Training
Introduction
University Staff are essential to the day-to-day operations of the University and, as a result, play a key role in protecting stormwater quality. Training these employees is one of the best ways to keep pollutants from entering the stormwater system. The University’s MS4 Permit requires the stormwater program to include a training component for staff with the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from operations. This training must address activities such as open space maintenance, fleet and building maintenance, new construction and land disturbances, stormwater system maintenance, and green infrastructure maintenance. In addition to preventing and reducing runoff, staff should also be trained on the identification and reporting of illicit discharges into the MS4.
There are a multitude of operational activities that occur on a day-to-day basis at the University that have the potential to impact stormwater. More information about these activities and the University’s Operation and Maintenance Program can be found in the University Operations and Stormwater section.
Program
Staff actions are primarily governed through University policies, procedures, and plans in order to prevent a potential impact to stormwater from facility operations. To supplement these requirements, the University has created training for the purpose of educating and reminding staff of their responsibilities as they relate to stormwater pollution prevention. There are three types of storm water training available:
|
Training Type |
Description |
Training Frequency |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic Stormwater |
Multiple courses developed and available online that provide an introduction to the Stormwater Management program at the University and give employees a basic understanding of stormwater pollution so that they will know which of their daily activities may affect water quality. Information is also provided on the identification of illicit discharges. |
Upon Hire/Annually |
|
Departmental/Activity Specific |
Provided by supervisors during department staff/safety meetings, each division or department with the potential to impact stormwater assesses activities performed by employees and provides departmental specific training to cover those activities. Environmental Protection Handbook fact sheets are available for use/to assist with this training. |
Routine/As Needed |
|
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) and Groundwater Protection Plan (GWPP) |
A regulatory requirement, all oil-handling personnel must attend spill prevention briefings to ensure understanding of the applicable SPCC plan. Annual awareness training is provided by Environmental Quality Management. |
Required Annually
|
|
Managers or supervisors responsible for facilities or activities covered by the University’s GWPP are responsible for properly instructing and training personnel to satisfy its requirements. In addition, all affected employees receive awareness training provided by Environmental Quality Management. |
Upon Hire/Annually |
Available Training
Basic Stormwater Training
These courses provide an introduction to the Stormwater Management program at the University and give employees a basic understanding of stormwater pollution so that they will know which of their daily activities may affect water quality and how to report issues should they occur. This training is available through myUK Learning. The Facilities Training and Development Specialist assists in assigning this training to required employees.
Departmental/Activity Specific Stormwater Training Development Resources
The following resources are provided to assist individual departments and supervisors with training development for employees whose job duties have the potential to impact stormwater. This includes oil handling personnel and those employees conducting activities covered by the GWPP. These materials can be utilized in handouts, newsletters, posters, and/or as talking points during routine staff meetings or as instruction prior to work assignment. Contact the Water Quality Compliance Manager for assistance with developing best management practices for activities not covered below.
Fact Sheets
Liquid/Chemical Management
Materials/Waste Management
Maintenance
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Our Illicit Discharges section has been created as a tool to assist employees in the identification and reporting of discharges. A review of this section will provide:
- A complete list of exceptions (allowable non-stormwater discharges)
- An explanation of the difference between discharges vs spills
- Photographic representations of the most common campus Illicit Discharges
- An introduction to the Illicit Discharge Reporting Tool
- Access to our Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Manual
- Mapping and Tracking of the most recent Illicit Discharges reported
SPCC and GWPP Training
In addition to regular training provided by managers/supervisors, all necessary employees are required to complete annual SPCC and GWPP training. This training is available through myUK Learning. The Facilities Training and Development Specialist assists in assigning this training to required employees.
Construction Stormwater Training
The MS4 permit requires the University to develop training measures for construction-site operators or to adopt procedures for notifying construction-site operators of available education and training opportunities. Information regarding available contractor training can be found in our Construction section.