Soil Scientists Attend 10-hour Construction Safety Competent Person/Backhoe Training

By Riley Dayberry and Jeremiah Parsley

For two days in August, several Soil Scientists from Texas and New Mexico NRCS converged on Abilene, TX to attend a 10-hour Construction Safety training that included Competent Person/Backhoe Training. Attendees came from Abilene, Graham, Kerrville, Lubbock, and Marfa, TX; and Las Cruces and Santa Fe, NM.

This training consisted of classroom instruction, a written exam, and hands-on field instruction. All instruction was administered by Alan Stahnke and James Gordon of the NRCS Texas State Office in Temple, TX. Day one of training was presented in a classroom format where Alan and James gave several Powerpoint presentations and instruction. The instructors cited specific examples from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) that directly affected soil scientists. In addition, the instructors gave real life examples of safety issues that are of concern in soil survey.

Day two of training began in the classroom with additional presentations including OSHA soil types, correct pit shoring equipment placement and use, and Dig-TESS instructions. A written examination covering the information that had been previously taught was administered. During the afternoon, all attendees traveled to a field location in Taylor County, TX to receive hands-on instruction. The participants were tasked with safely unloading/loading, driving, preparing for excavation, and excavating with a front-end loader/backhoe.

This training was well presented, informative, and enjoyable to attend. Many of the items discussed not only applied to pit sampling for soil survey, but also every day soil survey operations and general safety on and off the job. Participants who successfully completed this training will receive the OSHA 10-hour Construction Safety training card. This card is what most employees in private companies must posses before conducting work on federal construction sites. All attendees should come away from the 10-hour Construction Safety training and Competent Person/Backhoe Training with a renewed sense of safety and awareness when doing their job.

 

Instructor James Gordon (NRCS, Temple, TX) observes Jessica Lene-Jobe’s (NRCS, Graham, TX) newly learned skills.	Instructor Alan Stahnke (NRCS, Temple, TX) observes James Bauchert (NRCS, Las Cruces, NM) while fellow training participants look on.

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