​Fall is almost here and that means Public Power Week and Public Natural Gas Week are just around the corner. Each is celebrated the first week of October (October 2-8). Plan now so you won’t be scrambling in a month. 

​Public power utilities across the United States celebrate Public Power Week to help customers and stakeholders understand how they can better engage with their community-owned utility and benefit from all its offerings. American Public Power Association (APPA) member utilities can use the sample resources and templates to spread the word and help celebrate in your communities.

​Public Natural Gas Week is a nationwide observance that offers the perfect opportunity for natural gas utilities to show their systems and generate enthusiasm about the benefits of public natural gas.
 
American Public Gas Association (APGA) has developed sample materials to help APGA members celebrate the week in their communities. 

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities’ Safety Services will be holding an OSHA Multi-Employer Citation Policy webinar. This webinar will address the following:

Under the OSHA Multi-Employer Citation Policy, “more than one employer may be citable for a hazardous condition that violates an OSHA standard.” Any employer that exposes one of its employees to the hazards created by an unsafe condition, even if the employer didn’t create the hazard, may be subject to an OSHA citation. Attend this seminar to learn how OSHA classifies each employer under the multi-employer citation  policy.

*A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to participants upon confirmation of participant’s full attendance in webinar.

Who Should Attend?
Clerks, Administrators, Managers, and Supervisors

Webinar Time and Length:
Tuesday, September 20th, 2022 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

All registrants will receive an email from Zoom by September 19th with the webinar link. Please provide the email you want this to be sent to on your registration.

Cost:
$70 per IAMU Member participant
$90 per Non-IAMU Member participant

Questions?
Contact Margret Meade at mmeade@iamu.org , or (800) 810-4268.
​
For additional information and online registration, please click HERE ​

​IAMU is in search of a complete lead gooseneck water service line connection. We would like to borrow it as part of a demonstration during our hands-on water distribution workshop on September 21, 2022. Please contact Steve Marsh at smarsh@iamu.org or 515-210-8156 by Monday, September 19, 2022.

The POWERMAX® for Mobile Microgrids trailer is coming to five states from September 7–30. Join us for free, live demonstrations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska to learn about microgrid control systems benefits, including:

• Interfacing with diverse gensets.
• Optimizing dispatch for different operational objectives.
• Ensuring stability by maintaining generation and load balance.

SEL engineers will be on hand to demonstrate the benefits of a live microgrid control system and answer your questions.

Learn more and sign up here.

Google Business Profile is a free business listing from Google. You can provide details and photos of your utility or city, including your location and services.
Creating this free profile is a great way to increase your visibility across Google services. Information from your Google Business Profile may appear in Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping.
If people search for your utility using Google, they will see the profile on the right side of the first page of search results or on Google Maps. Even if you haven’t created a profile, your profile may show up based on information that Google has found for your utility or city. If this is the case, you may want to claim ownership of the profile so that you can manage it, making changes to it when and where needed.
 
Having a Google Business Profile is a good idea because Google is the world’s most-visited website. The site currently holds more than 92% of search engine market share. Most of your customers who are online are most likely using Google to look up information about your utility or city.
 
How to set up a Google Business Profile
You’ll need to have a Google account to get started. If you don’t already have one, creating one is quick and simple. Once you have a Google account or are logged into your Google account, you’re automatically logged into Google Business Profile Manager.
 

• Enter your utility name. If it does not appear in the drop-down menu, click Add your business to Google. Then select the appropriate category for your business and click Next.
• If you have a physical location customers can visit, select Yes. Then add your business address. If you didn’t enter a physical address, Google will ask you to specify which region you’re based in. Choose from the drop-down menu and click Next.
• Enter your business phone number and website address so customers can reach you. If you prefer not to be reached by phone, you don’t have to enter a phone number. When your information is complete, click Next.
• Enter your real physical address, not a post office box. This information is only used to verify your business and is not displayed on your Google Business Profile or shared with the public. Enter your address and click Next. 
• You’ll be offered the applicable options for verifying your account. Physical businesses will need to get a postcard by mail to verify their location. Service-area businesses can be verified through an email address. Once you receive your five-digit code, enter it on the next screen and click Verify or Verify business.
• You’ll get a confirmation screen showing you’re verified. On that screen, click Next.
• Enter your business hours, messaging preferences, business description, and photos. (We’ll get into the details of how to optimize your profile content in the next section of this post.)
• When you’re ready, click Continue. You’ll find yourself in the Business Profile Manager dashboard.
• From here, you can manage your business profile, view insights, manage reviews and messages, and create Google ads.
  

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 2022 at the IAMU complex.  Please click HERE or visit the IAMU website for available dates. 

September 27th - 29th (Re-Certified class)
October 25th - 27th (Re-Certified class)
November 14th - 18th
December 13th - 15th (Re-Certified class)

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:

• There is a maximum of 8 participants per class session.
• Lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday.
• All participants will attend classroom days. Exams will take place on the Thursday of each class session. Depending on the number of participants, Wednesday evening and Friday may also be used for exams.
• Each participant will need to create an account with NCCER before class; step-by-step instructions are included with the study guide.  Please bring your account number with you to class.
  

For additional information about the classes and online registration for each event, click HERE.

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

On August 11, Safety Services Staff members Don Heck, Joedy Dennis, and Jackie Roberts were at Harlan to conduct OSHA required triannual Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) Operator evaluations for Street Department and Waste Water Treatment employees.  Previously, Jackie completed the operator certifications for the Harlan Municipal Utilities employees who operate forklifts.