The Iowa Utilities Board recently launched a new customer and company contact web application called IUB 24/7. Registration rolled out to Municipal Utilities on December 21 with a deadline of January 8. To date, only 25% of IAMU members have registered for IUB 24/7. If you have not done so previously, please register as a user in IUB 24/7 now!
0 Comments
The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, through the IAMU Education and Research Fund, is pleased to announce the creation of a scholarship program.
Each $1,000 scholarship will be distributed to the student. To apply, candidates must fill out and submit the scholarship application. Applications are due February 15, 2021 to scholarship@iamu.org. A minimum of four scholarships will be awarded. IAMU will announce the award recipients by May 1, 2021. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must:
Preference will be given to applicants entering a utility-related career with a special preference to applicants entering utility-related trades programs leading to careers in difficult to fill utility careers such as, as an example only, electric line worker, water treatment or distribution operator, or operator qualified natural gas positions. “IAMU is committed to supporting the future of Iowa and its municipal utilities,” said Troy DeJoode, IAMU executive director. “That commitment involves helping the next generation of professionals to get the education and training that they need. For the last several years, we have emphasized making high school students aware of the tremendous career opportunities that exist in public utilities. This scholarship program is an extension of that priority.” IAMU members are encouraged to share this scholarship information with their communities. You might post information to your social media account(s) and website, and submit information to your local newspaper and/or radio station. IAMU is sending an email about the scholarship to high school guidance counselors, but you might also consider reaching out to your local guidance counselors as well. If you have any questions about the scholarship program, please feel free to contact IAMU at scholarship@iamu.org. The new fiscal year for IAMU begins March 1st. IAMU members voted on and approved the upcoming year’s dues amounts at the annual meeting held on February 4th. IAMU sent out Affiliate and Associate Member dues invoices on Friday, February 5th, and is in the process of sending out Utility Member invoices.
Yearly Affiliate Membership increased to $450. Associate Membership remains the same as last year at $600. If an Affiliate or Associate Member wishes to pay dues online:
If you have any questions about your invoice, you may contact IAMU Staff Accountant Sara Lewis at slewis@iamu.org or IAMU Director of Finance Dawn Hyler at dhyler@iamu.org. For questions on your account at iamu.org, please contact IAMU Information Technology Specialist Josh Trout at jtrout@iamu.org. The Iowa Utilities Board recently launched a new customer and company contact web application called IUB 24/7. Registration rolled out to Municipal Utilities on December 21 with a deadline of January 8. To date, only 25% of IAMU members have registered for IUB 24/7. If you have not done so previously, please register as a user in IUB 24/7 now!
Congratulations to Cameron Youll of Lake View Municipal Utilities on completing the IAMU Apprenticeship Program and receiving his Certificate of Completion from the Department of Labor.
Cameron started the program in November 2016 and officially (and successfully!) finished on December 7, 2020. For information about the IAMU program, contact Bob Hiatt at bhiatt@iamu.org Here are 10 questions to ask yourself to help you safely use power tools on the job.
Click here to read the EMC Loss Control Insights article. An important truth in learning and communications is that everyone understands, processes, and retains information in different ways. Some people do better by seeing and reading, others by hearing, and still others by hands-on involvement. That’s why it’s crucial for your customer and employee communications to use various strategies to reach your intended audience.
Think about it: If you rely only on one approach – say, a newsletter – those whose main learning style involves hearing or interacting with information may not tune into your message at all – or if they do, maybe not as well as if you gave a presentation or organized an activity where they could participate. What’s more, using a mix of communication strategies catering to the various learning styles can reinforce messages. Information tends to “stick” with the intended receivers when they are exposed to communications multiple times and in multiple ways. A widely accepted approach to looking at learning styles is the VAK system that bases one’s learning preferences on the three main sensory receivers. In the VAK system, learning styles include:
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced final rules for Unmanned Aircraft (UA), commonly known as drones. The new rules will require Remote Identification (Remote ID) of drones and allow operators of small drones to fly over people and at night under certain conditions. These rules come at a time when drones represent the fastest-growing segment in the entire transportation sector – with currently over 1.7 million drone registrations and 203,000 FAA-certificated remote pilots.
Remote ID will help mitigate risks associated with expanded drone operations, such as flights over people and at night, and both rules support technological and operational innovation and advancements. “These final rules carefully address safety, security and privacy concerns while advancing opportunities for innovation and utilization of drone technology,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao. Remote ID (PDF) is a major step toward the full integration of drones into the national airspace system. Remote ID provides identification of drones in flight as well as the location of their control stations, providing crucial information to our national security agencies and law enforcement partners, and other officials charged with ensuring public safety. Airspace awareness reduces the risk of drone interference with other aircraft and people and property on the ground. Equipping drones with Remote ID technology builds on previous steps taken by the FAA and the drone industry to integrate operations safely into the national airspace system. Part 107 of the federal aviation regulations currently prohibits covered drone operations over people and at night unless the operator obtains a waiver from the FAA. The new FAA regulations jointly provide increased flexibility to conduct certain small UAS without obtaining waiver. “The new rules make way for the further integration of drones into our airspace by addressing safety and security concerns,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “They get us closer to the day when we will more routinely see drone operations such as the delivery of packages.” The Remote ID rule (PDF) applies to all operators of drones that require FAA registration. There are three ways to comply with the operational requirements:
The Operations Over People and at Night rule (PDF) applies to Part 107 operators. The ability to fly over people and moving vehicles varies depending on the level of risk a small drone operation presents to people on the ground. Operations are permitted based on four categories, which can be found in the executive summary (PDF) accompanying the rule. Additionally, this rule allows for operations at night under certain conditions. The final rule requires that small drone operators have their remote pilot certificate and identification in their physical possession when operating, ready to present to authorities if needed. This rule also expands the class of authorities who may request these forms from a remote pilot. The final rule replaces the requirement to complete a recurrent test every 24 calendar months with the requirement to complete updated recurrent training that includes operating at night in identified subject areas. Both rules will become effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The Remote ID rule includes two compliance dates. Drone manufacturers will have 18 months to begin producing drones with Remote ID, with operators having an additional year to start using drones with Remote ID. Read the full rules below. 86_FR_4390-4513 86_FR_4314-4387 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued revised COVID-19 worker safety guidance, which is available for reading and download HERE. The guidance is designed to help employers identify exposure and contraction risks for COVID-19 in the workplace, and to help you determine the appropriate control measures to implement. The revised OSHA guidance details key measures for limiting coronavirus spread, including providing information on the use of personal protective equipment, improving ventilation, good hygiene and routine cleaning.
Covid-19 does not have a specific regulation under OSHA; the new guidance does give descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards that do apply to keep employees safe, i.e. PPE, 300 logs, reporting requirements, respiratory protection, sanitation, and bloodborne pathogens. OSHA also has the General Duty Clause requiring employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace. Most of you have already implemented many of these recommendations and have the mandatory programs in place. What is new in this guidance is the recommendation to conduct hazard assessments as it relates to Covid-19. As a final reminder, the recommendations found in the guidance are noted by OSHA to be advisory in nature. |
Archives
April 2023
|