New Document Outlines Minimum Training Guidelines for Operators
By Jim Craig, Industry Relations Manager
A new technical document from the Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI) could have a huge change in the way you rent machines and train fusion operators.
About a year ago, an advisory board consisting of municipal customers was developed by PPI. One of the problems the board noticed in the field is a difference in the level of training given to fusion operators before those operators rent equipment. Not only is the quantity of training time a big variable from situation to situation, but also the content that is covered in the training is often varied and inconsistent. In order to get a higher level of consistency in training, a task force comprised of distributors and pipe, fitting and equipment manufacturers came together to develop a training document.
The task group recently completed PPI TN 42-2009 “Recommended Minimum Training Guidelines for PE Pipe Butt Fusion Joining Operators for Municipal and Industrial Projects.” The document can be downloaded for free at the PPI website – www.plasticpipe.org. The hopes are that the document will help develop consistent training of operators who are renting fusion equipment for a specific project.
Students can receive McElroy training at various locations throughout the world.
McElroy is encouraging everyone renting out fusion machines and those using the machines to download and read this document and use it as a guide for the minimum training operators receive before renting equipment for a polyethylene pipe project.
This document can be helpful to anyone in the fusion industry. It includes the following:
- Safety tips
- Pipe-handling tutorials
- Job set-up guidelines
- Explanation of the butt fusion process
- How-to for using ASTM F2620 Fusion Standard and fusion machines for making quality joints
- Tips for visual inspection of the joint
According to TN42-2009, the fusion operator is required to make two test joints and conduct a bend test. A testing record will be filled out that documents all parts of the training process, with a copy given to the operator for the project’s needs. Once the procedure is adopted by all distributors and customers renting fusion equipment, the industry will have the consistency and credibility that is called for and desired by the Advisory Board of Municipal Customers.
To download this document, click the following link:
http://plasticpipe.org/pdf/tn-42-min-training-guide-pe-butt-fusion.pdf
P.S. – Do you have an interesting job site that you would like to share? McElroy is always looking for fusion job sites where HDPE is being used and fused to solve an infrastructure problem. Contact Tyler Henning, public relations specialist at (918) 831-9286 or by email at thenning@mcelroy.com |
