Valve Crew Safety is a 15-minute online course that covers the safety hazards and best practices for water distribution valve maintenance crews. It addresses traffic safety, confined space awareness, ergonomic hazards, and the specific risks of operating underground valves in the field and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.
Water distribution valve crews work in some of the most hazardous conditions in municipal operations. According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), every valve in a distribution system should be exercised through a full cycle on a regular schedule to prevent deposit buildup and ensure reliability during emergencies. Valve crews routinely work in roadways with live traffic, enter below-grade vaults that may qualify as confined spaces, and perform physically demanding tasks that carry ergonomic injury risks. BLS data shows that water and wastewater utility workers experience injury rates above the national average for all private industry.
This course trains your valve crew members on the specific hazards they face in the field, including traffic control and work zone safety, confined space awareness for underground vaults, proper body mechanics for valve operation, and hazard recognition for common field conditions. The training emphasizes practical, scenario-based instruction that prepares crews to work safely in the unpredictable conditions of municipal water distribution maintenance.
Valve crews work under multiple OSHA standards depending on the specific tasks being performed. Work zone safety falls under the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and may trigger OSHA work zone citations. Underground valve vaults frequently meet the definition of permit-required confined spaces under 29 CFR 1910.146, which requires written programs, atmospheric testing, and trained entry teams. The ergonomic hazards of valve operation, while not covered by a specific OSHA standard, fall under the General Duty Clause when employers fail to address recognized musculoskeletal injury risks. OSHA penalties for confined space violations reach up to $16,550 for serious citations and $165,514 for willful violations. The AWWA recommends valve exercising programs as critical infrastructure maintenance, making safety training essential for the crews who perform this work.
| Team Size | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 - 9 | $24.95 |
| 10 - 24 | $19.95 |
| 25 - 49 | $17.95 |
| 50 - 99 | $17.50 |
Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.