Chelmsford participates in bucket truck safety training

(November 30, 2012) – Committed to promoting and ensuring the safety of municipal workers, the town of Chelmsford recently participated in a Bucket Truck Safety Training seminar held in Littleton for 31 municipal employees from Massachusetts communities. The training was held on October 23 at the Littleton Police Station and was presented free of charge as a membership benefit by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), Chelmsford’s property and casualty insurance provider.

The day-long seminar, designed for both bucket truck operators and ground workers, focused on safety and operational issues such as: bucket truck mechanics and setup, daily inspection and emergency procedures, electrical hazards and clearance, proper harness/belt configurations, proper care and maintenance, and unsafe practices that should be avoided. Participants also learned about important guidelines from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Randy Purser, a trainer with Crane’s Safety Institute of Bellingham, Mass., conducted the Bucket Truck Safety Training program.

“The Town of Chelmsford participated in the bucket truck safety program in order to prevent injuries to its employees,” said Paul Cohen, town manager. “This loss prevention reduces any adverse impact to the workers and their families, while also reducing the Town’s insurance claims.”

According to OSHA, organizations with employees who are required to use aerial lifts (such as bucket trucks) on the job must take measures to fully educate employees regarding the safe use of equipment. Common causes of injuries and fatalities during bucket truck work include falls, electrocutions, collapses and tip overs. Upon completion of the Bucket Truck Safety Training and other MIIA risk- and loss-prevention programs, Chelmsford is eligible to receive insurance premium credits through the MIIA Rewards Programs, reducing its property and casualty insurance costs.

About MIIA

MIIA is the non-profit, member-based insurance arm of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) insuring nearly 400 cities, towns, and other public entities in the state. In fiscal year 2012, nearly 8,000 city and town employees participated in nearly 400 MIIA-sponsored technical trainings and management seminars offered throughout the state. Member municipalities' efforts yielded more than $2.6 million of premium credit collectively through the MIIA Rewards incentive program for a 10-year total of over $17.3 million. For more information please visit www.emiia.org and www.mma.org.