It has been a fast and furious first quarter of 2001 at CSC/TC. Our year began with the busiest January on record: just under 5,000 workers passed through our doors in January alone. The onslaught continued in February, 2001, and we finally returned to historic training levels in March and April of this year. No matter how much we try to prepare for these large volumes of contract workers, it is always a struggle to process this many people, so we thank you for your patience during this time.

Much has happened at CSC/TC during this first quarter of 2001, and will continue throughout the year. I'll attempt to summarize our major activities in this editorial.

Program Services / Training Curriculum:
Basic Plus Refresher 2001 was installed in our Computer Based Training (CBT) Lab in January, 2001. Contract workers with a valid Basic Orientation Plus (BOP) card or who have successfully completed the BOP in the past 24 months are eligible for this course, which reviews the components of the BOP and also includes a module on the benefits of performing a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).

The Basic Orientation Plus Program:
Basic Orientation Plus is currently under revision by the ARSC Curriculum Committee. The slide show portion of the program will be updated to include digital photos emphasizing major learning objectives. This revision will be completed by the last quarter of 2001, and implemented in January, 2002.

Basic Plus Refresher Program:
A timeline has been developed for this program for the implementation of a new module covering heat stress. This module will be included in the 2002 Basic Plus Refresher Program. ARSC is committed to annual updates of the Basic Plus Refresher Program.

OSHA Compliance:
An updated training matrix detailing the OSHA compliance items covered in the Basic Orientation Plus Program was completed and inserted into our 2001 calendar of events. This is available upon request and sent to all active members of CSC/TC. This matrix also instructs the employers regarding what items must be covered by the employer to ensure compliance with the applicable OSHA standards.

HAZWOPER Training:
CSC/TC began offering three (3) Hazardous Waste training courses at our location beginning in March, 2001. These courses are the 8-hour HazWaste Refresher Program, 24-hour HazWaste training for RCRA sites, and 40-hour HazWaste training for CERCLA sites. The curriculum was developed by Safety Information and Services (SIS) who had been our provider of HazWaste training for over ten years. Due to the retirement of the owners of SIS, CSC/TC has assumed this curriculum and offers these course monthly or more often if requested by our membership when minimum enrollment is guaranteed. Check this Web site for the dates of training or request our 2001 Calendar of Events.

Customer Service:
Effective April 2, 2001, the Basic Orientation Plus program class time was changed to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday. This change was the result of numerous suggestions that the old start time of 9:30 a.m. gave the students no time for lunch. The current course lasts approximately 3.5 hours and with 0.5 hour for testing, the student could be finished by noon. The site specific programs could be completed after a short lunch break and allow the worker time to be at the plant facility by early afternoon.

Customer Service Questionnaire:
CSC/TC has enacted a program to solicit comments from our customers. This questionnaire allows us to evaluate our programs in the areas of: 1) Helpfulness of staff, 2) Politeness of staff, 3) Professionalism of staff, 4) Processing time, 5) Appearance of facility, and 6) Overall experience of CSC/TC. These "customer comment cards" are reviewed with all staff members monthly and action plans are implemented to correct deficiencies. The greatest challenge during peak training periods is processing time. It is CSC/TC policy to place students into their needed courses, but the badge CANNOT be issued until the proper paperwork is received. This policy was established by the CSC/TC Board and provides us assurance that we will be paid for services rendered.

ARSC Common Card:
CSC/TC plans to implement usage of the Association of Reciprocal Safety Councils' Common Card. This card, currently being tested by the safety councils in Houston, Baton Rouge, and Nederland, TX, would allow contractors to complete site specific training for our CSC/TC facilities via the web. The student would receive the training and upon successful completion, receive the ARSC badge. The student could proceed directly to the CSC/TC user companies' facility and not be required to procure a CSC/TC badge. Many components must be in place for this to occur and CSC/TC has the commitment from our Board and User Companies to make this transition. Look for this to occur beginning in the third quarter of 2001.

Facility Renovation:
The CSC/TC Board approved a renovation of the CSC/TC facility in Texas City at the March, 2001 Board meeting. This renovation will provide new wall and floor covering, upgrade of the HVAC system, upgrade of training classrooms, relocation of the respirator fit testing services and expansion of the computer based training (CBT) lab by 24 units. This project will begin in May, 2001, and be completed in approximately three months. In the interim, please forgive our dust and construction inconveniences.

Online Registration via ISNetWorld:
CSC/TC has provided our membership with the opportunity to register students online via the Internet and ISNetWorld. In addition, contractors may choose to subscribe to ISNetWorld and utilize a customized database system to maintain personnel records, safety council training records and craft/skill assessments.

Annual Meeting Fun and Games:
CSC/TC will sponsor its 2nd Annual Golf Tournament / Membership Meeting on June 28, 2001 at Bayou Golf Club, Texas City. Cost will be #100 / team. The field will be limited to the first 36 teams to register. Last year's tournament was an outstanding success with 43 teams entered. We expect a full field, so register early!

As you can see, things are happening at CSC/TC. For the most up-to-date information, continue to visit or Web site because "the times, they are a'changin'!"