Tulsa area water and wastewater operator
D Water and D wastewater classes will be held April 23-26 at Tulsa Community College in Tulsa. To enroll, call (405) 733-7488.
All operators needing C Water Lab Certification
There will be a class April 30 through May 3 at the Training Center in Midwest City. Space is limited so sign up early. To sign up, call (405) 733-7488.
The 1973 Union City, Oklahoma tornado, shown here, was the first tornado captured by the National Severe Storms Laboratory Doppler radar and chase personnel. The tornado here is in its early stage of formation. Photo courtesy of NOAA.gov.
By Bill Clark
We are getting into the severe weather months. While out working at your water or wastewater treatment system be weather aware. Have a weather radio or stay tuned to your local radio station. Severe storms can pop up quick. Make sure you know where you will take cover when the tornado siren goes off. Make sure all of the operators at your system or in your community know where to go if there is a tornado warning. Make sure you have plenty of flash lights with extra batteries. Be prepared.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch – Conditions are prime for the development of severe thunderstorms with large hail, severe lightning and damaging winds.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning – severe thunderstorms have developed in our area and produce large hail, severe lightning and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph.
Tornado Watch – Conditions are present for the development of tornadoes.
Tornado Warning – A tornado has been seen in your city or the National Weather Service has one indicated on their radar.
Larry Cook, Contract Environmental Education Trainer at OETC
Q: What training do you teach?
A: Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Water Operator Certification Courses Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Operator Certification Courses
Q: Why would someone be interested in training at OETC?
A: OETC is a state-of-the-art facility that caters to professional adults. The OETC offers training in a multitude of different fields and professional capacities. Students who attend training at the OETC can expect a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The courses offered are taught by local professional that actually currently work or have previously worked in the field in which they are teaching. The OETC instructors teach from personal experience and not just from a textbook. All course materials are current and updated as new information comes available.
Q: What can someone expect while taking the training?
A: Students can expect to be taught by the highest quality instructors in the area. Most of the instructors have at least 10 years of actual hands on experience in the water and wastewater fields which vastly compliments their textbook knowledge. These same instructors have the unique ability to relate the course material to their own personal experience and actually give the students a good mental picture of what they are learning.
Q: What are the benefits of this training?
A: Once the student successfully completes their training, they are qualified to sit for examination through the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Once the student passes the ODEQ examination they will be certified to work in either the water or wastewater industry. The benefits to this certification are endless.
A student will be hard pressed to find a more stable professional field than the water and wastewater industry. Here is why. Water is the one commodity that mankind cannot live without and cannot be replaced by a man-made product. Everyone needs water for hydration, irrigation, production, etc. As long as we continue to use water we’ll have to continue to clean it prior to returning it to nature. Absolutely everything that occurs in life requires the use of water in one facet or another.
The DEQ Interactive TV is no longer available. It has been replaced by the following online classes. You just need a computer with Internet access and Microsoft PowerPoint. To enroll in an online class, call (405) 733-7488.
Two classes available online; one on wastewater system operation and the other covers basic bio-monitoring. Currently, there is no charge for online renewal classes. OETC also has the following renewal classes if you don’t have computer access. Call (405) 733-7488 to sign up for any class. There will be morning and afternoon classes for each class. When you call, please specify which class you want. There is currently no charge for these classes.
By Bill Clark
What is the definition of a confined space? According to OSHA, a confined space is defined as an area large enough for entry with a limited ability to enter and exit and is not intended for continuous occupancy. If you have to duck, crawl, climb or squeeze into the space then it is more than likely a confined space. That means a water and wastewater systems has numerous confined spaces.
If a confined space, as identified above, has any one of following hazards then it is a permit-required confined space; oxygen deficiency, the potential for buildup of toxic or explosive gases, engulfment and chemical hazards.
Photo courtesy of OSHA.gov
Employers are required by OSHA to evaluate all work places and identify all permit required confined spaces. Employers are required to provide training to all employees who enter permit-required confined spaces.
Examples of permit-required confined spaces are: wastewater lift stations, manholes, wastewater collection systems, meter pits, valve pits, storage tanks and chemical feed systems that are underground.
According to OSHA you must monitor the atmosphere in a permit required confined space with calibrated gas detectors continuously.
For more information on job responsibilities and other OSHA confined space requirements, go to OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.146 or your DEQ water or wastewater study guide.
Some gases in confined spaces that can kill you are odorless and colorless. Think and test the air before entering a confined space. Remember your confined space training ‑ use the buddy system.
Chlorine Gas Facts – When chlorine gas mixes with water one of the products produced is concentrated hydrochloric acid, which means when chlorine gas gets in your eyes it’s like splashing concentrated hydrochloric acid in your eyes, and you could go blind. If you inhale chlorine gas into your lungs it will mix with the moisture in your lungs and also make hydrochloric acid, which would be like drinking hydrochloric acid. This makes chlorine gas a very deadly gas. OSHA requires whenever you work with chlorine gas you must have two people present one in the chlorine room and one outside observing. This is the OSHA mandatory two-man policy.
Chlorine gas characteristics:
DEQ Chlorine gas facility construction requirements
Training
All personnel who work with chlorine gas must be properly trained before working with it. If personnel are going to respond to chlorine gas leaks, OSHA requires they complete a 40-hour HAZWOPER class first and then have proper training on leak repair. Everyone who changes out chlorine gas bottles must be fit tested for a respirator and be trained on wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
Don’t take chances with your life wear all the proper personal protective equipment including an SCBA whenever you are changing out a chlorine gas bottle. Owners are required by law to supply operators with all of the required safety equipment they need to work safely.
Robert Krueger
Instructor for Rose State College, Water Treatment Plant Operator & Lab Tech
What training do you teach?
I teach all level of training Water & Wastewater Operator and Lab.
Why would someone be interested in training at OETC?
OETC has a solid support group within its organization. This enables anyone taking the training here to be assured that all forms needed and paperwork necessary will be handled in the most professional way, making sure each person is verified to take the test, all college credits available being issued to each person, and all DEQ training hours being sent in to DEQ.
What can someone expect while taking the training?
Clean and completely set up classrooms, with all study material required for the class from
knowledge information, as well as math and lab skills [the students will need]. Several practice tests [are given] to assure comprehension of material.
What are the benefits of this training?
Each class has been streamlined to give as much information and training on the subject matter of each class. A format that is designed to maximize the ability to remember as much information possible, helps produce positive test results. Math taught in a step-by-step format rather than the overcomplicated algebraic method [is also a benefit] because the most important thing for all of us is not only being able to pass the test level we are training for, but to be able to use that information easily in the field.
These rules are there to save your life. Think about your family the next time you’re thinking about jumping into a trench without cave-in protection even for a few minutes.
rscoetc.wordpress.com 