of the existing regulations. The revisions will be effective September 16, 2020. The court decision and subsequent DOL adjustments affect four areas of the regulations: (1) The work availability requirement: The DOL regulations continue to require that an employer have "work available" for an employee to be eligible for FFCRA leave. Accordingly, employees who are furloughed or laid off are not eligible. The DOL emphasized that employers cannot withhold work simply to impede an employee's ability to take leave - the unavailability of work must be due to legitimate, nondiscriminatory, nonretaliatory business reasons. (2) Intermittent Leave: Employees must still get permission from their employer to take intermittent leave under the FFCRA. Specifically, DOL noted that it was attempting to "balance the employee's need for leave with the employer's interest in avoiding disruptions by requiring agreement by the employer for the employer to take intermittent leave." Importantly however, the preamble to the new regulations specifically addresses the common situation in which an employee's child participates in hybrid learning. For example, the child might only attend in-person school Tuesday/Thursday and be home Monday/Wednesday/Friday. The DOL concluded that each day of school closure "constitutes a separate reason for FFCRA leave that ends when the school opens the next day." Accordingly, employees are entitled to leave consistent with their child's hybrid school schedule, and do not need employer consent. This leave is not considered "intermittent" because it is due to the school's hybrid schedule and not the employee's choice. If, however, a school is closed and doing virtual learning, and the employee indicates a need to be home with his/her child only some of the days because the employee has daycare the other days, then the employee's use of leave on those specified days would require employer consent and be considered "intermittent leave." These leave days are intermittent because they are at the election of the employee and not directed by the school's schedule. (3) Documentation and Notice Requirements: Employees are not required to provide necessary documentation prior to taking applicable leave. Instead, documentation must be provided "as soon as practicable, which in most cases will be when the employee provides notice of" the need for leave. The DOL noted that if the leave is foreseeable, the employee should generally provide notice before taking leave. However, the DOL has reiterated that some leave is not foreseeable. (4) Definition of "health care provider": The DOL has significantly narrowed the definition of "health care provider" to include only employees who: (1) meet the definition of "health care provider" under existing FMLA regulations; or (2) are "employed to provide diagnostic services, preventive services, treatment services or other services that are integrated with and necessary to the provision of patient care and, if not provided, would adversely impact patient care." Health care providers are not entitled to FFCRA leave. Under the revised DOL regulations, health care providers include nurses or employees providing diagnostic, preventative, treatment, or other services "under the supervision, order, or direction of, or providing direct assistance to" a health care provider. Detailed information regarding the updates to the DOL's regulations is available here. The DOL's updated FAQ concerning the FFCRA is available here. If you have any questions about these changes or the application of the FFCRA generally, feel free to contact one of our Employment Law Practice Group attorneys. Due to the continued concerns related to the Covid-19 virus, the Electric Safety and Training Committee and IAMU made the decision to cancel the Underground Electric Workshop that was originally scheduled for this week. The committee and IAMU will continue to monitor the ongoing activities related to the virus and determine whether or not additional trainings scheduled for the future will be cancelled. Thank you for your patience during this challenging time.
 The latest edition of IAMU's Toolbox Talks - When Does a Telehandler Become a Mobile Crane? is now available.
Click here to download it. Other Toolbox Talk articles are available here. If you have a Toolbox Talk idea, please send it to Margret Meade. IAMU has resumed the Mobile Crane Operator certification classes and you may register @ https://members.iamu.org/events/event_list.asp or contact Margret Meade @ 515.210.6617 or mmeade@iamu.org
The linked flyers can be printed and reviewed in a 10 minute tailgate or office safety meeting. Note – Most of the information refers to construction; however, it can easily be reviewed and discussed in the context of shop, office, library, and even at your home.
The following ZOOM meeting recording link is on Step Ladder safety. The recording will be available for 30 days. Topic: “Stand-Down for Fall Safety” - Step Ladders Meeting Recording: https://zoom.us/rec/share/n-FAYbuN8SKtq7Z-7grBF_Rm-gqRiTjWlTD93O1oZxp7cKVgxZn6Fr5djyxt90PI.vrA-RISbj_EurJND Access Passcode: X@6c&21Q Keep it safe and don’t hesitate to contact IAMU Safety Services if you have questions – pkittelson@iamu.org  Several OSHA standards—including those relating to construction and manufacturing—refer to the need for a “competent person” as a safety component.
What Is a Competent Person? While this is a commonly asked question, the answer isn’t always cut and dried. Companies usually have to make their own decision on which employees can serve as a competent person. That’s because there are no specific OSHA standards regarding competent persons. But OSHA’s definition of the term does offer a glimpse of what is expected of a competent person. A competent person has both the authority and experience in the job to evaluate and make critical changes in dangerous situations. These are often life-or-death occurrences so it’s vital that your company chooses competent persons carefully. Click here to read more in the latest EMC Loss Control Insights article. The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities will be holding mobile crane certification and examination classes for digger derrick, service truck, and mobile crane operators. OSHA’s updated crane standard REQUIRES that operators of lifting equipment be trained, evaluated and tested in order to obtain certification.
Background Information: Although the new standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, specifically exempts the digger derrick and the operator from meeting the requirements of the standard, the exemption applies only when it is used for work within the provisions of the power generation, transmission and distribution standards, or for construction work within the telecommunications standard. The exemption does not apply if the digger derrick is used for lifting materials or to operate in working environments outside the scope of the standard because the equipment is essentially being used as a mobile crane. For example, unloading materials from a truck, lifting a motor from a pump house to assist your water department, or providing assistance to any other city department will mean that the exemption no longer applies. When equipment is used as a mobile crane, all provisions of the standard apply, including the operator certification rule. OSHA also now requires that an operator be certified in specific areas when they operate equipment outfitted with a boom and winch and able to lift at least 2,000 pounds. This includes service trucks in your public works, or water departments. The new standard has very specific operator requirements, one being to obtain operator certification from an independent testing organization accredited by a nationally recognized organization. OSHA’s updated crane standard, 1926.1427 in Subpart CC, requires that for a testing organization to be considered accredited to certify operators, it must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency based on that agency’s determination that industry recognized criteria for written testing materials, practical examinations, test administration, grading, facilities/equipment and personnel have been met. IAMU is an Accredited Assessment Center through the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER). We are authorized to conduct both hands-on assessments and practical examinations which are part of our Mobile Crane Operator Certification Program. Additionally, we are offering Qualified Hand Signal Person and Qualified Rigger programs (available at a future date). Who Should Attend: Digger derrick and service truck crane operators who do not currently hold a mobile crane operator’s certification. What Do These Classes and Certification Consist Of: Classes will be a week long, requiring classroom instruction, an on-line exam that has a 80% pass requirement, a practical exam for certification of mobile crane, and then finally a short class and practical exam for the signalperson and rigging qualifications. Students who pass the written and practical exams receive nationally recognized certification from the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER). Where Do These Classes Take Place: IAMU Training and Office Complex 1735 NE 70th Avenue Ankeny, IA 50021 When Will Classes Be Held: Dates have been scheduled for the remainder of 2020 at the IAMU complex. Please click HERE or visit the IAMU website for available dates. September 21-25 October 19-23 November 9-13 December 14-18 Mobile Crane Operator Certification/Examination Class Schedule: Monday 9:00 to 4:30 p.m. Classroom Tuesday 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. Classroom Wednesday 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. Classroom/Exams Thursday 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. Practical Exams Friday (if needed) 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. Retake Exams Class/Exam Examination retakes are $100 and may be taken during any scheduled exam date. Additional Notes:
Questions? If you have any questions in regards to the classes, or requirements, please contact: Margret Meade, IAMU Safety Outreach Coordinator (mmeade@iamu.org ) Phone: (800) 810-4268 We are excited to announce that our annual golf outing will now be a fundraiser for the IAMU Scholarship Program (details will be announced in the coming months), and will award scholarships beginning in 2021.
Registration is open for the IAMU Golfing Fore Scholars fundraiser. This event, formerly Golfing Fore Safety, will be held at Briggs Woods Golf Course on Monday, September 21, 2020. Registration information and sponsorship opportunities can be found here. Sponsorships must be in by September 11th. See you there! For More Info: Contact IAMU at 515.289.1999 or email smarsh@iamu.org. Purchase a raffle ticket at the event for your chance at walking away $1000 richer! Thank you to Jester Insurance for their donation of the gift card. |
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