Terex Utilities offers online training

The Edge, an online training curriculum from Terex Utilities, offers a self-paced training tool for operators seeking to document their understanding of aerial device and digger derrick operation. The training curriculum is used by technical schools, utility contractors, electric utilities and individual operators. Each program, which takes six to eight hours to complete, includes an entrance exam to provide a benchmark for the incoming knowledge level of the operator.

The Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative, serves 85,000 customers in south central Texas. Its fleet of nearly 200 vehicles includes 17 Terex aerial devices and digger derricks. The electric co-op enrolled nearly two-thirds of its employees in the Terex Edge aerial device and digger derrick training when they needed to keep up with their Department of Labor Apprenticeship program.

“With time constraints being one of our biggest challenges, it was the best option to fill our requirements for the DOL Apprenticeship,” said Hannah Hoffman, assistant to the executive manager of operations.

Employees were able to complete the training during off time, while submitting weekly reports and completing daily tasks needed, Hoffman added.

“With the November 2018 OSHA requirement for digger derrick and crane operators to be certified, there is renewed interest in our Digger Derrick Edge Training module, which can be used as a preparation for NCCCO Digger Derrick Operator Certification,” said Jason Julius, technical support and training, Terex Utilities. “Operators of digger derricks are exempt from this requirement only when the digger derrick is used in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, and telecommunications applications. If a digger derrick is used for other lifting work applications, then digger derrick operators must be certified.”

In addition to pre-shift inspections and setup, the Digger Derrick module covers setting outriggers, identifying obstructions, load charts, basic rigging, hand signals, electrical hazards and emergency operations. The Edge training materials are not manufacturer specific, so information is applicable to all operators of aerial devices and digger derricks. The cost is $150 per person per module.