Procedures for obtaining Contact Hour Approval

Ohio Water Environment Association

Effective: June 1, 2007

 

These procedures have been developed to standardize the process for applying for, reviewing, and receiving OWEA-approved course numbers. Effective May 22, 2007, OWEA received authority to become an approved training provider per OAC 3745-7-15(E). The following procedures shall be followed by all OWEA Sections, Committees and authorized personnel to obtain course approval.

 

Procedures:

 

  1. All training wishing to receive approval shall be documented using the current version of Ohio EPA “Form A”. This form contains all of the information that is required to determine if the training has relevancy, as well as having all the information required to be maintained for 3 years after training is provided.

 

  1. The Responsible Trainer (person responsible at the Section, Committee or Annual Conference level for coordinating training being applied for) shall complete each Form A as best as possible. Insure the primary and secondary instructors have at least 3 years applicable experience in the field of their topic. Inclusion of instructor’s professional biography showing at least 3 years of applicable experience is encouraged. Form A’s MUST BE SUBMITTED by the 28th day of the month preceding the month in which training will be provided (eg. July 28th is the deadline for training to be provided in August). Any applications received after this deadline will be submitted to Ohio EPA for approval.

 

  1. Form A’s and all supporting documents should be submitted in electronic form (email attachment) to Mark Livengood at livengoodm@mcohio.org. Alternate submittal forms (fax or regular mail) will be accepted (see contact information at end of this document).

 

  1. Mark Livengood or alternate authorized persons shall review each application for completeness. If approvable, training shall be approved in one of four types: Wastewater O&M, wastewater and water O&M, wastewater “other”, or wastewater and water “other”. Criteria used to decide relevancy shall be that listed in the “Stakeholder’s Guidance regarding Contact Hour Approval” (see attachment). Course approval numbers shall be assigned using the following format:

            Type of Training

        Course Number Format

Wastewater O&M

OWEA-S00000-OM

Wastewater and Water O&M

OWEA-B00000-OM

Wastewater “other”

OWEA-S00000-X

Wastewater and water “other”

OWEA-B00000-X

 

  1. OWEA will provide a list to Ohio EPA of training intended to occur during the next month by the last day of the previous month. OWEA will maintain a master list of training that has been approved and post it on OWEA’s web page.

 

  1. The Responsible Trainer shall:
    1. Insure each training course is provided by the primary or secondary instructors listed in the course application;
    2. Insure each training course last at least as long as scheduled. Minimum course time is 30 minutes. Training should be provided in periods of 30 minutes, 45 minutes, etc..
    3. Provide a signed attendance receipt to each person attending their training. The receipts should be signed by the Responsible Trainer or a recognized organization leader in attendance at the training;
    4. Keep a copy of each attendance receipt;
    5. When training event is complete, send copies of the attendance receipts along with an attendee list and copy of training announcement to OWEA main office (see address at end of document) within 30 days;
    6. For training coordinated by OWEA Sections, it is highly recommended for the Section to keep a copy of the attendance list for their records.

 

Contact Information:

 

Mark Livengood

c/o Montgomery County Sanitary Engineering

1850 Spaulding Rd.

Kettering, OH 45432

Phone: (937) 781-2559

Fax: (937) 781-2685

Email: livengoodm@mcohio.org

 

OWEA Main office

OWEA

870 High Street, Suite 15

Worthington, OH 43085

Phone: (614) 888-8168

Fax: (614) 888-8165

Email: info@ohiowea.org

 

 

 

Stakeholder’s Guidance Regarding Contact Hour Approval

 

 

3745-7-15(C)(3) Operation and Maintenance related courses

 

            General list of topics related to “O&M”

Treatment, regulations, math, innovative technologies, source water protection, watershed management

 

            General list of topics related to “Other”

Safety, general computer courses, management, HR related courses (diversity, harassment, etc.)

 

3745-7-15(E)(1)(b)(iii) Relevancy

 

            What courses are relevant and what aren’t?

 

Any class that accomplishes one of the following should be considered relevant:

                       

1.         Improves an operator’s ability to perform the job (specific courses e.g. backflow prevention, filter evaluation, jar testing or aerobic digestion)

 

2.         Improves an operator’s understanding of the basic concepts needed to comprehend water and wastewater industry processes (e.g. science or math).

                                                  

3.         Improves an operator’s ability to advance in the industry (e.g. management courses, technical writing or computer courses).

 

4.         Helps to assure the employee will go home safely each night. (e.g. chlorine safety, chemical safety, personal protective equipment, construction safety, electrical safety or emergency response).

 

5.         Improves an operator’s understanding of why things are done (e.g. local watershed history, history of water/wastewater treatment or evolution of treatment)

 

6.         Improves an operator’s understanding of the regulations governing water and wastewater.

 

7.         Improves plant operation (e.g. electrical, troubleshooting, SCADA or pump repair).

 

8.         Improves an operator’s ability to manage staff.