Explosives Safety Training for National Laboratories
TEEX collaborated with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to develop two courses: Explosives Safety Awareness for Lawrence Livermore and Explosives Safety Applications for National Laboratories. These courses provide foundational training for High Explosives Handlers as part of the LLNL High Explosives (HE) Handler qualification process.
For decades, LLNL had conducted explosives handler training independently, but with an increase in retirees and early career researchers, it became increasingly difficult to find master explosive handler trainers to train the next generation of researchers and technicians. Paired with an increased demand for skilled handlers, an innovative approach was needed.
The ultimate charge from leadership was to “expedite the training and certification process for new employees.” After implementing the new training program, the time it took a new employee to achieve qualification decreased from more than 24 months to six months, and LLNL/TEEX trainees receive more information and experience than earlier participants. A quality foundation in explosives safety training allows workers to be better prepared and able to synthesize more specific tasks required of their day-to-day assignments while assuring senior handlers that all personnel have received the same training.
TEEX is working with the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to develop similar explosives safety courses to enhance training for employees.
Emergency Management and Continuity of Operations Program Support
TEEX has provided on-site and off-site support including:
- Delivering incident management and incident command training.
- Reviewing and developing emergency management and continuity of operation program plans, procedures and guides.
- Developing and delivering tabletop exercises for Executive Leadership teams.
- Updating and converting several emergency management classroom courses to eLearning courses.
- Coordinating delivery of specialized response training for hazardous materials response teams, emergency operation center staff and incident command system.
Facility Operations Management Professional Development
TEEX and Los Alamos National Laboratory are collaborating on a professional development program for facility operations professionals. This program will consist of a foundational course series designed to provide new and early career staff with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to manage facilities and effectively and safely support operations. More phases will allow for advanced knowledge or skill development in specialized tracks.
Homeland Security Training
TEEX, along with the NNSA’s Center for Radiologic/Nuclear Training at the Nevada National Security Site, are both founding members of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) and have been leaders in providing homeland security training to state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) governments, first responders, emergency management and homeland security practitioners since 1998. Since its start, the NDPC has provided training for more than 3.6 million participants from all 50 states and U.S. territories, with TEEX training over 1 million of those participants.
Correction Action Plan (CAP) Effectiveness and Sustainability Review
TEEX provided a subject matter expert as part of a multidisciplinary team from representatives throughout the NSE to conduct a Low O2 Alarm Corrective Action Plan Effectiveness Review. TEEX primarily reviewed actions related to incident response and reporting; supported cross-functional interviews, policy and procedural reviews; and assisted in determining effectiveness, providing additional recommendations and completing the final written and oral reports.
Confined Space Training Prop Support
TEEX leadership recognized that a seldom-used TEEX confined space training prop would resolve a critical need for the effective delivery of required safety training for LANL personnel, ensure the safety of LANL employees and improve the safe operations of the laboratory, so they donated it to LANL.
Security Culture Training/Campaign
TEEX worked with LANL safety and security personnel to develop a security awareness campaign to improve the laboratory’s physical and information security efforts. This campaign consists of:
• Online micro-courses on eight to 12 security topics.
• Security reminders to provide at the beginning of meetings and to display on posters and digital banners.
• All training, digital banners, posters and meeting starters will focus on the “topic of the month.”
