Articles in this newsletter:
Chemical manufacturers expand their safety procedures with programs from JJC
When the global adhesive manufacturer MAPEI Group in West Chicago reviewed its contingency planning for HAZMAT emergencies, Human Resource Manager Ron Ehredt called Joliet Junior College.
"Approximately five years ago, when we provided this training to a much smaller group of participants, Joliet Junior College presented Marlin Hartman to MAPEI as the resident expert in HAZMAT Training," said Ehredt. "Fortunately, Tom Kolner (Production Manager) who participated in the class remembered Marlin as a class 'A' instructor. Based on Tom's good memory, I called Joliet Junior College and queried as to Marlin's availability.ˇ Marlin was available and ready to support MAPEI's needs."
Hartman is an experienced instructor with JJC and specializes in teaching a variety of safety programs to business and industry. "Marlin is not only an expert in safety and OSHA regulations, he is a great instructor too," said Bruce Kuzmanich, contract training manager for JJC's Corporate and Community Services division. "Marlin knows how to present this material in ways that engage participants and help them internalize what they learn."
The MAPEI Group took two safety programs with JJC: One was the 24-Hour HAZWOPER program and the other was the Eight-Hour Incident Commander course. Both seminars were offered to MAPEI's functional managers, supervisors, and leaders and the learning process supported the team approach MAPEI was seeking. "Our focus was to engage our multi-faceted team in absorbing Marlin?s extensive HAZMAT knowledge and integrating his training sessions into practical ?real-world? applications for our operations," said Ehredt. "Marlin provided a multi-media approach: integrating video segments and role playing, while reviewing 'what if scenarios' applicable to our facilities."
According to Ehredt, the training gave MAPEI's lead people "a stronger base of knowledge for managing Hazardous Material" and made them "better prepared to address potential HAZMAT issues."
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist Dan Porterfield also appreciated Hartman's expertise. Porterfield works for Reichold, a chemical manufacturer in Morris, Illinois. Reichold specializes in producing unsaturated polyester resins for composites and coating resins for a variety of applications.
"I am responsible for developing and maintaining the health and safety, process safety, and emergency response programs at our facility," said Porterfield. "Joliet Junior College's safety courses are another way to help our employees achieve their full potential and enable them to fully understand the importance of working safely in a manufacturing setting."
Reichold has been using JJC for many years building a strong relationship of trust and accomplishment. "Our relationship with Reichold has always been one based on respect and a sincere interest in their needs," said Amy Murphy, director of Corporate and Community Services for JJC. "We have delivered many training programs for them which has given us a great track record of helping them achieve their goals."
Porterfield agrees. "Working with the Joliet Junior College staff is a joy," he said. "They are always there to assist me with my company's needs. JJC is a great resource for continuing education courses that have a direct impact on the area?s workforce."
Reichold recently contracted JJC to teach the Confined Space and Rescue program. It is a one-day course that was delivered to two different groups. "The focus of this program is to train employees how to safely enter permit-required confined spaces," said Kuzmanich. "The great thing about this course is that Marlin emphasizes the specific policies of the company that contracts us to do the training. It also meets the requirements of 29CFR 1910.146 which addresses the safety needs of employees exposed to hazard of entry into permit-required confined space areas."
To learn more about the safety programs at Joliet Junior College, call Bruce Kuzmanich at (815) 280-1512, or e-mail bkuzmani@jjc.edu. You can also visit the training website at www.trainingupdate.org.
Water. Rest. Shade.
Those are the three words OSHA hopes will save lives this summer.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is launching a national initiative by OSHA to educate employers and workers about the hazards of working outside in hot weather and how to prevent heat-related illnesses.
According to the DOL, thousands of outdoor workers experience heat illness each year. In most cases, workers experience heat exhaustion, but many times this can turn into heatstroke, a potentially deadly condition, if not addressed quickly.
"While employers in the construction and landscaping industry are most affected by hot weather on their workers, it is important for any employer with people working in very hot and humid conditions to be aware of ways to deal with heat problems," said Amy Murphy, director of Corporate and Community Services for Joliet Junior College (JJC). "That's why OSHA is promoting this campaign to educate employers and workers on how to prevent heat-related illnesses. We are trying to help too by communicating this initiative and offering on-site training to any employer who would like to train their workforce on ways to prevent heat-related illnesses."
Heat illnesses usually occur when the body temperature rises to dangerous levels. While the body normally cools itself by sweating, this is often not enough and many people begin experiencing heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
To prevent these conditions, OSHA recommends three simple words: water, rest, shade. By drinking water and taking breaks to limit the time in heat, the body has an opportunity to cool down. OSHA suggests that employers include these prevention steps as part of the workday. They also recommend that workers gradually build up to heavy work in hot conditions. This helps build a tolerance to heat. Work schedules should be planned accordingly.
"These simple recommendations can prevent a lot of potential heat problems," said Murphy. "Employers should also make sure workers have plenty of water on hand."
Symptoms of Heat Illness
Here are some quick facts about heat illnesses put out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Heat Stroke
This is a condition that occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. When not treated, it can cause death or permanent disability. Its symptoms include the following:
- High body temperature
- Confusion
- Loss of coordination
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Throbbing headache
- Seizures, coma
Treatment
- Request immediate medical assistance
- Move the victim to a cool, shaded area
- Remove excess clothing and apply cool water to the body
Heat Exhaustion
This is a condition that occurs when the body losses too much water and salt through sweating. Its symptoms include the following:
- Rapid heart beat
- Heavy sweating
- Extreme weakness or fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Irritability
- Fast, shallow breathing
- Slightly elevated body temperature
Treatment
- Rest in a cool area
- Drink plenty of water or other cool beverages
- Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
Heat Cramps
This is a condition that occurs when the body sweats a lot during physical activity depleting normal salt and moisture levels. Its symptoms include the following:
- Muscle cramps, pain, or spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs
Treatment
- Stop all activity, and sit in a cool dry place
- Drink clear juice or a sports beverage, or drink water with food (avoid salt tablets)
- Do not return to strenuous work for a few hours after the cramps subside
- Seek medical attention if the victim has heart problems, is on a low-sodium diet, or the cramps do not subside within one hour
"It is very important for people to understand how heat can affect them," said Murphy. "When everyone in the company understand the symptoms and knows what to do to treat them, more lives will be saved and fewer instances of heat illness will occur."
To learn more about the DOL initiative through OSHA, visit the OSHA website at www.osha.gov. For more information about OSHA programs at JJC, call Bruce Kuzmanich at 815-280-1512, or e-mail bkuzmani@jjc.edu.
DCEO releases grant money to train Illinois workers at JJC
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has announced the release of $82,500 in grant funding to Joliet Junior College's (JJC) Corporate and Community Services division. The money will be used to provide employee training to companies in the JJC area.
Because of this support, at least 500 local workers at 15+ Illinois businesses will receive training at JJC. The funding is part of the Employee Training and Investment Program (ETIP) block of grants that will be used to advance workforce skills to meet the demands of the new global marketplace. "This is an important funding initiative by the state," said Corporate and Community Services Director, Amy Murphy. "ETIP funding has a long history of providing funds to train Illinois workers."
Because the ETIP grant was designed to help Illinois workers keep pace with the latest skills and technologies practiced in industry, Illinois businesses have been able to increase productivity, reduce cost, improve quality, and boost competitiveness. These grants reimburse companies for up to 50 percent of the cost for this training.
"Thanks to DCEO's support, we are working with local companies to make sure their employees have the skills that are needed in a dynamically changing marketplace," said Murphy.
JJC offers many programs including courses in Advanced Digital Multimeter, Basic Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Electrical Diagrams and Circuits, Mechanical Power Transmission, Low Pressure Boilers Operation, Landscaping Maintenance, and Programmable Logic Controllers, to name a few. Other classes teach quality assurance, standardization guidelines, and safety measures. An experienced instructor who is deeply involved in his or her industry teaches each JJC course.
Past ETIP recipients who have worked with JJC expressed their appreciation for not only the funding help, but for the training delivered by JJC. "We were extremely satisfied with the quality of the training," said Joel Roff, human resource manager at Clearwater Paper Company. "Our workforce's skills and knowledge have shown significant improvement."
Steve Lagger, training coordinator for the CITGO Lemont Refinery agrees. "JJC is a valued partner in training at CITGO Lemont Refinery," he said.
Amy Murphy and her team of training professionals understand how the grant works and will help businesses complete the paperwork needed to receive financial assistance. JJC will also tailor training to the needs of every client. "Joliet Junior College took great care in meeting our needs for scheduling, type of training, and custom tailoring the training for our employees," said Matt Mirro, ISO Shift Supervisor for Oxbow Midwest Calcining.
JJC training programs are also thorough and provide a complete program to meet the needs of every client. "The program provided all the information we needed and created better safety awareness at Tuthill Pump," said Maintenance Supervisor, Carlos Bautista who felt that the instructor answered everyone's questions.
For information on participating in this grant, please contact Amy Murphy at (815) 280-1418 or e-mail her at amurphy@jjc.edu. Additional information can be found on our website at www.trainingupdate.org under grant opportunities.