TRAINING COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
These courses are available at each local union where facilities are available for either classroom or hands-on activities. Please call your local union or the Training Fund at 1-800-478-0058 to discuss course schedules and enrollment. Please refer to the FAQ and schedule pages for training locations and course dates.
Aerial Work Platforms, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP)
Beginning on December 19, 2019 a newly adopted American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard will take effect that requires updated manufacturers safety devices be installed and updated training requirements be implemented for all previously manufactured equipment and trained individuals to update their certifications under the new ANSI standards. Anyone who has received training and certification in the past on these elevated work platforms must re certify under the new training requirements.
LIUNA Training of Eastern Pennsylvania is offering this updated training certification by currently enrolling in the classes for the Mobile Elevated Work Platforms.
This course provides updated certification training for individuals that are seeking to operate ANSI A92.24 – Type 3, Group B, Boom Lifts, 8-hour class.
ANSI A92.24 – Type 3, Group A, Scissor Lifts, 8-hour class. The courses are 8 hours for each lift group, or 16 hours (2 days) for both. Operational limitations, safety considerations and OSHA and ANSI requirements are covered using these Mobile Elevated Work Platforms.
There are knowledge assessments and hands on performance evaluations for these pieces of equipment.
Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Course
The 40-hour Asbestos Abatement Supervisor course focuses on the hazards of being exposed to asbestos, the specific safe work practices of abating and preventing fiber release of asbestos containing materials, supervisor responsibilities, engineering controls, final clearance testing and personal protective equipment used on the asbestos abatement project. During this course, the trainees have an opportunity for group discussions concerning legal rights of the workers, supervisors and hands-on exercises. A fee will be provided to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from the Training Fund, upon successful completion of the class, which expires in one year from the successful completion date of the class.
Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Annual Refresher Course
The 8-hour Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Refresher course is designed to meet the refresher course requirements of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania state regulations and OSHA standards. Trainees are presented with updated information regarding new regulations, equipment, work practices, and other related information. Completion of the Asbestos Supervisor Refresher provides continued eligibility for state certification under the EPA Model Accreditation Plan adopted by the states. A fee to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be provided by the Training Fund upon successful completion of the class.
Asbestos Abatement Worker Course
The 40-hour Asbestos Abatement Worker course focuses on identification and sampling methods of asbestos abatement work places. Health effects of occupational exposure to asbestos and work place regulations are necessary topics covered in the class. There are group activities that provide instruction on building temporary containment structures and using negative air pressure in the containment areas to accomplish simulated abatement techniques of wet removal methods, encapsulation, building enclosures and using glove bags. The use of personal protective equipment and engineering controls are emphasized. There is a fee provided to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from the Training Fund after successful completion of the course. Certification is only valid for one year from the successful completion of the class.
Asbestos Abatement Worker Annual Refresher Course
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Labor and Industry requires all certified Asbestos Abatement Workers complete an annual refresher in order to remain current in the abatement industry. The 8-hour class provides all of the necessary update training to accomplish this. There is a fee provided by the Training Fund, to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the successful completion of the class.
Composite Pipe Fusion Techniques
This 8 hour course provides training and hands-on experience in safe use and operation of the equipment used for fusing various composite pipe materials. The fusion process involves using facing equipment and heat plate times and temperatures to achieve optimum results of fusing composite pipes together.
Concrete Placement and Finishing
This course covers estimating concrete quantities, site preparation, job built concrete forms, concrete admixtures, placement and consolidation of concrete, finishing and curing the placed concrete and concrete repair. The course is a great introduction to working with a concrete crew as safety considerations and hands-on practice is covered for each of these topics.
Concrete Reinforcing (Rod Tying)
The Concrete Reinforcing course provides the necessary skills, through hands-on application, for workers on the highway to tie steel rebars to specifications. Six different ties are demonstrated on four separate work stations. OSHA revised Fall Protection Standard (1926.501) is discussed and hook off procedures using the full body harness and positioning devices are demonstrated and used for tying steel on vertical ascents.
Confined Space Entry in The Construction Industry
This is a 24-hour class that provides training for using permits for certain confined space entries at construction work places. The topics include atmospheric monitoring, employer’s confined space entry program, controlling atmospheric hazards, controlling hazardous energy (lock out/tag out), respiratory protection and the use of personal protective equipment, hands-on activities, the duties and responsibilities of the entrant, attendant and entry supervisor.
Flagging and Traffic Control
The 8-hour class provides certification training under the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation guidelines and special provisions for flaggers on roadways open to motorists to show documented successful training that is valid in Pennsylvania. Penn Dot Publication 213, Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Pennsylvania typical applications are covered. This training must be repeated every three years in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for certified flaggers and traffic control workers.
Foreman Preparedness
A 40-hour course that provides the prospective foreman with techniques associated with leadership in the construction industry. Topics covered are communications, print reading, construction math, project organization, documentation and insurance protocols. OSHA construction standards, dealing with people and problem solving are done through group discussion and actual scenarios. This course is offered to journey workers upon recommendation of a signatory contractor or business manager.
General Construction Skills
This class provides an introduction, through skills training to many tasks traditionally performed on construction projects by Construction Craft Laborers. Topics presented in the class include: basic construction math and measuring techniques, the identification and use of hand tools, safe work practices and hands on training using gas, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and powder actuated power tools, construction materials and fasteners identification, hearing loss prevention and soil compaction techniques, heat stress prevention, lifting techniques for back injury prevention and an introduction to oxy-acetylene torch cutting. Respirable crystalline silica dust is also discussed and hazard prevention techniques are used.
Global Positioning Systems for the Construction Industry
This is a 40-hour class that covers the use, limitations, set up and operations of Topcon Positioning Systems. Elevation and alignment control on construction projects through the use of United Sates GPS and Russia’s Glonass satellite systems are utilized by Topcon through online satellite almanac predictions. The skills of using these receivers and transmitters is extremely desirable for accuracy on construction sites. There are planning techniques using data collectors and rover unit tasks that are used in hands-on applications during the course.
Hazard Communications with the Global Harmonized System
This 8-hour class provides instruction using Material Data Sheets and employer written Hazard Communications Programs to find information that will protect workers when using products that contain hazardous chemicals. Chemical labels and lists are also discussed for work place protection for employees. Hazardous products used in construction are explained to trainees so that they can take responsibility for their own safety. An emphasis is placed on new regulations that have recently gone into effect from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration pertaining to Hazard Communications.
Hazardous Waste Worker Course held at Exton, PA or Pittsburgh, PA
This 40-hour course complies with the OSHA minimum requirements (1910.120) of 40 hours initial off-site instruction for workers involved in Hazardous Waste Operations under CERCLA, RCRA, state, or local governments. Some of what the course covers are legal rights, health effects, hazard recognition, and site safety and health plans. It also includes safe handling, sampling, air monitoring techniques, and community relations. Workers are required to complete simulated hands-on exercises on mock hazardous waste sites. Completion of the course carries EPA Certification for the Hazardous Waste Worker.
Hazardous Waste Worker Refresher Course
In this 8-hour course workers review their personal experiences as employees on hazardous waste sites. Subjects include: Hazard recognition, health effects of exposure to hazards, heat stress, use, care and limitations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ensembles. Decontamination, site safety and health plans are also reviewed. This course fulfills the annual requalification requirements to maintain the Environmental Protection Agency Certification for Hazardous Waste Workers as specified in the OSHA standard 1910.120.
Hoisting, Rigging and Signaling Course
This 40-hour training program provides Construction Craft Laborers with successful completion certifications and best work practices regarding ground personnel used for safe crane operations, hand signals and voice command signaling techniques, load types and locating center of gravity procedures, safe rigging techniques with sling configurations, electrical hazards when conducting a lift, load weight limits and stability of load transport. There are several hands-on components including sling types and construction, crane lifting techniques, documented equipment inspection procedures, performance evaluations for each trainee, and use of rigging hardware. An above average math aptitude is necessary to be successful in this class.
ICRA (Infection Control and Risk Assessment) In Occupied Health Care Facilities
This is a 24-hour class that is required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health care facilities safety programs for Construction Craft Laborers that are employed with contractors working at health care facilities. Topics of the class include: hospital infections, patient and worker hazards, dust and odor controls, work area set-up, working within negative pressure barriers, monitoring and recordkeeping where work is done within negative pressure enclosures and safe work site deconstruction and clean up.
Lead Abatement Worker
The 40-hour Lead Abatement Worker course provides skills for workers with information on lead abatement methods for safely abating various materials containing lead. Topics of discussion include abatement problems and possible solutions. Current regulations, worker safety, as well as preparation, containment, and cleanup of lead contaminated areas. Workers have an opportunity to practice hands-on removal procedures using the latest equipment on steel structures and wood building systems. Completion of the course carries state certification eligibility under the EPA Model Accreditation Plan. A $60.00 fee to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from the trainee is required upon successful completion of the class.
Lead Abatement Worker Refresher
The 8-hour Lead Worker Refresher is designed to meet the regulatory requirement for refresher training. Trainees are presented with updated information regarding work practices, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment. Completion of the Lead Refresher provides continued eligibility for state certification under the EPA Model Accreditation Plan. A $60.00 fee to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from the trainee is required upon successful completion of the class.
Lead Abatement Supervisor
This course is offered to journey workers upon recommendation of a signatory contractor or business manager. The course is 48-hours in length and is an extension of the 40-hour Lead Abatement Worker course. As the 40-hour worker class proceeds through the week, the supervisor candidates stay for an extra two hours in the evenings where aspects of contracts, record keeping and supervisor responsibilities are discussed. Upon completion, the supervisor candidate must enroll and pay the $116.00 fee to complete a third-party exam given by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Lead Abatement Supervisor Refresher
In this 8-hour course, participants that have currently completed Lead Abatement Supervisor training will meet the regulatory requirements for annual refresher training. Upon completion, the supervisor must enroll and pay the $116.00 fee to complete a third-party exam given by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Line and Grade: Highway Grade Checking
The 40-hour Line and Grade course provides the necessary skills for maintaining elevation and alignment control of heavy and civil construction activities. The following topics are covered: transferring grade points, using various measurement systems, construction line using staking protocols, measurement techniques and using instruments, plan views, slope expression, construction referencing systems, and roadway slopes. An average math skill level is recommended.
Mason Tending
A 40-hour course which will complete the training necessary to perform a great deal of the laborer’s tasks on a masonry construction project. This training includes masonry tool use and identification, equipment operations and maintenance, mortar mixing to specification, masonry units’ identification, material estimating, stocking materials, masonry frame scaffold erection and dismantling, plank lapping, respirable silica exposure prevention and pertinent safety practices.
Mine safety and Health Administration Course
The Mine Safety and Health Act requires certification training under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration regulations for those that work at underground, and surface mines. This training involves an initial 24-hour hazard awareness class, and an 8-hour annual refresher for those that work on mine property. Employees that would require this training would be those working at quarries, Portland cement manufacturing facilities, cement batch plants, and any surface mines where aggregates are extracted for the construction industry.
Natural Gas Distribution
This is class provides an introduction to the Natural Gas Industry in Pennsylvania. The course distinguishes between transmission and distribution segments of harvesting and providing natural gas to the end users through distribution lines. Topics in the class include: Hazards of natural and man-made fuel gasses, customer relations with end users, safety hazards and techniques of handling gas leaks and trench protection. Hands-on training includes: pipe types and fusion techniques including electro fusion, butt fusion, socket fusion and assembling mechanical joints.
OSHA Construction Outreach Certification – 10 hour and 30 hour
These are classes that provide certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on training of safe work practices, hazard recognition and hazard controls, safety and health regulations established in Part 1926 and Part 1910 Code of Federal Regulations. Completion of this training is recognized with certification from the Federal Department of Labor. Many workers compensation insurance providers for construction companies require this certification for workers employed in the construction industry.
OSHA 7600 Disaster Site Worker
This 16-hour class provides certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for personnel that are eligible to be employed at disaster sites. The training covers the chain of command and duties of the disaster site worker. There are scenarios that are presented in video format for the trainees to respond to in order to reinforce the principles learned in the class. Some of the topics are working in chemical protective clothing and the use of respiratory protection. Hazards awareness of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons of mass destruction are covered in depth.
Oxy-Acetylene Cutting and Burning Course
A 32-hour course designed with a great deal of hands-on applications and safety techniques used to cut metals of varying gauge thicknesses with oxy-acetylene torch systems. It is essential that one knows the safety considerations to set-up the torch cutting operations using compressed gas cylinders, checking for leaks with the connections and distinguishing the proper tip size through reading reference tables provided by the fuel gas distributors. There is emphasis placed on metal coatings, and their propensity to cause undesirable health effects to exposed workers from the torch cutting emissions.
Pipeline Construction Technology
The 40-hour pipeline technology course covers the general process of installing a transmission natural gas pipeline, focusing on the work performed by Construction Craft Laborers. Participants learn general skills and safety knowledge, warehousing, line locating and the functions of specific pipeline specialty crews. Approximately 60% of the training time is devoted to hands-on activities. Participants successfully completing the course will receive instruction in performing commonly covered tasks performed by Laborers working on pipeline crews. Respirable crystalline silica hazards and exposure prevention requirements are addressed with all activities performed on pipeline transmission projects.
Pipe Laying and Trench Protection
This 40-hour course provides instruction with installation and testing of gravity flow and pressure pipe systems. These pipe type installations are common in sewer and water line construction projects. An emphasis is placed on OSHA Regulations where trench protection systems and the analysis of soil types are required for trench collapse prevention. Approximately 60% of the training time is devoted to hands-on activities. The use and set-up of pipe laser equipment and general knowledge of line and grade is presented.
Print Reading and Using Project Specifications
This is class provides instruction and practice, in the interpretation of construction project prints and their specifications. Commercial building, highway and bridge as well as residential print reading projects are covered in their various print views. Legends and acronyms are discussed for clear interpretations. Project specifications are related to each print reading project to distinguish product selection and the submittal process for approvals from architects, engineering firms and project owners. Shop drawings are discussed and ways to implement project changes if necessary.
Red Cross Standard First Aid and Adult CPR
Subpart D – Occupational Health and Environmental Controls Part 1926.50 paragraph (c) of the OSHA Standard specifically requires employers to provide a person on the job site that is currently certified in first aid training from the American Red Cross, Bureau of Mines or equivalent. The Contractor Associations are requesting that Laborers have this training since Laborers are the first and last workers on any construction project. This course can be offered over two nights or one day.
Reducing Silica Dust Exposure
This 8-hour class will introduce Construction Craft Laborers to the preventable hazard of dust control on construction projects where silica exposure can be predicted to occur. The health effects of exposure to silica dust and the use of engineering controls with personal protective equipment are presented. The OSHA Standard entitled Respirable Crystalline Silica is reviewed and discussed through group projects and handouts so that trainees will work safely when operating power tools that generate silica dust and are able to take responsibility for their own safety by not performing prohibited tasks under the OSHA regulations.
Rough Terrain Forklift and Powered Hand Truck
This 40-hour course offers prospective, and experienced powered industrial truck operators certification training in both, the rough terrain forklift, and powered hand truck. Included would be a written exam and task performance evaluations for each trainee, as required in 1926 Subpart O.
Rough Terrain Forklift and Powered Hand Truck Refresher
The 8-hour refresher is required for certified operators every three years, or if an operator is involved in an accident, or near miss with a powered industrial truck prior to the three year time frame. Updated safety regulations and hands-on task performance evaluations are conducted in the refresher.
Safeland USA Pipeline Safety Orientation
The 8-hour class is put into place by a Pipeline Operators Association and PEC Safety to address common hazard awareness and work-related rules for individuals performing tasks during pipeline construction and operations. The certification is required to be refreshed every three years by certain pipeline operators.
Scaffold Safety Courses
A 40-hour training program is available for those erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds. A 16 hour course is available for those working on and using certain scaffold types. A thrust in understanding and using the OSHA Construction Standard is provided. Hands-on projects are completed to demonstrate competence in frame and brace, tube and coupler and systems scaffolding. The course is not limited to, but includes modules on the nature of scaffold hazards, the correct procedures for scaffold erection, dismantling, repair and inspection of scaffolds, nature of electrical hazards, falls, falling object hazards found in the work area, tables provide accurate load capacities for scaffold components and design criteria for scaffold types.
Skid Steer Operations Course
A 24-hour course designed to give hands on experience and safety training in the operations and maintenance of the skid steer loader.
