Course Catalog

 COURSE CATALOG

 To see the course catalog with the description of the course please select the MO-LTAP Scholars level you wish to view.

MO-LTAP SCHOLARS PROGRAM LEVEL I COURSES

CORE COURSES

Basic Communication Skills
covers verbal and nonverbal communication.  It is an interactive course where attendees exhibit their ability to communicate through instructor led exercises.  Attendees will learn the best methods of communicating with those around them, which include their superiors, fellow workers, the people they are supervising, media and most importantly the general public.

Work Zone Safety & Flagger Training
covers the when, where, and how of work zones, as set forth in the MUTCD.  It covers the proper hand signals, approved apparel to be worn and equipment to be used as well as the best locations for flaggers to be stationed.  Attendees will learn how to direct and move traffic through different construction and maintenance sites and set-up proper traffic control in various situations that may be encountered during the construction and maintenance of urban and rural streets and highways.

Worker Safety
covers safety procedures for the workplace.  It includes an overview of the following topics:  MSDS, blood borne pathogens, confined space entry, trenching and shoring, lockout/tag out, and various types of personal protective wear.  Attendees will also learn proper lifting techniques and how to avoid slips, trips and falls.

ELECTIVE COURSES

Basic Construction Math
covers the fundamentals of arithmetic and demonstrates and strengthens computational skills with fractions, decimals, areas, volumes and percentages.  This course will assist public works personnel with skills needed in a variety of day-to-day activities, such as calculating the volume of concrete or the linear feet of pipe.  All discussions will be based on actual field-related examples, such as figuring simple measurements needed to order materials and supplies.  Attendees will have hands-on instruction in completing simple calculations to improve or develop new math skills.

Bridge Management & Maintenance
discusses the advantages of having a good bridge maintenance program.  It covers many different types of maintenance solutions.  Attendees will learn what to look for when reviewing bridges and what information they need to develop a maintenance system.

Chainsaw Safety
provides participants with the basic knowledge needed to work around chainsaws and wood chipper/shredder equipment.  The course is designed for beginners as well as seasoned operators and is packed with video clips demonstrating a variety of topics from proper chainsaw starting techniques to proper methods of felling a tree.  It also includes tips for trimming storm damaged trees.  Attendees will learn how to properly use personal protective equipment and apparel, create a maintenance schedule for chainsaw equipment and prepare for an emergency situation.

Chip Seal Best Practices
presents ways to assist in the development and implementation of pavement preservation programs by identifying the benefits of using chip seal as part of a preventive maintenance program and the importance of maintenance of existing roads before it is selected.  The course also covers the calibration of distributors and chip spreaders and how to put together a pavement team.  The asphalt 101 portion covers mix design.

Culvert Installation and Maintenance
examines the proper installation of new culverts and the importance of a good management system for all drainage structures within a local agency and highlights some of the best practices in doing these things.  Attendees will discover that there is more to culvert installation than digging a trench, dropping in a tube, and covering it.  They will learn what size pipe to use, the best method of installation and the importance of checking the culverts after they’ve been installed.

Defensive Driving
covers situations that occur on the road every day and encourages everyone to watch out for the other vehicle.  There will be discussions of situations encountered by the average driver that can lead to deadly consequences if the wrong choices are made.  Attendees will learn to anticipate other drivers’ actions, what to watch for and how to react.  They will then be made aware of instinctive reactions that can save lives and avoid unnecessary property damage.

Equipment Operation & Safety
provides participants with the knowledge and understanding of common safety factors and practices relating to the operation of power tools and equipment used in common road maintenance work.  In addition, this course will provide the information needed to establish an effective work safety program.  Attendees will learn about safely performing maintenance operations using power tools and equipment.

Gravel Road Maintenance
covers the proper maintenance of gravel roads.  It stresses the importance of using correct aggregates, proper grading methods and the use of various dust control methods and stabilization processes.  Attendees will learn how proper gravel road maintenance affects the safety of the traveling public.

Motor Grader Best Practices
instructs those attending on good grading practices.  Proper maintenance of the machine will be stressed along with operator safety and the safety of the traveling public.  Attendees learn various ways to set a grader to perform different functions such as the best methods of grading roads and cutting ditches.  It is recommended that attendees have a general knowledge of the operation of a grader before attending the class.

Snow and Ice Control
covers plowing techniques, the types of equipment available, and what and when various chemicals should be used.  It also stresses the need for advanced planning and keeping the public informed to ensure, above all else, the safety of the worker and the traveling public.  There will be discussions on personnel assignments, equipment inventory, weather conditions, routes, sand and salt operations, government liability and good public relations.  Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss good and bad experiences with fellow public works employees and be guided through some of the techniques and materials used by others.

Tractor Mower Safety
covers the safety operations of tractor mowers for sickle, flail, rotary and boom brush mowers.  It stresses the importance of maintaining equipment and having proper shields installed.  Attendees will learn what to wear when operating mowers, the proper way to mount and dismount, and proper techniques for mowing on various terrains.  The course is recommended for anyone operating a mower or supervisors who have employees under their direction who operate mowers.

MO-LTAP SCHOLARS PROGRAM LEVEL II/iii (super scholar) COURSES

ADA with Construction Examples
provides participants with a basic understanding of ADA information needed to construct sidewalks and curb ramps on public rights-of-way that are compliant.  The class briefly discusses laws relating to accessibility and published guidance; however, the MoDOT ADA checklist is the basis for the updated class.  The focus is more on constructability and compliance issues and less on the legal background.  The MoDOT ADA Checklist has been recommended as a FHWA Best Practice for ADA projects and is now used on LPA projects as well as on MoDOT projects.  Attendees will view photos of real-life examples of good and bad ADA installations.  They will be encouraged to ask questions in open discussions on topics such as mobility aids and their operational space requirements.  Accessible route components such as sidewalks, curb ramps, detectable warnings, handrails, crosswalks and pedestrian controls at signalized intersections will also be covered.

Asphalt 101
This course explores the causes of pavement failures, which include poor quality materials, improper design, deficient construction methods, and inadequate maintenance procedures – the fatal four for pavement.  The course also addresses why failures in pavement occur and offers strategies as well as techniques for addressing issues in pavement.  Strategies include selecting the proper asphalt binder, using quality aggregate, and applying proper pothole and patching techniques.  Other pavement strategies include crack sealing/filling, fog sealing, and contracted treatments.  All of these strategies can extend a pavement’s service life and save your agency money.

Backhoe Safety
Loader Backhoes are very common in the construction industry.  They are often used for a variety of tasks within the county/city/state departments.  This course is designed for equipment operators, highway superintendents, foremen, crew leaders, and anyone who is responsible for the construction and maintenance of local roads.  By the time you complete this training in conjunction with both the written and practical exams, you should be ready to operate a loader backhoe.  You will be familiar with the equipment used by your company, have an increased knowledge of how to set-up and safely operate them, and be able to recognize and avoid the most common hazards associated with their use.

Bridge Incident Inspection
explores the process of doing a cursory inspection on bridges to insure that they are safe for traffic if they are hit by a natural disaster or struck by a vehicle.  It provides valuable information on how to determine if the structure is still safe for the public to use or if further investigation should be done by someone with more experience in bridge design and maintenance.  Attendees will learn what to look for in evaluating bridges on the local system until a bridge inspector is available.

Bucket Truck Operation & Safety
applies techniques and knowledge of safe bucket truck operations to protect the workers and equipment.  Topics include pre-use inspections, personal safety, awareness, fall protection, worksite setup and operation, and field exercises.  Attendees will learn about typical bucket truck uses, what is included in an inspection checklist, and how to complete safety inspections.

Coaching Your Workplace Team (using the DISC assessment tool)
addresses managing different personalities and communicating effectively with upper and lower management.  Attendees will learn why it is so important to communicate with their workers.  They will also learn different techniques to let their workers know they care about them and how to develop a relationship that ensures top performances from everyone.

Communicating Effectively in the Workplace 
builds on what is learned in Basic Communication Skills.  It focuses on introducing personal assessments and how they can be an important tool in improving individual communication skills to communicate with others.  It also explores how communication skills effect an organization and how to maximize the effectiveness of any organization by improving the flow of information to avoid typical communication barriers.  Attendees will better understand their own communication style as well as those around them.

Comprehensive Winter Planning
gives administrators and supervisors the knowledge needed to develop a plan for dealing with winter events.  It covers the benefits of outlining a work plan to include such things as when to plow, apply chemicals, clean intersections and mailbox turnouts, and clean up equipment.  Attendees will learn how to work with their own staff and outside agencies, as well as the public, in a formulated plan.  They will also learn the importance of having a good employee work plan so their workers know what to expect when a storm hits.

Confined Space Entry
covers how to protect those entering or working around a confined space.  OSHA defines many workplaces as containing spaces that are considered “confined” because their configurations hinder the activities of employees who must enter, work in, and exit them.  A confined space has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and it is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.  Confined spaces include, but are not limited to underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, manholes, pits, silos, process vessels, and pipelines.  Attendees will learn the physical, chemical, and biological principles related to working safely within confined spaces.  Attendees will learn to work in a confined space environment to maximize safety for themselves and those around them.

Disaster Preparedness (Preparing for Floods, Tornados, & Other Natural Disasters)
Missourians have seen their fair share of tornados, floods and other natural disasters.  When the disaster comes to your city or county, do you know what to do first?  Second?  Does your community have a plan for recovery after the disaster?  Every disaster brings with it a potential of a secondary disaster as First Responder, Early Responders and recovery workers become injured from hazards unique to disasters.  Learn how to safely assess structural damage, maintain safe food and water supplies, and maintain proper sanitation for the residents and the recovery workers.  Learn the dangers of mold and how to safely remove and remediate after water infiltration.  Understand the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and where your leadership fits into a Unified Command System.  Learn the importance of knowing your community resources before the disaster hits.

Disaster Response (Responding to Floods, Tornados, & Other Natural Disasters)  
covers the relationship between County, State, and Federal initiatives during and following a disaster.  It also discusses the roles of the County Presiding Commissioner and the County Emergency Management Director in a disaster situation and who to contact and how to request additional resources.  Attendees will gain a basic understanding of the emergency management process, a general knowledge of what materials/activities are eligible for reimbursement, and what information/documentation to keep during and following an event.

Drug & Alcohol Awareness
This course is designed for all levels of employees.  In this course you will learn how the abuse of drugs and alcohol influences everyone in the workplace – not just the addicted and casual user and what is the most abused drug in the workplace and how it can be combatted.  You will be trained on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug/alcohol abuse and addiction and understand the progression of the disease.  Attendees will be informed how meth abuse in Missouri affects the public and what the techniques are for coping with meth addicts, and meth labs and/or wastes as it has become more and more prevalent along roadsides and in public parks.  You will learn the warning signs of opioid abuse and how it has become an epidemic in Missouri, and understand how to protect yourself (yes you, there are new users and abusers each day) from becoming the newest opioid addict.

Fall Protection & Personal Protective Equipment
shows a variety of methods to safeguard against falling at a height, including how to properly use fall protection equipment, and how safety managers can ensure a safe workplace for their workers.  It is an important part of overall worker’s safety training.  Attendees will learn that the first step in reducing or eliminating fall hazards is identifying fall hazards and deciding how best to protect themselves and others.  It also covers personal protective equipment (PPE), which is equipment worn to minimize exposure to a variety of hazards. Attendees will gain an understanding of the types of PPE, which includes gloves, foot and eye protection, protective hearing devices (earplugs, muffs) hard hats, respirators and full body suits.  They will also learn the basics of conducting a hazard assessment of the workplace and selecting appropriate PPE for a variety of circumstances.

Forklift Operation & Safety
ensures each potential operator is trained in the safe procedures of operating a forklift.  The course discusses the types of industrial powered forklifts and covers pre-trip check lists, general operating procedures, as well as maintenance, refueling and charging of forklifts.  Attendees will also learn about loading and unloading with a forklift, stability and load handling tips, and transporting and maneuvering loads.

Introduction to Materials:  Concrete, Asphalt & General Materials
discusses the importance of using the proper materials in road construction and maintenance and how best to obtain those materials.  It covers some of the more popular tests used to guarantee the material being purchased meets the requirements set for them.  Attendees will discuss acceptance methods, how to get testing done, and the importance of having a quality plan and specifying what is needed.

Introduction to Traffic Practices
provides an overview of the new guidebook for Missouri entitled “Traffic Practices: A Guidebook for City and County Agencies,” which serves as a resource for individuals who have a responsibility for transportation engineering decisions and services within their local jurisdiction.  It emphasizes transportation engineering concepts and principles, which guide the day-to-day operations and longer term needs of local agencies.  The intended audience is those with responsibility for planning, design, construction and installation, operation and maintenance of transportation systems and will be particularly valuable for those smaller jurisdictions that may not have a professional transportation engineer on staff as well as engineers and non-engineers with signing and marking responsibilities.

Legal Hotspots of Supervision
covers the legal responsibilities of supervising others.  Attendees will become aware of the pitfalls of not giving adequate direction.  Everything a supervisor does has a consequence, whether it’s telling someone to dig a ditch or grade a road.  Supervisors must be aware of those consequences before they give out the daily work schedule.  The class focuses on being a supervisor as a pleasant experience and not a courtroom appearance.

Lockout/Tagout
presents general requirements for controlling hazardous energy during service or maintenance of machines or equipment.  The course covers the components of the Energy Control Program (ECP).  Attendees will learn about group lockout/tagout, shift changes, and the release from lockout/tagout and the importance of training and communication, periodic inspections, and the application of energy control devices.

LPA Basics
meets the recently implemented requirements for a full-time sponsor employee to serve the role as the Person in Responsible Charge in order to receive federal-aid funding for Locally Administered Projects (LPAs).  Local public agencies and consultants have to identify a Person in Responsible Charge prior to starting any LPA Project.  The Person in Responsible Charge must be qualified through the LPA Basic Training course.  The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and MoDOT offers this training for agencies that are going to apply for federal-aid funding for locally administered projects.  It covers the basics of consultant selection procedures, record keeping, contract administration and billing.  All attendees will be eligible for certification certificates upon satisfactory completion of the class and an exam.

Managing Your Human Resources
covers proper hiring procedures, discusses sexual harassment in the work place, and outlines proper procedures for reprimanding an employee as well as the importance of proper documentation leading up to employee dismissal.  It also covers the importance of using employees in jobs best suited for them.  Attendees will learn to identify personal skills of individuals, how to recognize certain personality traits, the importance of assigning the right people and the correct number of people to various job assignments, and how these can be accomplished through the use of personnel evaluations and performance reviews.

Pavement Evaluation & Rating 
presents ways to assist in the development and implementation of pavement preservation programs by identifying the benefits of using chip seal as part of a preventive maintenance program as well as the basics of asphalt.  It also covers the calibration of distributors, calibration of chip spreaders, mix design, the maintenance of existing roads, and how to put together a pavement team.  Some of the different equipment available for maintaining paved roads will also be highlighted.  Attendees will explore methods of extending the life of their pavements to meet the ever increasing demand for better roads given decreasing revenues.  They will also be advised on the merits of developing a pavement management system to track maintenance efforts and aid in decisions on when to rebuild a road.

Reading Construction Documents
focuses on both reading and understanding construction plans and specifications as well as important fundamentals of construction.  The discussion and handouts will cover the following topics:  stationing, scale, curves, staking, tools and contacts.  The class explains how to read and understand roadway plans, as well as some utility plans and structural plans for bridges and box culverts.  It also covers job special provisions and how to read/understand specifications.  Attendees will receive useful handouts to use in class and keep as references.

Sign Retroreflectivity Guidelines & Inspection Workshop (6-hour class)
is conducted in two parts.  The first four-hour session covers all of the changes under the new final MUTCD ruling and how they impact local agencies.  It explains all eight (8) of the requirements and what has to be done in order to comply.  The importance of retroreflectivity will be fully explained along with the maintenance and inspection criteria and a demonstration of how to conduct each of the inspection methods.  This workshop will allow attendees to pick the best method that works for their agency or combine methods, so they can implement this new rule and comply with the MUTCD.  The second two-hour session is a “hands-on” workshop in inspecting signs.  Upon completion of the second session, attendees will receive a certificate of completion for inspecting signs to meet retroreflectivity standards.  It is important to note that FHWA requires training to be qualified to inspect signs for meeting retroreflectivity standards.

Trenching & Shoring 
gives an overview of the regulation for trenching and shoring and covers the general requirements, which include special health and safety considerations, the importance of identifying soil types and utilities before digging, having a decision chart, and doing daily inspections. Attendees will recognize that excavating is one of the most hazardous construction operations according to OSHA. They will also learn how to do a visual site evaluation and what protective systems are available.

Violence in the Workplace
Learn about the dangers of violence in the workplace.  What are the rights and responsibilities of the employer and the employee in regard to dealing with workplace violence?  Discover the four types of workplace violence and how to reduce the risk of each.  Learn to identify and know the difference between harassment, bullying and retaliation and how to reduce their occurrence.  Understand how the role of an active bystander can change risks and outcomes.  Find out how to respond to the unthinkable – an active shooter situation.  Determine practical steps on how to develop a violence protection plan in the workplace.

Work Zone Safety for Law Enforcement
explains work zone operations and outlines the roles and responsibilities of workers and law enforcement personnel.  It covers guidelines and concepts developed from the MUTCD and meetings of the work zone law enforcement training steering group.  These guidelines are intended to help law enforcement and transportation agencies provide more efficient traffic control, prevent crashes and save lives.  Attendees will learn to recognize the roles of law enforcement officers and others in work zones, know the responsibilities and expectations of law enforcement officers in work zones, understand the communication channels and importance of all involved, and finally understand the basic terminology of work zones.

OTHER COURSES
Attend a public works or traffic conference
Register and attend various educational sessions provided at a state or national conference that is transportation or public works related.  Credit for only one elective course can be earned by attending a conference or non-MO-LTAP class while completing the MO-LTAP Scholars Program.  The conference must be approved by the MO-LTAP Scholars partnership committee to earn credit.  Examples include the Missouri Association of County Transportation Officials (MACTO) conference, Missouri Municipal League (MML) conference, Missouri Association of Counties conference, Missouri Chapter American Public Works Association fall or spring conference, International APWA Congress, or National Association of County Engineers (NACE) annual conference.

Attend an external non-LTAP training class
Register and attend an external training class hosted by an agency other than MO-LTAP.  Credit for only one elective course can be earned by attending an external non MO-LTAP training class or conference while completing the MO-LTAP Scholars Program.  The course must be approved by the MO-LTAP Scholars partnership committee to earn credit.