The program takes place at Kansas State University in the Hal Ross Flour Mill. Participants will be required to complete three hour-long online sessions on safety, lubrication and preventative maintenance before starting the training on site. After a safety orientation, participants are divided into six groups, working on modules involving the following equipment: bucket elevator, distributors, screw conveyors, bin sweep, chain conveyors and belt conveyors.
GEAPS International President Barb Kraft, Landus Cooperative, said the program will provide tremendous value to companies.
“It is very expensive for any grain handling or processing facility to have downtime,” Kraft said. “The HOT program allows your employees to gain valuable experience working on common grain conveying equipment without sacrificing operations at your facility. The small group format will give everyone plenty of opportunities to work on the equipment and ask instructors questions.”
Participants will spend approximately two-and-a-half hours on each module before moving on to the next piece of equipment. The first day will include safety orientation and two modules, the second day will include two additional modules, before completing the final module on the last day. Participants are required to bring work attire and steel toe boots. Common safety equipment, including hardhats, will be provided by the university.
The program costs $1,375 for GEAPS members and $1,725 for non-members. It can accommodate a maximum of 30 participants. Once the limit has been reached, prospective participants can join a waitlist. Upon completion, participants will earn at least two continuing education units (CEUs) from GEAPS and Kansas State University and a certificate of completion.
Marcus Neal, Lansing Trade Group, GEAPS International board chair, said the program will benefit a wide range of grain operations workers.
“There is a lot to learn for frontline maintenance workers, grain facility managers, and supervisors with equipment repair or maintenance roles,” Neal said. “Looking back at my own career, this program would have been a tremendous asset for me when I was beginning to learn these skill sets.”
The HOT Program has been in development since August 2013. For more information about the program, clickhere.
