There were 20 participants in the 2018 contest, coming from Nevada, California, Utah, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Contestants are selected by each participating JATC from their annual graduating class and gather to represent their respective local unions and NECA chapters.
Portland was proud to offer up Ethan Rinier as the representative for the host JATC and was not disappointed. Ethan demonstrated his skills throughout the day, keeping calm and feeling good about the various events. His experience as an outstanding apprentice paid off as he applied his rigorous study habits and knowledge taking first place in the Written Exam event. He continued to impress throughout the day, also taking first place in the Residential Wiring event as well as the 陆” Conduit challenge. Ethan had a varied experience as an apprentice, working for the coastal shop of Cannon Beach Electric as well as a stint at Intel with OEG and Rosendin, and wrapping up his apprenticeship working for Stoner Electric in service, where he continues today.
The awards banquet featured a few remarks from LU 48 Business manager Gary Young and Christensen Vice President of Operations, Sonja Rheaume, followed by keynote Speaker Todd Stafford, Executive Director of the Electrical Training ALLIANCE. Awards were presented as each contestant was given a Milwaukee 18V drill/driver kit, gift cards, meters and contest swag from contest sponsors Platt Electric, Milwaukee Tool and, of course, the NIETC.
As final awards were given, Lee Bowman, Trade Specialist, and Edgar Aponte, President of Platt Electric, addressed the group to recognize the excellent performance of each and every contestant.
All combined, Portland contestant Ethan applied his vast experience to wrap up the ceremonies with a First Place overall finish in addition to his three individual event wins. First, Second and Third place, as well as individual event winners, received prize money for their accomplishments. The First place winning JATC, Portland OR, also gets the honor to display the Carl Sorensen traveling trophy for the next year after adding Ethan’s name to the plaque. The contest history dates back to 1963.
Next year’s contest will be hosted by the SW Washington Electrical JATC on Sept. 7, 2019 in Tacoma, WA.
Forklift / Aerial Lift
The NIETC Lift Training Class will certify students to operate scissor lifts, aerial lifts, reach and standard forklifts. Students will receive classroom instruction and demonstrate proficiency operating each piece of equipment. After initial training, forklift operators are to have an evaluation of their knowledge and abilities at least once every 3 years. OSHA does not specify a frequency for aerial lift refresher training, but leaves that up to each employer to evaluate. Course is approved for 8 hours of CEU credit in Oregon only.
Electrical Safety / NFPA 70E
The NIETC provides electrical safety training that uses OSHA regulations to illustrate mandatory electrical safety performance language – SHALL – and the NFPA 70E Standard as a method to follow a prescriptive or – HOW TO – compliance option. During the course, students will review characteristics of shock, arc flash and arc blast hazards. NEC Article 110.16 – Arc Flash Labeling Requirements – will be addressed and the criteria necessary to assess available fault currents, operating times of overcurrent protective devices and predicting available incident energy. Students will become familiar with specialized PPE necessary to work in arc flash environments as well as standardized PPE, meters and tools used during energized electrical work activities. The course is approved for 4 hours of CEU credit in both Oregon and Washington.
Confined Space
The NIETC provides a 4-hour course in basic confined space awareness hazards. During the course, students will review applicable Confined Space OSHA regulations including HAZ-COM and LOTO standards. Students will become familiar with the roles of an entrant, an attendant and the entry supervisor. Sample entry permits will be used to illustrate proper hazard identification and control options. The course is approved for 4 hours of CEU credit in Oregon only.
First Aid – CPR
Coyne First Aid / Basic Life Support (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training
This course provides certification in Basic Life Support and First Aid concepts. 听The 8-hour initial course provides First Aid certification that is good for 2 years and a CPR / AED certification which must be renewed annually. 听The NIETC also provides a 4-hour refresher course for students whose cards are not expired past 60 days.
The initial course provides 4 hours CEU credit in both Oregon and Washington.
OSHA 30
OSHA 30 Hour course is ideal for supervisors with safety and health responsibilities. Students will review OSHA policies, procedures and safety standards that apply to construction and general industry work locations. Upon successful completion of the course, each student will receive an OSHA 30 card from Federal OSHA Outreach Training Institute. The card does not expire and there are certain employers / job sites that require this level of certification. The course provides 16 hours of CEU credit in Oregon and 4 hours of CEU credit in Washington.
OSHA 10
This 10 Hour construction safety course was developed by the US Department of Labor to provide construction workers, supervisors, and other personnel responsible for construction activities with an awareness of construction safety and health concerns. Students will become familiar with navigating and applying OSHA Standards for Construction, 29 CFR Part 1926. 听 Core topics include:
Upon successful completion of the course, each student will receive an OSHA 10 card and 8 hours of CEU credit in Oregon only.
Blank Safety Meeting Attendance Forms
Safety Topics – Table of Contents
Industrial Athlete
We are industrial athletes. We make our living performing physically and mentally demanding work that requires skill, strength, flexibility, coordination and endurance鈥ust like athletes. Unfortunately, many construction workers do not think of themselves as industrial athletes and instead choose poor habits that promote an unhealthy lifestyle.
It鈥檚 no secret that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The Industrial Athlete program puts focus on physical health and nutritional health. The construction industry is partnering with the American Heart Association to create a cultural change within our industry so we may live long, healthy lives and enjoy retirement.
Physical Health
Nutritional Health
Let鈥檚 not forget about mental health – the pathway to physical and nutritional health
Got stress? The American Medical Association reported studies showing stress as the underlying cause of 60% of all illness and disease making stress the number one proxy killer.
Stress affects the entire body and can cause health problems such as insomnia, asthma, ulcers, nervousness, paranoia, or depression.
The Centers for Disease Control reported that male construction workers have the highest rate of suicide in the U.S. In a male-dominated 鈥渢ough guy鈥 industry, workers with mental health issues are often overlooked or fail to seek help. Fatigue and work pressure are known to be contributing factors. We can learn to recognize the signs of stress before they develop into depressive thoughts. Look for changes in appetite, unexplained joint pain, tight chest, anxiety, loss of motivation, increased smoking or drinking, withdrawal or aggression, or difficulty concentrating.
Resources for Wellness:听
2018 Western States Electrical Contest
The Western States Electrical Contest was hosted in Portland this year for the first time since 2006. The contest included 7 components of an electrician’s skill, including the following written tests
The hands-on events included:
There were 20 participants in the 2018 contest, coming from Nevada, California, Utah, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Contestants are selected by each participating JATC from their annual graduating class and gather to represent their respective local unions and NECA chapters.
Portland was proud to offer up Ethan Rinier as the representative for the host JATC and was not disappointed. Ethan demonstrated his skills throughout the day, keeping calm and feeling good about the various events. His experience as an outstanding apprentice paid off as he applied his rigorous study habits and knowledge taking first place in the Written Exam event. He continued to impress throughout the day, also taking first place in the Residential Wiring event as well as the 陆” Conduit challenge. Ethan had a varied experience as an apprentice, working for the coastal shop of Cannon Beach Electric as well as a stint at Intel with OEG and Rosendin, and wrapping up his apprenticeship working for Stoner Electric in service, where he continues today.
The awards banquet featured a few remarks from LU 48 Business manager Gary Young and Christensen Vice President of Operations, Sonja Rheaume, followed by keynote Speaker Todd Stafford, Executive Director of the Electrical Training ALLIANCE. Awards were presented as each contestant was given a Milwaukee 18V drill/driver kit, gift cards, meters and contest swag from contest sponsors Platt Electric, Milwaukee Tool and, of course, the NIETC.
As final awards were given, Lee Bowman, Trade Specialist, and Edgar Aponte, President of Platt Electric, addressed the group to recognize the excellent performance of each and every contestant.
All combined, Portland contestant Ethan applied his vast experience to wrap up the ceremonies with a First Place overall finish in addition to his three individual event wins. First, Second and Third place, as well as individual event winners, received prize money for their accomplishments. The First place winning JATC, Portland OR, also gets the honor to display the Carl Sorensen traveling trophy for the next year after adding Ethan’s name to the plaque. The contest history dates back to 1963.
Next year’s contest will be hosted by the SW Washington Electrical JATC on Sept. 7, 2019 in Tacoma, WA.