A team of over 60 staff within Facilities Services recently completed a critical, 2-day IVES Certified Training of Forklift Operator and Mobile Elevated Work Platform for Boom and Scissor lift at Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). The certification is essential for FS’ operations “to keep us compliant, safe and allow us to move heavy, large items,” said Chris Pillen, Superintendent of Maintenance Services.

The work platform training is part of Facilities Services’ 12-month safety training program and staff are assigned trainings based on their job title code.

Fourteen sessions were arranged by Tracy Stark, Safety Engineer, and Heather Davis, EH&S Training Coordinator. They contracted with NATEC International to bring in trainer David Mori as the instructor in order to support an ambitious training schedule. Training took place in the EH&S Lyceum, where the classroom was setup using physical distancing guidelines and a maximum of nine staff per training. The IVES training program was used to provide enhanced classroom instruction and is the new standard for UCR. This training is now required for new maintenance staff in the department, and recertification will be provided every three years.

Hands-on vehicle training and skills assessment took place in the EH&S loading dock area on equipment rented specifically for the training. Orange traffic cones were setup in a measured obstacle course for staff to practice and test for final certification.

“We are very excited to not only provide, but improve the level of training the staff receives. It is important that the staff knows how the equipment works, how to rescue co-workers, and the rules and regulations that apply in order to prevent accidents and injuries. EH&S looks forward to continuing this new partnership,” said Tracy Stark.

For David Mori, “Safety training is about providing information about workplace hazards, their recognition, and how to prevent them. Because if someone is not able to recognize the workplace hazards they may be exposed to, how can they protect themselves or anyone else from them? Safety has been my career and I feel that if I can help keep someone safe by providing safety training and information, it has been well worth the time and effort.”