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Pre-Technical Foundation Skills

Industrial Safety

Course #: Block X23
Duration: 35 hours
What Students Learn: A newly expanded seven lesson block that provides the trainee with specific instruction for safe work practice in an industrial environment. The block contains an introductory unit that introduces safety philosophies and terminology as well as acquainting the student with OSHA policy and the "Right-to-Know" laws. New units specific to fire safety, pressurized gasses and welding, chemical and electrical hazards, as well as safe machine usage have been added. An updated unit on material handling is included.
Components: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Material Handling Safety (186006); Working Safely with Chemicals (186002); Fire Safety (186003); Safe Handling of Pressurized Gasses and Welding (186004); Electrical Safety for the Trades (186005); Machine Shop Safety (186007);
Special Notes: This updated course replaces Industrial Safety, Block X03. Each study unit contains a progress examination.

Trades Safety: Getting Started

Course #: 186001
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
A thorough knowledge of safe practices is an important part of working in any industrial setting. Every industrial worker should be familiar with accident prevention techniques, fire safety mehods, and the use of personal protective equipment.
Injuries in the workplace cost many millions of dollars in medical costs, lost wages, and production losses each year. Many injuries can be prevented by understanding how accidents and injuries can occur. This study unit is designed to help trainees understand why safety is so important, and to present students with information about safety that goes beyond common sense.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:

  • Name the agencies that make and enforce safety regulations and explain an employees responsibilities under those regulations.
  • List the physical hazards associated with chemicals and describe how to avoid those hazards.
  • Name several electrical shock hazards and the techniques used to prevent shocks.
  • List the steps in a lock-out / tag-out procedure.
  • Explain the importance of machine guarding and name several types of machine guards.
  • Name the four classes of fire and how to extinguish each of them.
  • Describe the proper technique used to lift a heavy load.
  • Explain how to avoid hand injuries when using hand and power tools.
  • List some of the hazards involved in welding and hot cutting operations and how to prevent them.
  • Explain how job analysis and the science of ergonomics are used to improve the workplace.
  • Explain the importance of personal protective equipment and name several types of PPE.

  • Contents
    Introduction; Safety Regulations; Key safety Issues; Protecting Yourself and Your Co-workers.

Working Safely with Chemicals

Course #: 186002
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
This study unit deals with the safe use of chemicals in the workplace. The two primary causes of chemical accidents are the misuse of chemicals and the improper disposal of chemical wastes. Understanding the hazards that chemicals can create is the first step in protecting people from harm.
The main goal of this study unit is to provide students with sound, practical knowledge about chemical use and disposal, both in the workplace and at home. You will learn how to recognize common chemical hazards and how to deal with them. Trainees will learn how to perform a job analysis to look for potential chemical dangers in your daily taks. Finally, people will learn how to take precautions to avoid chemical accidents and make all jobs as safe as possible.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:

  • Recognize the six different ways in which a chemical can cause physical injury.
  • Name the routes or paths of entry by which chemicals can enter the body.
  • Describe the types of injuries caused by chemicals.
  • Identify potential chemical dangers in your workplace.
  • Describe how to identify, store and label hazardous chemicals.
  • List several methods used to prevent chemical accidents.
  • Explain why proper training is important to chemical handling.
  • Describe the types of personal protective equipment used and worn when handling chemicals.
  • Explain the role of governmental agencies in enforcing chemical regulations.

  • Contents
    Introduction: Living with Chemicals; Chemical Injuries; Accident Prevention; Handling Hazardous Wastes.

Fire Safety

Course #: 186003
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
Fires are the most destructive and expensive of all accidents. However, fires can be effectvely prevented through the combined use of technology and common sense. By understanding how fires get started and how to extinguish them, students will have much of the knowledge needed to protect people from fire. This study unit will introduce trainees to the information you need to practice fire safety and prevention in the workplace.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:

  • Describe the types of property losses and injuries associated with fires.
  • Explain how fires are ignited.
  • Identify the four classes of fire.
  • Describe the primary fire hazards found in the workplace.
  • Explain the various ways in which fires can be prevented.
  • Describe the operation of several different fixed fire protection systems.
  • Identify the proper type of portable fire extinguisher to use on a fire.
  • Describe the operation of several different types of fire extinguishers.
  • Explain how to defend yourself and others in a fire situation.
  • Describe how to safely evacuate a burning building.

  • Contents
    Introduction to Fire; Fire Hazards in the Workplace; Preventing Fires; Fixed Fire Protection Equipment; Portable Fire Extinguishers; Fire Protection Techniques.

Safe Handling of Pressurized Gasses and Welding

Course #: 186004
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
This study unit will teach students important safety facts and practices involving the high pressure and low pressure gases used in welding. Covered are the fundamentals of electric arc welding, equipment requirements and proper operating procedures. Trainees will learn general welding safety and specific practices. You will learn about controlling heat sources from welding operations to protect yourself from harm and your facility from fire.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:

  • Identify common welding gases and understand how they are used in welding operations.
  • Point out the hazards associated with welding gases.
  • Safely handle and store different types of gas cylinders.
  • Safely operate a basic gas welding setup.
  • Recognize the safety considerations involved in the setup and operation of electric arc welding equipment.
  • Identify welding equipment malfunctions and take corrective action.
  • Utilize fire prevention and protection methods specific to welding operations.
  • Discuss the importance of the hot work permit program in your facility.
  • Explain the correct use of protective clothing and equipment for welding.
  • Utilize proper ventilation when welding.
  • Effectively deal with confined spaces when performing welding operations.

  • Contents
    Safety in Welding and Cutting; Safe Handling and Storage of Gas Cylinders; Use of Oxy-fuel Welding and Cutting Systems; Safe Operation of Welding Equipment; Safe Use of Electric Arc Welding Equipment; Protection of Welders and Welding Facilities.

Electrical Safety for the Trades

Course #: 186005
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
This study unit will introduce students to many workplace situations that require you to work safely with electricity. You will learn how and why electricity can be dangerous. Trainees will also learn about various methods used for protection. Safety begins with the careful installation of electrical components by means of approved wiring methods. You should use safety procedures and practices that insulate you from electricity's power anytime you work with, or near, electrical equipment and components.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:

  • Explain how electricity can harm you and your property.
  • Discuss the importance of properly using quality electrical components.
  • Follow the basic methods of protection when wiring electrical installations.
  • Tell why it is important to ground electrical equipment and systems.
  • Select the type of electrical equipment to use in a hazardous location.
  • List the safety practices required in an electrical work area.
  • Talk about the importance of a clear working space around electrical equipment.
  • Educate your own level of safety training to be sure it matches the electrical work you are performing.

  • Contents
    Introduction to Electrical Safety; Using Proper Materials and Components; Equipment Grounding; Hazardous Locations; Safe Working Clearances; Safety Practices.

Material Handling Safety

Course #: 186006
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
This study unit introduces the safe techniques and work practices commonly used when handling manufacturing and industrial materials. Trainees will learn the procedures necessary to avoid physical injury to yourself and those working with you, for both manual handling methods and mechanical handling methods. You will also learn procedures that minimize damage to the materials being moved and to facility property. Knowing the proper procedures will also give you the insight to decide when mechanical handling is necessary, or preferred, over traditional physical handling.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:

  • Recognize the hazards associated with handling materials.
  • Know the types of injuries that can be caused by these hazards.
  • Understand how to effectively use safe material handling practices.
  • Know how to avoid physical injury when handling loads.
  • Know and follow the rules for safe operation of powered industrial material handling equipment.
  • Understand and respect the limits and restrictions placed on powered material handling mechanisms.

  • Contents
    Introduction to Material Handling; Housekeeping and Storage; Material Handling Equipment; Hoists and Cranes.

Machine Shop Safety

Course #: 186007
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
In this study unit, trainees will gain a better understanding of the work practices necessary to operate industrial machinery, such as a bench-top drill press or a ten ton mechancial poewer press, safely. You will learn how the principles and practices used to keep ypu safe from injury can be incorporated into your daily routine.
Providing a safe work enviornment is the responsibility of the employer. It is the employees responsibility to work safely at all times, especially when using power driven machinery. Awareness and sound practice of the safety procedures you'll learn offer your best defense against workplace injuries. In this study unit, students will learn the skills needed to become a productive and safe industrial machine operator.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:

  • Recognize the basic machine motions that can present a hazard to workers.
  • Recognize the types of machinery most likely to be hazardous to workers.
  • Understand the types of injuries caused by accidents commonly associated with unsafe machine operating procedures.
  • Discuss the importance of machine guarding and how to incorporate methods of guarding to avoid physical injury.
  • Recognize the four basic types of machine guards commonly used in industry.
  • Control various forms of hazardous machine energy through the use of lockout / tagout procedures.
  • Understand how and why to properly use personal protective equipment for added protection when using industrial equipment.

  • Contents
    Introduction to Machine Safety; Machine Safeguarding; Types of Machinery; Machine Controls and Control Equipment; Protective Equipment and Procedures.

Basic Industrial Math

Course #: Block X21
Duration: 30 hours
What Students Learn: This module of six study units offers the trainee arithmetic and basic mathematics, metric measurement, and calculator fundamentals. The Metric System is an introductory unit which includes metric conversions. Problem exercises and examples in this module are presented in on-the-job scenarios with applications drawn from the industrial context.
Components: Addition and Subtraction (186008); Multiplication and Division (186009); Fractions, Percents, Proportions, and Angles (186010); Metric System (186011); Formulas (186012); Introduction to Algebra (186013);
Special Notes: This updated course replaces lessons contained within Practical Math and Measurements, Block X01. Each study unit contains a progress examination.

Addition and Subtraction

Course #: 186008
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn:

  • Define the terms: whole number, numeral, digit, decimal, place value, addend, sum, minuend, subtrahend, and difference.
  • Explain the significance of the digit zero in a number.
  • Differentiate between concrete and abstract numbers.
  • Properly prepare numbers for addition and subtraction.
  • Perform addition and subtraction on numbers.
  • How to check your answers to both addition and subtraction problems.
  • How to use a calculator to add and subtract numbers.

Multiplication and Division

Course #: 186009
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn:

  • Define the terms: factor, multiplicand, multiplier, partial product, dividend, divisor, quotient, and remainder.
  • Recognize the various signs used for multiplication and division.
  • Properly prepare numbers for multiplication and division.
  • Perform multiplication and division on whole numbers and decimals.
  • How to check your answers to both multiplication and division problems.
  • How to find the average of a group of numbers.
  • How to use a calculator to multiply and divide numbers.

Fractions, Percents, Proportions, and Angles

Course #: 186010
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn:

  • Define the terms: fraction, proper fraction, improper fraction, lowest common denominator, percent, ratio, and proportion.
  • How to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions and decimals.
  • How to change fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions.
  • Solve problems involving percent.
  • How to use a protractor to measure angles.
  • Lay out templates for checking angles.
  • How to use a calculator to solve percent problems and to convert fractions to decimals.

Metric System

Course #: 186011
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn:

  • Name the base units most commonly used in the metric system.
  • Identify metric prefixes and their values.
  • Apply conversion factors to increase or decrease metric base units.
  • Estimate lengths in metric units.
  • Express temperature in degrees Celsius.
  • Define the terms: mass, density, force, torque, and pressure. Identify the metric units used to measure each one.
  • How to use a calculator to convert one metric unit to another.

Formulas

Course #: 186012
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn:

  • Explain the use of letters in formulas.
  • Prepare and use formulas to solve problems.
  • The use of formulas to calculate the perimeter of a triangle and rectangle, distance, area of a triangle, rectangle, and circle, volume of a pyramid, current in a circuit, and volume of a sphere.
  • How to use a calculator to find square root and solve formulas.
  • Transform and solve an equation.
  • Perform basic arithmetic operations with signed terms.
  • Substitute given numerical values for letters in a formula and find the unknown quantity.

    Special Notes: This updated course replaces 2468.

Introduction to Algebra

Course #: 186013
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn:

  • Define the terms: term, constant, coefficient, exponent, monomial, trinomial, and polynomial.
  • Identify and combine like terms in an expression.
  • Multiply and divide terms containing exponents.
  • Remove parentheses from an expression and simplify the expression.
  • Perform basic arithmetic operations with signed terms.

Practical Geometry and Trigonometry

Course #: 5567
Duration: 10 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22);
What Students Learn: Points, Lines, and Angles; Triangles and Quadrilaterals; Polygons; Circles; Prisms and Cylinders; Pyramids and Cones; Spheres Pythagorean Theorem; Perimeters and Areas of Plane Figures; Surface Areas and Volumes of Solids; Trigonometric Functions; Applications of Trigonometric Functions; Laws of Sines and Cosines.

Introduction to Print Reading

Course #: 186039
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:

  • Identify the various kinds of lines used on drawings.
  • Compare and contrast the various types of drawings.
  • Relate the information given in the title block and bill of material to the drawing.
  • Define different types of scales used on drawings.

Dimensioning

Course #: 186040
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:

  • Identify the height, width, and length dimensions of a drawing.
  • Interpret dimensions on angles, arcs, fillets, rounds, holes, and chamfers.
  • Interpret the surface finish symbols for roughness, waviness, and lay.

Tolerancing and Symbols

Course #: 186041
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:

  • Tell the position method from the bracket method of dual dimensioning.
  • Identify the three general classes of fits.
  • Interpret unilateral and bilateral tolerances.
  • Interpret the various symbols and notations used on drawings.

Sectional Views and Simplified Drafting

Course #: 186042
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:

  • Tell one type of section from another.
  • Interpret the various types of sections.
  • Interpret drawings using simplified drafting methods.

Reading Shop Prints

Course #: 6720A-B
Duration: 20 hours
Course Prerequisites: Elements of Print Reading (6719A-B); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22);
What Students Learn: PART 1 (6720A). Unilateral and Bilateral Tolerances; Reading Detail Working Drawings; Pulley Bar: Studying the Print, Material Needed, Machining Operations; Idler Shaft: Reading the Print, Producing the Idler Shaft; Wheel Puller: Plate Details and Layout, Machining Operations, Finishing Operations.
PART 2 (6720B). Examples of Prints: Bumper Band, Door-Latch Bracket, Roller; Chain Tightener, Bracket, Lateral; Gears: Spur-Gear Terms, Bevel-Gear Terms, Detail Drawing of Bevel Pinion, Worm and Worm Wheel, Assembly Drawings, Machining Operations, Assembly Procedures.

Preventive Maintenance

Course #: 286085
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22);
What Students Learn: Preview
The purpose of a preventive maintenance program is to locate possible machine or equipment faults before the machine fails.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:

  • Describe the function of inspection and scheduled maintenance as the basis of preventive maintenance.
  • Explain why preventive maintenance is performed and how it's scheduled.
  • Identify those within industry who should be part of preventive maintenance planning and execution.
  • Discuss the causes, effects, and goals of a successful preventive maintenance program.
  • Explain how a computerized preventive maintenance program can be developed and implemented.

  • Contents
    Introduction To Preventive Maintenance; Why Perform Preventive Maintenance?; Scheduling Preventive Maintenance; PM Program Personnel; PM Program Goals; Computerized PM Programs.

Preventive Maintenance Techniques

Course #: 286086
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22);
What Students Learn: Preview
How to implement a preventive maintenance (PM) program is just as important as the why and when of such a program. It doesn't pay to create a well thought out and scheduled PM program only to have the lubrication, inspection, or repair tasks performed improperly. The objective of this unit is to show you how to perform these tasks safely and properly. This will include showing you typical PM tasks as they are performed on common industrial equipment.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:

  • Explain how to inspect and properly maintain a belt, chain, and gearbox power transmission system.
  • Discuss why proper alignment is necessary when operating a power transmission system.
  • List the steps needed to properly maintain an AC or DC motor.
  • Explain how to perform a start-up or bump test of a motor.
  • Describe how to perform PM tasks on pneumatic systems.
  • Describe how to maintain both floor and elevated conveyor systems.
  • Identify the types of elevators and vertical lifts in your plant and the proper PM procedures for this equipment.
  • Explain how to maintain liquid and vacuum pump systems.
  • Describe how to perform a basic alignment of in-line shafts.
  • List the proper PM procedures for electronic controllers and robot systems.

  • Contents
    PM Of Power Transmission Systems; PM Of Electric Motors And Controllers; PM Of Pneumatic Systems; PM Of Conveyors; PM Of Vertical Lifts; PM Of Vacuum And Fluid Pumps; PM Of Electronic Controllers; PM Of Robots.

Using the Vernier Caliper

Course #: VB0301
Duration: 18 hours
What Students Learn:

  • Show the limitations of 6" steel ruler.
  • Explain 32nd and 64th scale measurement to 1/1,000th of an inch.
  • Demonstrate practice in reading external and internal scales.

Introduction to the Outside Micrometer

Course #: VB0302
Duration: 18 hours
What Students Learn:

  • Introduce the parts of the micrometer.
  • Demonstrate how the micrometer is read to a thousandth and a tenth of a thousandth of an inch.
  • Provide reading practice.
  • Show a direct reading micrometer.

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