SAFETY WORKS!! Maine Department of Labor Offers Workplace Safety Classes Throughout July. Space Still Available in Springvale!

Department of Labor Offering Workplace Safety Classes in July

Class registration or 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) Space is available for classes in Augusta, Springvale and Wilton. AUGUSTA—The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards is hosting its no-charge safety courses for employers and employees throughout July. Visit the class registration page or call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) to register for any class. “Creating a safe workplace is an important part of a successful business,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “SafetyWorks! offers classes that teach people how to work more safely. A strong track record of safety not only helps employees, but keeps workers’ comp and other costs low. Visit safetyworksmaine.com to learn more about how to create a culture of safety in your workplace.” Courses are held at no charge to employers and their employees. Courses are held at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute at the Maine Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta unless otherwise noted. Automotive Lift/Jack Stand Safety and Compliance: July 6, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This half-day course provides training on the proper operation of multiple types of automotive lifts, jacks and jack stands, inspection, compliance reporting, training, and documentation required by various inspecting agencies. The course will provide the information needed for a safer workplace, which helps eliminate citations and can possibly lower a company’s workers compensation insurance. The course will have both classroom and hands-on training. Life Safety Code 101: July 7, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This class will provide a working overview of National Fire Protection Association Standard 101 Life Safety Code for fire and life safety in the building environment. Topics covered will include classification of occupancy types, adequate means of egress, occupant load factors, and occupancy specific hazards to fire and life safety. The Life Safety Code is adopted in the State of Maine as the state code for fire and life safety in buildings. 10-Hour Construction Standards: July 9 and 10, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 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. Class runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on day one and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on day two. Forklift Operator Training: July 13, 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 participant to be a qualified operator. Only the employer can provide such certification. Fire Extinguisher/Emergency Action Plan: July 15, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In this class, you will learn about Emergency Action Plans as well as various types of fire extinguishers and how to maintain them. This is a hands-on class. Those attending this class should come prepared to discharge a fire extinguisher. Lifting/Rigging Safety: July 16, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lift planning is essential to safe lifting practices. This program provides a basic understanding or review of your knowledge about lifting safely in the workplace. Determine what you may need for a lift and what type of equipment to use including communication through signals, written or verbal plans. Bloodborne Pathogens Train-the-Trainer: July 17, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If your job responsibilities involve occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, this course is for you. This class will instruct you on how the OSHA standard (29 CFR 1920.1030) applies to non-healthcare employers. This training is designed to provide an understanding of bloodborne pathogens, common modes of transmission, methods of prevention, developing an exposure control plan, and required training for employees. Training materials will be provided. Accident Investigation/Injury Analysis: July 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Springvale CareerCenter, 9 Bodwell Court 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. Scaffolding and Fall Protection: July 21, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In this class, you will learn the types of scaffolding and proper setup while learning how to protect workers from falls and when you must use fall protection. The instructor will explain the OSHA requirements for scaffolding and fall protection, including the definition of competent person. The eight-hour program will include a demonstration of the proper setup of scaffolding. Attendees must wear the appropriate PPE to class. Establishing an Effective Safety Committee: July 23, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. One of the greatest steps to success in injury reduction and prevention is the collaborative involvement of workers, supervisors and managers in the workplace. This class will give you the skills to put a dynamic committee together or strengthen the work of existing teams. It will provide models for hazard assessment, accident review and “near-miss” reporting. It will help you analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your program and give you a game plan for greater success. How to Conduct a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Assessment: July 24, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This course is designed to assist you in developing a PPE standard and how to organize your PPE needs. Employers must conduct a hazard assessment before requiring employees to use PPE. The assessment provides information needed to select the appropriate PPE for the hazards at the workplace. Learn how to conduct a hazard assessment in this hands-on class. Video Display Terminal Train-the-Trainer: July 30, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wilton CareerCenter, 865 US Route 2E Maine’s Video Display Terminal (VDT) law requires employers to train VDT operators how to work safely at the computer. This class will prepare trainers, supervisors and safety team members to recognize the hazards VDT operators are exposed to and eliminate them. Interested employers can learn more about the courses and register at http://www.safetyworksmaine.com , click "More Classes" from the homepage. Space is limited so reservations are required. SafetyWorks! is not OSHA and cannot issue fines or citations to private businesses. While SafetyWorks! helps businesses of any size, priority is given to small businesses. The program trains about 8,000 people and consults at nearly 1,000 worksites in Maine each year. Employers interested in learning more about the consulting and training services offered by SafetyWorks! should call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or visit http://www.safetyworksmaine.com . The Bureau of Labor Standards is Maine’s regulatory agency overseeing labor and employment law and workplace safety; it provides both consultation and enforcement services. The division promotes and achieves compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of Maine’s workforce. The State of Maine is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.