Safety Training

Safety is our #1 concern

Safety Training and Continued Education

K.R. Swerdfeger Construction has maintained an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) below industry average for 10 consecutive years. And, over that decade, KRSC realized steady growth. With that expansion comes the ever-increasing need for additional and consistent safety education and protocols to be in place.

Our current training programs include:

Trenching and Excavation Training
Competent person training
Permit / Non-Permit confined space entry
Hazardous Communication
Fleet Safety
Lock-out / Tag-out
OSHA 10-30 Training
Respiration Safety
Asbestos Awareness
MSHA Certification
Fall Protection
Excavation Safety
Forklift Operation
First Aid and CPR
Rigging Certification
Hazardous Communcation Program
Plus more…

Our current continued education/personal improvement offerings include:

Fit tests
Grade Check Training
Flagger Certification
OQ Training
Erosion Control Certification
CAD, Micosoft, Excel
Pipe Fusion Training
Rigging Certification
Drug and Alcohol Programs
Fit Testing
OQ Training
Commercial Motor Vehicle Training
Plus more…

Operator Qualification (OQ)

In 1999, the DOT amended gas and liquid pipeline regulations to include Operator Qualifications (OQ) rules. The OQ Rule became effective in October 2002. The rule requires operators of pipelines to use only qualified personnel to perform key operating and maintenance work designated as “covered tasks,” regardless of whether the personnel are employed directly by the operator, or by a contractor or subcontractor. Qualified personnel must also be able to recognize and react to “abnormal operating conditions.”

K.R. Swerdfeger Construction ensures that our employees are qualified to perform the covered tasks requested by our client pipeline facility owners. KRSC subscribes to and administers our OQ training through Midwest Energy Association’s EnergyU program. Evaluation methods and qualification criteria applied to a covered task will vary from task to task. Training will be provided, as appropriate, to ensure that individuals performing covered tasks have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the tasks in a manner that ensures the safe operation of pipeline facilities. The evaluation method chosen for any specific covered task will include one or more of the following:

1. Online Testing through MEA’s EnergyU training program
2. Performance Evaluations (PEF’s):
  – performance on the job
  – on-the-job training
  – simulation
  – oral examination

KRSC is also a member of ISNetworld, which maintains complete and accurate OQ information on our qualified employees as well as company safety statistics, written safety programs and policies, OSHA logs, Experience Modification Rates (EMR) and current insurance certificates.

K.R. Swerdfeger Construction is committed to ensuring that our responsibilities as a contractor are in full compliance with any client pipeline facility owner’s written OQ plan.

For more information on these organizations, please click on their logos below:

Certificate Awarded by Year
Best Improved Safety Performance Colorado Contractors Association, Inc. 1982, 1983
Certificate of Commendation for Safety Excellence, more than 25% below average incidence rate. The Associated General Contractors of America 1990
Certificate of Commendation for Safety Excellent Safety Record, 25% below division incidence rate The Associated General Contractors of America 1993
Recognition for 25% Below Average Incidence Rate Colorado Contractors Association, Inc. 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2010, 2013
A Member of Good Standing Distribution Contrators Association 1997
Recognition for 75% Below Average Incidence Rate Colorado Contractors Association, Inc. 1999
Outstanding Safety Performance Distribution Contrators Association 2000
Arthur T. Everham Safety Award, 2nd runnner-up Distribution Hours over 200,000 Distribution Contrators Association 2001
Improved Safety Award Colorado Contractors Association, Inc. 2001, 2011
William H. Feather Safety Award honarable mention certificate for commendable achievement in the field of construction safety. The National Utility Contractors Association 2003
Certificate of Commendation for Excellent Safety Record, Zero Incidence Rate 50,000 work hours The Associated General Contractors of America 2003, 2005
Recognition for Zero Incidence Rate - 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Premium Cost Containment Department of Labor and Employment Division of Workers' Compensation 2009
75% Below the average Incident rate Colorado Contractors Association, Inc. 2009
2013 NUCA of Colorado Safety Award NUCA of Colorado 2013