8
Annual recertification of switchmen is required and lists of qualified switchmen shall be
updated as required by FIST Vol. 1.1 for each station where switching is performed.
updated as required by FIST Vol. 1.1 for each station where switching is performed.
Training, certification, and annual recertification of switchmen is the responsibility
of each project. Annual examinations are prerequisite to certification for each
switchman and shall include two segments: (1) written question-answer test, and (2)
physical performance of a switching procedure. Recertification may be accomplished
throughout the region on a continuing basis as dictated by the time available for this
activity; however, recertification of all O&M personnel (Reclamation and foreign) who
switch in Reclamation facilities shall be accomplished within a 1-year period, and each
regional office should be aware of progress of this program through periodic reports
on at least a quarterly basis. Specific reporting procedures will be arranged between
the region and each field office. The examination shall preferably be given by members
of the local operations staff as authorized by each region and shall include the
following:
of each project. Annual examinations are prerequisite to certification for each
switchman and shall include two segments: (1) written question-answer test, and (2)
physical performance of a switching procedure. Recertification may be accomplished
throughout the region on a continuing basis as dictated by the time available for this
activity; however, recertification of all O&M personnel (Reclamation and foreign) who
switch in Reclamation facilities shall be accomplished within a 1-year period, and each
regional office should be aware of progress of this program through periodic reports
on at least a quarterly basis. Specific reporting procedures will be arranged between
the region and each field office. The examination shall preferably be given by members
of the local operations staff as authorized by each region and shall include the
following:
a. Question-answer written test. A list of questions covering switching
procedures and FIST Vol. 1.1 requirements will be used. A sample list of questions is
given in figure 1 for your information or use; however, actual questions used are left to
the judgment of each project to apply to specific equipment or particular problems
which may have arisen. The answers from switchmen may be given verbally or be
written and may be given as closed book or open book examinations at the discretion
of the local operations supervisor. The objective is to be sure that each switchman
knows the correct answers to all questions.
procedures and FIST Vol. 1.1 requirements will be used. A sample list of questions is
given in figure 1 for your information or use; however, actual questions used are left to
the judgment of each project to apply to specific equipment or particular problems
which may have arisen. The answers from switchmen may be given verbally or be
written and may be given as closed book or open book examinations at the discretion
of the local operations supervisor. The objective is to be sure that each switchman
knows the correct answers to all questions.
b. Physical performance. Each switchman shall be given a switching program
to perform in a station and shall be accompanied by the examining official. The
switching program may be set up specifically for certification proposes or may be a
program required routinely for facility operation. The objective is to be sure the
switchman has a feel for, and adequate knowledge of, operation of the type of
equipment he is certified to operate.
to perform in a station and shall be accompanied by the examining official. The
switching program may be set up specifically for certification proposes or may be a
program required routinely for facility operation. The objective is to be sure the
switchman has a feel for, and adequate knowledge of, operation of the type of
equipment he is certified to operate.
The examining official should conduct the examination in a manner conducive to
discussion of problems with the switchman to assure that there are no
misunderstandings and that the spirit of teamwork is enhanced. It may be necessary
that all or portions of the examination be repeated with a particular employee to be
sure that objectives of the certification program are achieved. If the individual does not
meet the certification date plus 60 days, they will be suspended from switching duties
until certified.
discussion of problems with the switchman to assure that there are no
misunderstandings and that the spirit of teamwork is enhanced. It may be necessary
that all or portions of the examination be repeated with a particular employee to be
sure that objectives of the certification program are achieved. If the individual does not
meet the certification date plus 60 days, they will be suspended from switching duties
until certified.
O&M Training Meetings
In addition to the formalized training outlined above, each project is responsible for
carrying out an operations improvement training program whereby certified SOP's and
carrying out an operations improvement training program whereby certified SOP's and