By WASHINGTON, D.C., January 2, 2014 - The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), and its partners-the Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction (ISPC) and T&D PowerSkills, LLC-have released new training materials with a focus on energized distribution systems and safe work practices. The materials were developed to introduce apprentice and journeyman linemen to working with steel utility distribution poles.
The materials include a DVD, USB Flash Drive and Training Manual and are sold as a kit on the online Steel Store, here. The information is packaged as a seven-part series and includes:
• An overview of steel poles as distribution system structures
• Joining multiple-section steel poles
• Framing and setting steel poles - De-energized
• Climbing steel poles
• Energized line work, Part I
• Energized line work, Part II
• Additional considerations (basic insulation level)
SMDI and its partners are in the process of developing training materials for students.
"Increasingly, utility companies are adding steel poles to their distribution systems," said Daniel Snyder, director of business development for SMDI. "We developed these materials to equip current and future linemen to work with steel poles, particularly on energized lines. The safety procedures for steel poles are similar to those of other material types. It is important for linemen to comply with the safety practices required by their companies."
Snyder said that utility companies are recognizing the benefits of steel poles, including their durability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental advantages. In addition to the training materials, SMDI offers workshops directed at both students and advanced-level linemen that are conducted at lineman colleges, apprenticeship programs, electric utility associations, Cooperatives, Municipals and Investor-Owned Utilities. Workshops can be scheduled by contacting Dan Snyder at dsnyder@steel.org.
AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 124 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI's member companies represent over three-quarters of both U.S. and North American steel capacity.
SMDI grows and maintains the use of steel through strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction and container markets. For more news or information, visit www.smdisteel.org or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/smdisteel. SMDI investors include: AK Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal Dofasco, ArcelorMittal USA LLC, EVRAZ North America, Gerdau, Nucor Corporation, Severstal North America, SSAB Americas, Steelscape, Inc., ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, LLC, United States Steel Corporation, and USS-POSCO Industries.
The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction advocates for safety and health in the powerline construction and maintenance industry by researching and developing safety, training and health standards; educating, training and assessing skills; defining best practices; auditing programs; advising management; and advising regulatory agencies. To learn more, visit, http://www.ispconline.com/.
T&D PowerSkills, LLC is a 78-title video and workbook lineman apprenticeship training program geared to instruct electric utility lineworkers with up-to-date, safety-related practices and technical skills related to the installation, maintenance and removal of transmission and distribution systems.http://www.tdpowerskills.com/.
Contact:
Debbie Bennett
Manager, SMDI and Construction Communications
Steel Market Development Institute
Tel: 202.452.7179
Deanna Lorincz
Senior Director, SMDI Communications
Steel Market Development Institute
Tel: 248.945.4763
|
distributed by
|
