THE BUZZ Electrical Training Institute Newsletter November 2017

Transcription

1 THE BUZZ Electrical Training Institute Newsletter November 2017 Electrical Safety in the Workplace We have all heard the saying: Safety is everyone s job. The first step towards safe work practices is to identify potential hazards before beginning work. Both customers and contractors have increasingly required electrical workers to be trained in the methods prescribed by the NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. To meet this demand, the Electrical Training Institute has incorporated NFPA 70E training for all inside wireman apprentices. The NFPA 70E curriculum is completely updated to reflect the changes made in the 2015 version. The class covers bolted and arcing fault current calculations, proper PPE selection, and arc flash risk. Arc Flash Simulator The NFPA 70E course includes access to the Westex Shock and Arc Flash Incident Simulator. This online tool allows students to create scenarios with different levels of arc rated clothing and then generate an arc flash event in a virtual environment. The resulting energy and damage of the incident is then provided for review. In This Issue Director s Desk New OSHA Silica Rule N.E.C. Corner Schedule of classes Our Fall 2017 Bootcamp participants preparing for a conduit hike

2 From the Director s Desk Greetings and Happy Holidays It has been an incredibly busy time at the Electrical Training Institute in We continue to expand the curriculum for our apprentices and have added a number of new Journeyman Improvement classes along with training for other classifications in our local. In the last year we have added Instrumentation classes, Building Automation classes and NFPA 70 E classes to an already stout curriculum for our five year apprentices. By going to the Blended Learning model of homework delivery, where the apprentices have to submit their homework online, it has allowed us the time to deliver more hands-on applications while they are at the training center which we believe is going to give us a more competent workforce once they top out. One year ago the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee agreed to purchase books for the apprentices that maintained a semester GPA of 90% or higher. I am happy to report that the first semester that this was in place we purchased the next semester books for 46 of our apprentices which was roughly 17%, this past semester we purchased the next semesters books for 54 apprentices which equated to 20% of the total number that are registered in the program. This is a testament to the old adage that hard work pays off! This past year we have had approximately 150 Journeymen attend upgrade classes in Confined Space training classes, OSHA 10 & 30, Masters Prep, Instrumentation (EPRI a & b), BICSI, and Telecommunications Upgrade classes for BICSI CEC s. We have also had to cancel a number of classes because of non-participation. If you are interested in taking any classes please call the training center and get on the list. If there are classes of particular interest please call me directly for discussion, if it is relative to our industry I would very much like to discuss your ideas. Beginning in the fall of 2016 we initiated a new more structured training program for Parallel Apprentices that lasts for two years. The topics of study are: Math, Code Competency, Conduit Bending, DC Theory, Blueprint reading, AC Theory, Grounding, Transformers, Motor Controls, Code Calculations, Telecommunication systems and a significant amount of hands on instruction to prove proficiency and competency in related tasks, and then a cumulative final test. Our first group is 75% complete and have been very good students. We believe they will make fine journeymen electricians for our local and their contractors. Our second group of parallel apprentices just started this fall and will top out in the spring of It is our intention to start a group just once a year and they are referred to us through the organizing committee at the union hall. So far everyone is pleased with the new restructured format. The Construction Electricians curriculum has been completely revamped too, the subject matters are: lift training, math, history of organized labor, introduction to conduit bending, switching, codeology, intro to telecommunications, electrical theory, OSHA 10, and first aid-cpr. This past school year we have had classes for CE 1 s, 2 s and 3 s as well as Electrician Helpers will bring about one big change for us, the new graduates of the apprenticeship program are going to be recognized at the Local Union Dinner Dance instead of having our own smaller graduation ceremony. Hopefully you have worked with one of the graduating apprentices and will come out and share a special evening with them. After their final exam on December 15 th we will post a picture on our website: so log on and see if you know one of our graduates! I sincerely hope that 2018 is a happy and healthy year for each and every one of you! Jim Patterson

3 Silica Dust Rules Aim to Protect Workers Crystalline silica is a mineral found in concrete, brick, block and mortar. When a worker cuts or drills into these materials, respirable silica dust is released into the air. As early as 1914, the U.S. Bureau of Mines began investigating the linkage between airborne silica dust and lung disease. Silica exposure has been linked to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease. Over the last couple years, OSHA has revised the Silica standard and lowered the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) from 250µg/m³ to 50µg/m³. OSHA s initial publication of the new Silica rule was made on March Employers were given 1 year to achieve compliance. OSHA then postponed the rule until September 23, In the new rule, Table 1 lists 18 tasks and the approved methods to meet compliance. An excerpt of Table 1 below shows the control methods acceptable when drilling. OSHA Statistics The Fatal Four for construction workers are responsible for more than 50% of work related construction worker deaths. Equipment/Task (vii) Handheld and standmounted drills (including impact and rotary hammer drills) Engineering and Work Practice Control Methods Use drill equipped with commercially available shroud or cowling with dust collection system Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions Dust collector must provide the air flow recommended by the tool manufacturer, or greater, and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a filter-cleaning mechanism Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum when cleaning holes The Fatal Four Falls accounted for 39.9% of Electrocutions accounted for 8.5% of The best method to reduce your risk is to avoid creating dust or working in areas where airborne silica is present. The use of wetted drilling and cutting methods is a proven technique to reduce silica dust. Another technology especially well suited to capturing dust from drilling and boring commonly performed by electrical workers is High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuums. Tool manufacturers have developed attachments for rotary drills, making dust collection a hands free, one worker operation. Both battery powered vacuums and traditional, cord connected vacuums are available. Struck by Object accounted for 8.4% of Caught-in/between accounted for 1.4% of

4 Emergency Power Systems National Electric Code Corner How is the NEC organized? Many electricians have difficulty finding a specific code reference when a question arises on the jobsite. Believe or not, the NEC is carefully arranged to break the entire text into smaller chunks. First of all, the NEC is comprised of nine chapters. Following chapter nine are the informative annexes. Chapters 1 through 4 apply generally to all electrical installations. Chapters 5 through 7 all have a common word in their title: Special. These chapters cover less commonly encountered installations such as hazardous locations, marinas, and swimming pools. How are individual articles organized? The general layout for individual articles begins with the scope which describes what the article does and does not cover. Next, article specific definitions are listed. It is important to understand that global definitions, those used in multiple articles, are located in article 100 Definitions, in contrast to article specific definitions which are located in the relevant article. For example, the definition for the electrical datum plane is listed in article 555 Marinas. In contrast, the definition for overload is in article 100 Definitions since it is used in multiple articles. Large articles such as article 250 Grounding and Bonding and article 430 Motors, Motors Circuits, and Controllers are broken into parts. Each part is assigned a Roman Numeral for identification. For example, article 430 begins with Part I General. Part II covers conductors, Part III covers overload protection, Part IV covers branch circuit short circuit and ground fault protection, Part V covers feeder circuit short circuit and ground fault protection, etc. Motor calculations are frequently a multi-step process. Understanding the layout of the article leads to a better informed and more efficient electrical worker. Article 700 in the NEC covers emergency power systems legally required and classed as emergency by municipal, state, federal, or other codes. These systems serve loads that are essential to life safety or health hazards including lighting, ventilation, elevators, and fire alarm systems. The integrity of an emergency system is only as good as the installation. The NEC provides specific requirements for installation these systems including identification at each box or enclosure, physical isolation from nonemergency wiring, and protection from flooding or fire. Care should be taken when working around existing emergency power systems. Improper modifications could prevent the system from operating properly in the event of an emergency.

5 NFPA 70E Motor Control, PLC & VFD May 7, 10, 14, 17 from 4:30-8:30 P.M. This class will cover the NFPA 70E guidelines for safe work practices around electrical equipment. Topics covered include incident energy calculations, approach boundaries, and flash protection using the proper PPE. Instructor: Mike Hopkins Class Fees: $85 Apr 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, May 1, 3, 8, 10 from 4:30-8:30 P.M. This class will cover relay based motor controls, programmable logic controller programming and wiring, and VFD concepts. Ladder logic, timers, counters, sequencers, and other topics will provide the participant with a broad exposure to motor control topics. Instructor: Jeremy Orcutt Class Fees: $25 Contact Us Give us a call for more information about our training opportunities Electrical Training Institute 1751 S. Lawndale Ave Indianapolis, IN (317) EPRI B Jan 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, Feb 1, 5, 8, 12, 15 from 4:30-8:30 P.M. cagee@iejatc.org The Electrical Training Institute is an EPRI Certified Testing Facility with all the test instruments and equipment necessary to offer certification in EPRI B instrumentation. Instructor: Paul Meyers Class Fees: $25 Visit us on the web at BICSI Mar 6, 13, 20, 27, Apr 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8 from 4:30-8:30 P.M. This class will prepare you to take the BICSI Technician exam, which will be given at the training center the Saturday following the final day of class. Instructor: Andre Grocox Class Fees: $312 books / $275 test ($587 total) OSHA 30 Feb 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20 from 4:30-10:30 P.M. This OSHA 30 hour training course is designed for journeyman, foreman, and field supervisors involved in the construction industry. Topics include HAZCOM, fall protection, confined spaces, ladders, silica, and many more. Any member wanting OSHA 10 can attend the first two sessions for certification. Instructor: Jeremy Orcutt Class Fees: $30 BICSI CEC s: 10/30 Telecom Refresher Feb 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, Mar 1 from 4:30 8:00 P.M. This course is designed to meet the CEC requirements for existing BICSI Technicians. This course will involve both copper and fiber terminations in addition to review of new standards and codes as it applies to the telecommunication fields. Instructor: Andre Grocox Class Fees: $55 BICSI CEC s: 18 Masters Exam Mar 26, 29, Apr 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, May 3 from 4:30-8:30 P.M. This course will prepare the participant to take the Master Electrician s Licensing Exam. Code calculations such as branch circuits, residential services, and multifamily services will be introduced. Note: $100 exam fee not included in class fee. Instructor: Paul Meyers Class Fees: $310 BICSI CEC s: 48 Class Reimbursement Members who are currently out of work and on Book One can apply for class fee reimbursement through the union hall. Go to IBEW481.org and log in as a member. Under the members section, the necessary form is available. Need CEC s for BICSI? We have many classes that are BICSI approved for CEC s. Contact our office to schedule your class today.