What’s New at WJTA – Training and Webinar Updates
First Live In-person Train-the-Trainer of 2020
WJTA’s first in-person training since COVID-19 restrictions were implemented was held July 28 and 29 at the Houston Area Safety Council (HASC) in Pasadena, Texas. Nine candidates received the WJTA Field Verification training and the association’s Train-the-Trainer course to become credentialed as Verified Trainers.
The course was led by WJTA’s three current Master Trainers and included classroom and hands-on instruction and evaluation on system setup, pre-job inspection, manual high-pressure cleaning operations, and job completion across shotgunning, flex lancing, and line moleing applications.
The new Verified Trainers can deliver hands-on WJTA Hydroblaster Field Verification to customers or trainees within their organizations.
The next course offering is scheduled for Oct. 6 and 7, and additional train-the-trainer opportunities will be announced to meet the demand from contractors and training organizations throughout the country as the program launch continues.
RELATED: What’s New at WJTA – 2020 Expo Canceled, Planning Under Way for 2021 Event
Vacuum Operator Training and Certification
With the launch of the WJTA hydroblaster training and certification program in June, the association is beginning work on a similar curriculum for operators of industrial vacuum equipment. The forthcoming vacuum operator program will be based on the WJTA “Recommended Practices for the Use of Industrial Vacuum Equipment,” which was first published in 2007 and is now in a third edition.
A credential for operators of vacuum equipment has been requested by contractors and asset owners due to the hazards of vacuum loading operations. With the successful launch of the hydroblaster program, this is a logical next step given that most industrial contractors offer both service lines.
In addition to the recommended practices manual, WJTA offers a vacuum safety video and has been active in organizing in-person vacuum seminars. Industrial vacuum loading and vacuum excavation also are an important part of the annual WJTA tradeshow.
RELATED: WJTA Launches New Webinar Series
Live Webinar Series Launched
In June, the WJTA announced the cancellation of the 2020 WJTA Expo, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While this is disappointing, we are pleased to announce that we are bringing part of the Expo to you. The WJTA is launching a new series of free educational webinars covering topics of interest for waterjetting, vacuuming and industrial cleaning professionals. These webinars allow WJTA to continue its mission of educating contractors, asset owners and other stakeholders on important safety and technology topics.
The webinars are free to attend, and all registrants can access recordings for one month after the live webinar. Archived webinar recordings will be available to WJTA members in the members-only section at wjta.org.
The programs will generally be 45 minutes in length, including a 30-minute presentation and an extended 15-minute window for question and answer where the speaker(s) can address the questions that have been submitted by audience members.
“We were very excited for this year’s WJTA Expo after the positive response to the 2019 WJTA Conference & Expo educational program,” says Kerry Siggins, WJTA education committee chair. “While it’s disappointing to lose the opportunity to connect in person, the online webinars will allow us to still present an engaging set of topics and also reach a broader audience of individuals who may be unable to attend an in-person event.”
RELATED: WJTA Newsletter — WJTA to Review, Update Strategic Plan
All live webinars take place at 10 a.m. CDT.
The current lineup of topics includes:
Turnarounds – Increase Tool Time and Decrease Downtime Through Proper Job Planning (part 1 of 4)
Speaker: Bill Holladay, Xtreme Liquid Technologies
Date: Aug. 13
Turnarounds – Risk Mitigation and COVID-19 Precautions (part 2 of 4)
Speaker: Bradley Coble, Covestro
Date: Sept. 3
Turnarounds – Minimize Downtime Through Job Tracking
and Proper KPIs (part 3 of 4)
Speaker: Bill Holladay, Xtreme Liquid Technologies
Date: Sept. 9
Turnarounds – Dos and Don’ts of Exchanger Cleaning During Turnarounds (part 4 of 4)
Speaker: Bill Holladay, Xtreme Liquid Technologies
Date: Sept. 24
Confined Space Entry
Speaker: John Langlee, First Strike Safety Solutions
Date: Oct. 8
Leadership in the Field: How to Successfully Manage Hydroblasting Operators
Speaker: Jimmy Peck, MPW Industrial Services
Date: Nov. 5
Grounding and Bonding in Vacuum Operations
Speaker: Richard Puig, Newson Gale, Inc.
Date: Dec. 10
“What’s New at WJTA” is a bi-monthly newsletter from the WaterJet Technology Association (WJTA) focused on news pertaining to the sewer and drain cleaning industries. Information is provided by WJTA. To keep up with the latest news, visit wjta.org.
