The Electric Utility System Operation Short Course & Smart Grid Course, presented by Skip Collier, will be held at IAMU August 2nd-5th.

For more information, click here.

The Iowa One Call Newsletter has a brand new look, and is still full of new content for Excavators, Utilities, and anyone who's digging in Iowa.

Click here for more information and the latest editions.

IntelliCorp is pleased to offer IAMU members the tools to help make responsible and informed hiring decisions.  Our comprehensive background check services let you screen applicants to help minimize risk and determine the quality of your new hires.

IntelliCorp is waiving the $125 set up fee for current IAMU members in addition to service package discounts.

View the offer here.

Emerald Ash Borer University, a collaborative effort of Michigan State and Ohio State Universities, has a series of webinars available for online viewing on the emerald ash borer.

View the webinars here.

According to OSHA, a hazardous atmosphere means an atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (that is, escape unaided from a permit space), injury or acute illness from one or more of the following causes:

• Flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10% of its lower flammable limit (LFL).
• Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL (This concentration may be approximated as a condition in which the dust obscures vision at a distance of ≤5’).
• Oxygen enriched (>23.5%) or oxygen deficient (<19.5%) atmospheres.
• Atmospheres where any substance regulated by OSHA (1926 Subpart G or 1910 Subpart Z) is in excess of the PEL or dose. For air contaminants for which OSHA has not determined a dose or PEL, other sources of information, such as a material-specific SDS, can provide guidance in establishing accetable atmospheric conditions.
• Temperates extremes (too hot or too cold).
• Any other atmoshperic condition that is immediately dangerous to life or health. IDLH conditions are considered to pose an immediate or delayed threat to life (some effects of toxic materials may not be noticed for 12-72 hours after exposure); would cause irreversible adverse health effects; or would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a permit space.
  

Always maintain your monitoring equipment according to manufacturer's directions.

Air monitoring is the most important part of any Permit Required Confined Space program. Using your sense of smell to determine the presence of toxic gases may be deadly. The only way to safely detect a hazardous atmosphere is with a calibrated direct reading instrument.

IAMU is planning a large Equipment Demo and Exhibit Day on our training field for later this summer.

Associate and utility member pricing with details will follow.

IAMU General Counsel Tim Whipple was called to testify before the United States Senate’s Judiciary Committee by Chairman Grassley about the abuse of a federal immigration investment program. Senator Grassley’s office was appreciative of being able to represent Iowa’s experience with the program in his efforts to reform it and IAMU was proud to be called to testify.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEJc2DKF-Eh/?taken-by=senatorchuckgrassley&hl=en

http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/the-distortion-of-eb-5-targeted-employment-areas-time-to-end-the-abuse

April 18 was designated National Lineman’s Appreciation Day by a resolution that won unanimous approval in the U.S. Senate. 

Senate Resolution 95 honors "the contributions of these brave men and women who protect public safety," noting that lineworkers are often first responders during storms and other catastrophic events, "working to make the scene safe for other public safety heroes."
 
Lineworkers "put their lives on the line every day with little recognition from the community regarding the danger of their work," said the resolution, which was cosponsored by Sens. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo.

Go to http://www.linemanappreciationday.com/ for a small tribute video celebrating the hardworking, innovative, and dedicated men and women lineworkers of this nation.

IAMU will be hosting the 2016 Plastic Pipe Joining - Fusion & Mechanical - & Operator Qualification Workshop, May 3rd & 4th, 2016.

This workshop is designed for gas distribution system fusion technicians and distribution operators who work for municipal utilities or contractors.

Annual fusion qualification is required by the Office of Pipeline Safety (49CFR Part 192.285)

For more information, and to register, click here.