OSHA 10 (Telecom) – Currently there are 10-hour courses that are tailored to telecommunications work. These 10-hour courses are the primary means to be used. However, until such a time as the training provider is able to work with OSHA to have a new 500 course in place, we will be recognizing a construction-based 10-hour course. Employees must receive a card showing they have completed the course. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) - Each apprentice must be trained in the inspection, care and use of PPE for the particular SOW and hazards addressed through their use. While the apprentice is being trained in PPE inspection, care and use, they are to be under direct supervision of a journey worker at all times, enabling them to draw on the competencies of the journey worker as they grow in experience in the inspection care, and proper use of PPE. Examples of PPE used by an apprentice include: hard hat, proper footwear, eye/face protection, hearing protection, and fall protection equipment. This list is not exclusive or exhaustive as the SOW may require the supervisory, journey worker to engage other types of engineering controls or safety measures. (CPR)/First Aid/Blood borne Pathogens (BBP) – This course is recognized as completed as long as it meets or exceeds the requirements of the American Red Cross or American Heart Association, or National Safety Council. The employee must achieve certification in accord with at least one of these two programs. First Aid and CPR are to be kept current. Radio Frequency (RF) – RF H&S training must comply with applicable portions of the Federal Communications Commission, The Office of Engineering and Technology's (FCC OET) 56 and 65. It will give the apprentice a working knowledge of electromagnetic emissions and emitting devices such as antennas, radios, and other emission sources of RF energy. Allowable exposure limits and how to protect employees and the public from adverse effects of RF or Electromagnetic Energy (EME) exposure will be taught. The apprentice is to work under the direct supervision of a competent person. The apprentice must be able to show through assessment, testing and demonstration the basic types of antennas and their RF emission characteristics. In addition, the apprentice is to be trained in the use and understanding of a personal RF monitor IAW with manufacturers requirements as part of a RF mitigation plan if used. The apprentice must be able to recognize what frequency range a personal RF monitor functions in and be able to match the correct monitor(s) to the antenna/frequency types encountered at any given job location. Jobsite Hazard Assessment (JHA) – A primary goal of this program is that the apprentice understands the necessity of SOW comprehension and the subsequent jobsite hazards that SOW could expose the apprentice or other crew member to as a part of performing the SOW. Apprentice must be able to communicate the hazards outlined in a JHA and identify the means necessary to abate the hazard and/or PPE use required to protect against these hazards. Proper planning allows for quality work in an efficient manner, and it is through this planning that the apprentice will be able to ensure safety for themselves as well as the other members of the team. Testing will involve written exams requiring the apprentice to demonstrate their understanding of the jobsite hazards and appropriate steps to mitigate those hazards. Scope of Work (SOW) – A statement of work or SOW is a document that captures and defines the work activities, deliverables, and timeline a vendor must execute in performance of specified work for a client. The SOW usually includes detailed requirements, with standard regulatory and governance terms and conditions. The apprentice must learn the importance of fully understanding the SOW and be able to determine the type of tools, equipment and manpower it requires. The apprentice must also be able to understand what type and quantities of materials will be required as well as who is responsible for furnishing and delivering them to the jobsite. The apprentice must also understand their role in the successful completion of the SOW. Handling Chemicals and Disposal of Materials – Even though limited, job duties of a Fiber Optic Technician require handling of potential hazards. This section explains what topics need to be practiced and taught to the technician to handle any chemicals safely. Learn how to evaluate potential hazards and then plan your actions. Learn how one can find the hazards associated with chemicals. Are there any special hazards (electrical, laser, biosafety) present? Learn the various types of personal protective equipment that are needed and how to ensure they are appropriate for the SOW. How to prepare for an emergency – identify nearest exit/eyewash/fire extinguisher/shower. Learn the protocol in the event of a chemical spill/fire.

1. OSHA 10 (Telecom)
2. Personal Protection Equipment(PPE)
3. CPR/First Aid/BBP
4. Radio Frequency (RF) awareness
5. Jobsite Safety Analysis(JSA)
6. Scope of Work (SOW)
7. Handling chemicals
8. Disposal of materials

Cable Preparation – The apprentices receive hands-on training on preparing the cable for ideal installation. Preparation includes - attaching pulling eye and rope to a cable, pulling cable, and preparing cable for splicing or termination. Splicing Operation - Splicing is a very crucial skill for Fiber Optic Technician. It needs to be practiced very diligently. The apprentice will be provided hands-on training on mechanical splicing process. Fusion splicing techniques will be taught as well. Terminating the fiber cable is also included in the training. Connector Handling - Diverse types of connectors are introduced. The apprentice should be able to identify various types of connectors and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure quality install. Ideal termination requires good practice of cable preparations. Installation and inspection of connectors also requires the utilization of the proper tools. Shelter/Building Protocol – Access and entry protocols to the shelter/building can be unique to each particular site and/or owner. These procedures relate to safe operations to be followed while performance of the site specific SOW. The FOT will be able to identify exposure hazards for power, RF/EME and batteries and locating eye wash and ensuring a first aid station is available when required. Client specific log in procedures will be reviewed and implemented. Fiber Testing - Testing methodologies will be taught in this portion of the training. Microscope inspection, visual tracing and fault location techniques are introduced. Splicing tools needs to be tested and inspected often; hands-on training will incorporate these techniques and combine them with the class-room based RTI. Equipment cleaning and care is also taught. Insertion Loss and OTDR testing will also be taught through hands-on exercises. Operate Hand and Power Tools & Material Handling: Drills/Saws – Training in the proper use, storage, required PPE and safeties. Basic tools of the trade are wrenches, screw drivers, knives, drills, band-saws, torches, splicers, connector tools, chop saws, block and tackle, ropes, power cords and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFIC) interfaces, capstan hoists, etc. Material Handling – All material must be handled appropriately. Size, weight and structure of materials will require different methods and equipment as appropriate, to handle safely. The apprentice will also be trained in the proper storage of materials. Due to the remote nature of the work sites it is important that the apprentice be instructed in the requirements that some materials are weather sensitive, some are prone to theft and some could be blown away and create damage or loss. Transporting materials is a daily consideration in telecommunications so the apprentice must also learn proper loading and tie down of various types of materials. It is important for the apprentice to understand and come to competency through on the job experience. Few examples that must be trained and tested: o Loads on vehicles o Tagging a load o Planning for securement of a load on a structure o Proper lifting to avoid injury. Use mechanical advantage, buddy system, or rigging. Ropes/Knots – The apprentice is to be trained in the proper utilization and care of ropes. They must be able to recognize the difference between the types of ropes and their appropriate use. The apprentice must also be taught how to properly inspect, handle, care for and store the ropes. Apprentice must be able to determine the difference between safety ropes or rigging ropes. It is critical that the use of the blocks and load ratings be trained and competency developed. The apprentice shall have training on the required knots for the industry. Written and competency testing is required. Must be able to tie the following basic knots: Bowline, Inline, Normal, Clove Hitch Ladders – The apprentice will be educated in the proper use, storage and maintenance of ladders, including non-conductive standard, set and extension ladders. In addition, there will be emphasis placed on the OSHA subpart X to ensure that the apprentice understands proper ladder selection and utilization. Operate Motor Vehicles and Equipment Skills: Apprentices that are assigned to projects and/or job sites that require operation of a motor vehicle will be educated in the following: o Knowledge of Applicable DOT Regulations - Training will cover DOT requirements and exemptions that apply to our industry. All driving apprentices will be trained in the use of the vehicles that will be used and other equipment that may be required for the operation of the vehicle. Testing includes a written exam and a driver test under the supervision of an on-the-job mentor. o Load Securement and Safety - The apprentice will learn how and demonstrate the properly placing and securing of loads on vehicle and while in transport.

1. Attaching pulling eye and rope to a cable
2. Pulling cable
3. Preparing cable for splicing or termination
4. Mechanical splicing
5. Fusion splicing
6. Termination
7. Identifying connectors
8. Preparing cables for termination
9. Installing connectors
10. Inspecting connectors
11. Shelter/Building Assessment
12. Exposure hazards for: Power, RF/EME, Eye Wash, Batteries, Client log in procedures
13. Microscope inspection
14. Visual tracing and fault location
15. Power
16. Care of equipment Cleaning and assessment of fiber
17. Measurements
18. Insertion loss testing
19. OTDR testing
20. Drills/saws
21. Torches
22. Splicer(s)
23. Connector tools
24. Tools applicable to the SOW
25. Knowledge of proper DOT regulations
26. Load securement
27. Trenching equipment
28. Equipment applicable to the SOW
29. Ladders

Recommended as the first course delivered. Commonly used terms and definition related to Fiber Optic cable are explained. Various measurements are performed using Metric System. Introduction to Metric System will be provided. Overview of Fiber Optic Communications Systems is covered at this stage. Basic block diagrams of Fiber Optic Communication system are introduced. Generic understanding on how communications systems use light to transfer information is covered in through this topic.

In this section of RTI, various components and their functions in a typical datalink are explained. Various sources of light, such as LED, Laster (FP, DFB, VCSEL) are introduced. Various detectors (photodiode, APD; Si, Ge, InGaAs) are explained at the application level. Performance parameters such as transmission data rate of a datalink are introduced. Various types of optical fiber such as Step index MM, graded index MM, SM, specialty fibers are explained. Basic specifications that affect transmission (E.g. Attenuation, dispersion) are explained in detail. Choosing the appropriate fiber for the system is important; various selection criteria and field-practices are explained.

Different types of Fiber Optic cables need to be understood thoroughly for the technician before working (splicing etc.) on them. Different types of cables are used for different applications. Some examples include Tight buffer (simplex, zip cord, distribution, breakout), Loose tube (loose tube, ribbon), Specialty (OPGW, underwater). Choosing the proper cable for different application (Water blocking, pulling strength, armoring, etc.) is important. Various specifications for different applications are explained in this portion of the course.

Theory of cable termination and splicing is important for the apprentices before they work on hands-on projects. Various applications and appropriate uses of cable termination are explained in this section. Termination and Splicing skill is very crucial for Fiber Optic Technician and it can be mastered through many practice sessions. However, the importance of Splicing, Performance Measures, and Quality Checks of Splicing need to be studied with the help of example diagrams and picture. This portion of the RTI explains relevant performance measures such as Loss, Reflectance, and Strength. Various splicing processes such as Mechanical, Fusion and Mass (Ribbon) Fusion and the differences amongst them are explained. Different hardware components used in the Termination process are introduced. Their engineering specifications are studied through example datasheets. Various connector types (ST, SC, LC, MTP, legacy connectors, etc.) are introduced through diagrams and engineering datasheets. Their specifications are studied to understand relevant performance measures. Steps involved in the termination processes are explained through relevant pictures. Various types of adhesive used during the termination process (epoxy, anaerobic, Hot Melt) are introduced. The section ends by explaining the importance Prepolished splice and Prefab systems.

Theories involved in the testing of various stages of Fiber Termination, Splicing and Installation need to be studied. Importance of microscope inspection and visual tracing is explained. Identifying fault location is crucial in the troubleshooting process. Various Loss and Link budgets are explained with the help of simple examples.  Theories and importance of Optical Power Testing and Insertion Loss Testing are explained. The section ends with the introduction of OTDR testing and Long haul SM testing for CD (Chromatic Dispersion) and PMD (Polarization Mode Dispersion).

The apprentice needs to understand various requirements of an ideal and efficient communication systems. They need to be capable of evaluating communications system requirements even though their job would be limited to a small portion of Fiber Cable installation project. This section introduces ideal design and installation criteria. Understanding of Loss and Power Budget is explained in this section. Through various practical examples, the technician will understand the importance of designing the proper cable plant layout and choosing the right components. Examples of ideal documentation are studied. Installation planning process is explained at the system level.

During this portion the apprentice is introduced to some of the critical standards for the industry. The Fiber Optic Association (FOA) outlines some very important standards, which have been widely accepted by the telecom industry. The apprentice will initially start getting familiar with “Guidelines for Standards” document, and watch videos (available at the FOA web site) providing an overview of current FOA Standards. FOA Standards based on “Testing”, are to be covered at length: Testing Loss of Installed Fiber Optic Cable, Measuring Optical power, OTDR Testing for Fiber Plant, and Mode Conditioning for Testing Multimode Fiber. These standards and relevant documents are reviewed with the apprentice so that they have an understanding of how to use them as reference point during on-the-job training.

This is a version of the OSHA 10-hour course that is provided by a trainer that has been authorized to perform instruction from OSHA. This 10-hour course is specifically targeted to the Telecommunications Industry and has emphasis placed upon fall hazards.

An introduction to the various structures that work will be performed on. Based upon the SOW and the type of structure it is being applied to the hazards may change and this requires the ability to understand that there is a hazard and it must be communicated to the rest of the team.

PPE is not enough. It is important for there to be an understanding of the hazard associated with RF through the proper assessment of the hazard. This also involves the ability to work as part of a team to communicate the hazard and means of abatement or use of PPE for protection.

These courses follow the agendas established by Red Cross/American Heart Association.

Travel from one site to another is one of the greatest risks that face workers in this industry. This course will take the apprentice through the DOT rules and regulations for the industry. Specific emphasis is placed upon proper rest, vehicle inspection, trailer inspection and backing, merging in and out of traffic, and what to do in the event of an emergency.