JANUARY 2024|VOL.3 NO.1
SELCAT Spotlight
www.selcat.com
In this issue
Knife Safety Many accidents occur using knives. Some accidents occur because we don’t think and sometimes do the following: Draw the knife towards you while cutting, instead of away from you. Working with a dull knife. Trying to cut more than the knife can handle. Not wearing the proper PPE. More than $300 million in medical costs are spent each year due to hand lacerations alone. In fact, nearly 40% of all injuries are attributed accidents involving knives with retractable/folding blades. When it comes to line work, leather has long been the glove of choice. Leather gloves can stand up to tough jobs by providing cushioning from blows, protects from sharp objects, sparks and heat. Compliance with OSHA 1910.138 for hand protection begins with a workplace hazard assessment. The goal is to eliminate hazards through engineering controls or prevent access through guarding. Leather gloves can provide you the hand protection you need whether you’re hauling debris from a wreck out, operating machinery or climbing poles. They also provide warmth during cold days, to comfort and protection while engaging in daily line work tasks.
January 2024 Top Outs See a list of Top Outs for January 2024
SSVP-SkillBridge Read about SELCAT’s DoD registered SkillBridge program for active service members
Office Tips A few office tips from our Office Manager, Melanie Dingler
Meet Rhett Meet our new Assistant Director of Training & Instructor Lead, Rhett Passmore.
Milwaukee Apprentice of the Month See the February 2024 Milwaukee Apprentice of the Month.
Important dates:
February 5-16, 2024 OH FTS Class
February 9, 2024 Transformer 2-SELCAT February 10, 2024 3rd Year Online Class February 14, 2024 1st Aid/CPR- SELCAT February 19-20, 2024 CDL Testers @ SELCAT
-Keep ‘em clean - You’re not a Ninja, don’t throw knives-Let it fall, never try catching a knife- Cut away from yourself, never towards - Don’t use it as a pry bar- sharp knives are safe knives-
February 17, 2024 1st YR OH/URD Online Class Substation Online Class February 21-23, 2024-Moore Haven Office 1st Aid, CPR & OSHA
JANUARY 2024
SELCAT SPOTLIGHT
Did You Know SELCAT has a registered SkillBridge Program for active service members?
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Southeastern Line Constructors Apprenticeship & Training has a DoD registered SkillBridge program. What is a SkillBridge program? SkillBridge is a program offered through the military for active service members who are eligible to participate in their last 180 days of service prior to exiting service. If eligible, the service member would come to SELCAT (within the 180 day time frame) for a 6 week course. While at SELCAT the service member will still receive their military pay and benefits while receiving their 1st year of apprenticeship training. After the 6 weeks are completed, the service member will return to their base to complete their discharge process. Once discharged, SELCAT will put you on the list to go to work and begin the apprenticeship shortly after. The service member will already have their 1st year of book work and testing completed, have attended our FTS training, and would begin as a 2nd step apprentice. Also, service members completing the 6 week SSVP program will receive a $1,000 gift certificate from Buckingham for required climbing gear, and, a complete set of required hand tools needed from Milwaukee Tools! Once you begin the apprenticeship after your service is completed, you can apply to use your GI Bill/Post 911 benefits as well. Since SELCAT does not charge a tuition, use your money for other living expenses. For more information contact Jennifer Gibbons at jenniferg@selcat.com or scan the QR Code below!
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Office Tips from Ms. Melanie Melanie Dingler SELCAT Office Manager
Apprentices have alot of information to retain both at work and within the apprenticeship. To help, here are a few office tips from Ms. Melanie, the Office Manager.
Please remember when placing a book order through the online store, it may take up to 10 business days to process your order. - What does this mean? Your LMS online access is not automatically added to your LMS account upon purchase. A SELCAT team member must add your new access to the LMS platform. - How do I know when my order has been processed? You will receive an e-mail to your SELCAT e-mail address indicating that your order has been processed with any necessary log in information provided at this time. You will also receive an e-mail notification from the online store when your order has been fulfilled. A few updates for our Veterans using their VA Benefits: -When your welcome packet is e-mailed out, you should receive additional paperwork to complete and return to SELCAT to enroll you with our facility to utilize your VA benefits. It is imperative that you complete and return this paperwork to SELCAT for our team to enroll you with the VA. - Beginning January 2024 and moving forward, a report will be pulled on/around the 15th of the month for the preceding months posted hours to submit monthly hours to the VA. If you have hours that are still in pending status awaiting evaluation and hours approval from your supervisor at the time this report is pulled, these hours will NOT be reported until the following month that this report is pulled provided your supervisor approves the hours and submits the monthly evaluation on those hours.
JANUARY 2024
SELCAT SPOTLIGHT
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Meet Rhett Passmore Meet Rhett Passmore, SELCAT’s new Assistant Director of Training and Instructor Lead. Rhett worked many years as a firefighter before becoming a lineman in 2005. He began his lineman career on a Barehand transmission crew for Dillard Smith and in 2007 tramp worked for a while. In 2009, he found a home with Service Electric Company. Later in his career around 2013, Rhett became Barehand certified and went to Florida for Quanta Energized Services. Rhett was there until he took a position with Georgia Power in 2015. He was with Georgia Power until 2017 and then returned to Service Electric Company. In 2021, Rhett took a position with Pierce Powerline which would eventually lead him to a position on our Team here at SELCAT. Rhett has also been a weekend Instructor for SELCAT for the past 5 years. We couldn’t be happier to have Rhett on our team and to see what his experience in the trade will bring to our classroom!
Milwaukee Apprentice of the Month
February 2024 ANDREW MANNING 5th Step Overhead Apprentice New Market, TN Local 760
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January 2024 SELCAT Top Outs Congratulations to the following individuals for finishing their apprenticeship in January 2024 and becoming Journeymen! Journeyman Lineman
Journeyman Substation Technician
Logan Willis Roland Poltier Justin Kemmer Brandon Dixon Christopher Isaacs James Bridges James Sharp Edgar Olvera Garrett Stroud
Jonathan Bolton Johnothan McKinney
t h g i E e r u g Fi Knot
KNOW YOUR KNOTS..
The most common use of the figure-eight knot is at the end of a rope to temporarily prevent the strands from unlaying. It is also useful for preventing the end of a rope from slipping through a block or an eye. It can be tied easily and quickly and does not jam as easily as an overhand knot. It is also larger, stronger, and causes less injury to the rope fiber.