User Training Renewed focus on the issue of user safety and training Recent instances have highlighted the need for Users to have job specific safety training. Like every employee, every user working on site >30 calendar days in a year will need a job specific Individual Training Needs Assessment (ITNA). Currently, “generic” ITNAs are generated for Users, but this is not enough. Experiment or job specific ITNAs will help to ensure that users receive the training commensurate with the hazards in their work environment. Completing an ITNA also ensures that the User will get notification when training is available.

User Training Who will do the ITNA for Users? We explored the possibility of assigning this task to spokespersons, but given the size of some experiments and the need to know the ITNA process, we concluded this approach wouldn’t work. This prompted the need to identify Points Of Contact (POC) for Users. D/S/C Heads have been asked to identify appropriate persons to be the Point of Contact and part of that responsibility includes completing the ITNA. Following the identification of employees to serve as Points of Contact (POCs), Experiment specific ITNAs will be generated with the help of the ESH Section. ITNAs will then be assigned to Users by experiment name/number and training plans will be developed. That means users’ safety training will be expanding over the next few months.

Points of Contact (POCs) What are the responsibilities of a Point of Contact? Maintain familiarity with assigned users, their tasks and potential hazards. Be present on site with sufficient frequency to maintain that familiarity. Help to develop the Individual Training Needs Assessment (ITNA) for the experiment so that it can be assigned to each user on that experiment. Update the ITNA when the user is expected to encounter new hazards. Assure that users assigned take required training, including New Employee Orientation. Serve as Point of Contact for emergency situations and investigations.

Points of Contact (POCs) What are the responsibilities of a Point of Contact (con’t)? Interact with assigned users to assure that users possess all tools, including Personal Protective Equipment, to perform assigned tasks. Encourage reporting of ES&H concerns by those under their supervision. Immediately take action to address those concerns. Ensure that assigned users report occupationally incurred injuries and illnesses to the Fermilab Medical Department at the first opportunity. Assure incidents are investigated. Contact D/S Senior Safety Officer for assistance. Assure all reasonable actions to prevent their recurrence. Provide for a designated backup during significant periods of absence from the Laboratory.