Cross training program at Synfuels Plant proves successful
A six-month training program allows employees to give input on safety and industrial hygiene and gain experience.
Basin Electric Power Cooperative
- June 10, 2011
A safety cross training program implemented at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant last October gives maintenance and process operations field technicians the opportunity to step into the shoes of a safety representative for six months allowing them to give input to the safety and industrial hygiene department and gain valuable experience.
Steve Kelsch was the first field technician to take advantage of the cross training program. His six-month stint ended Friday, May 27. "Working with the safety and industrial hygiene department the past six months gave me a much better understanding of how that department works," Kelsch said. "I definitely have a greater respect and appreciation for what the department’s work involves."
Kelsch explained that before working in the safety department, he and others expected all safety issues to be handled and resolved immediately. He found out it isn’t that easy. He said it is a continually evolving process, "There are procedures, OSHA requirements and many angles to review with each situation and incident. There is a lot more to resolving an issue than I ever thought."
At first Kelsch thought six months was too long to cross train, but in the end, he thought it was a good amount of time to get the full experience. He said he hopes the trade-off for the safety department was equal. "At first I really thought the experience wouldn’t have much of an impact. As I leave, my thoughts are completely different."
Ryan Wolf, safety and industrial hygiene superintendent, said, "We are extremely pleased with the success of this program. Steve was very willing to learn, and his input helped improve our safety programs – definitely a positive for the department."
Neal Reinhardt, maintenance field technician, began the cross training experience this week. The position will be filled with a process operations field technician for the next six-month period and will be rotated as the cross training goes forward.
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