Western TTAP: Guardians of the Worksite: A Safety Training Series

March 23, 2026 – Basic Work Zone Traffic Control and Sign Maintenance Mangement

Course Summary:

The purpose of this workshop is to show participants ways to reduce fatalities and injuries caused by road departures and collisions with fixed objects, as well as collision at rural intersections. Low cost solutions for keeping the driver on the road will be taught with a focus on selection and implementation. The forgiving roadside concept will be covered for when a vehicle departs the roadway. Clear zones and what to do with hazards in them will be discussed. The material will be presented with a combination of interactive lecture, group discussion and activities.

This workshop also explores the rationale for using various kinds of signs and sign supports and shares best practices for sign management systems.

This training follows the guidelines and structure of FHWA Maintenance of Signs and Sign Supports: A Guide for Local Highway and Street Maintenance Personnel.

The goal of this guide is to help agencies maintain their signs to meet the needs of the road user and promote a safe and efficient driving environment.

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Understand why crash reduction is important.
• Identify safety issues.
• List ways to keep the driver on the road with low cost solutions.
• Define a clear zone and describe what to do with hazards in it.
• Describe the role, features, and urgency of repair for four sign types
• Explain state and local requirements for choosing sign materials including face sheeting, backing, and supports
• Apply MUTCD guidance as well as Nevada Standard Plans and Specifications to selected scenarios
• Describe the five elements of a sign management system

Prerequisites:

None

Target Audience:

Western TTAP’s primary service audience consists of federally recognized Tribes and their employees within the western United States. While we welcome participation from all interested individuals and organizations, Tribal governments and Tribal employees receive priority enrollment for all trainings. This course is for Site supervisors and foremen, Safety coordinators. Project managers, Safety officers, and Construction workers with safety responsibilities.

Instructor:

Todd Morrison, P.E. is a Technology Transfer Engineer with the University of Kentucky and a road safety advocate. In addition, for the past sixteen years he has worked for numerous Local Technical Assistance Programs. He has taught over 1000 workshops and trained over 30000 individuals. He retired from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet after serving in the Divisions of Construction, Maintenance and Traffic.

Todd served for two years as Kentucky’s Safety Circuit Rider helping local agencies identify low-cost improvements to reduce crashes. He also served for two years as a Road Safety Subject Matter Expert for the Tribal Technical Assistance Program.

Todd is an ATSSA certified Traffic Control Supervisor, Flagging Instructor, and Traffic Control Design Specialist. He is also a Certified Public Manager and NHI certified instructor.

March 24, 2026 – Low-Cost Safety Improvements

Course Summary:

This course provides examples of low-cost maintenance and safety improvements on roads. The importance of road safety, and how it can be integrated into tribal transportation construction, operations, and maintenance, will be stressed. Attendees will be given numerous actionable items that will make their road network safer. The class will be a fun combination of lecture, discussion, and group activities.

Topics covered include:

• Why is crash reduction important?
• Preventing Roadway Departure: Keeping Vehicles in their Lane (Signage, Striping, High Friction Surface)
• Reading the Road: Identifying Safety Issues
• Preventing Roadway Departure: Keeping Vehicles in their Lane (Rumble Strips, Crown/Drainage, Bridges, Vegetation Management, Routine Maintenance)
• Creating a Forgiving Roadside: How much is the Clear Zone?
• Creating a Forgiving Roadside: What to do with hazards in the Clear Zone

Prerequisites:

None

Target Audience:

Western TTAP’s primary service audience consists of federally recognized Tribes and their employees within the western United States. While we welcome participation from all interested individuals and organizations, Tribal governments and Tribal employees receive priority enrollment for all trainings. This course is for Site supervisors and foremen, Safety coordinators. Project managers, Safety officers, and Construction workers with safety responsibilities.

Instructor:

Todd Morrison, P.E. is a Technology Transfer Engineer with the University of Kentucky and a road safety advocate. In addition, for the past sixteen years he has worked for numerous Local Technical Assistance Programs. He has taught over 1000 workshops and trained over 30000 individuals. He retired from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet after serving in the Divisions of Construction, Maintenance and Traffic.

Todd served for two years as Kentucky’s Safety Circuit Rider helping local agencies identify low-cost improvements to reduce crashes. He also served for two years as a Road Safety Subject Matter Expert for the Tribal Technical Assistance Program.

Todd is an ATSSA certified Traffic Control Supervisor, Flagging Instructor, and Traffic Control Design Specialist. He is also a Certified Public Manager and NHI certified instructor.

March 25, 2026 – Introduction to OSHA, Fall Protection, Struck by, Caught Between, Confined Space, PPE and Nightwork

Course Summary:

Prerequisites:

None

Target Audience:

Western TTAP’s primary service audience consists of federally recognized Tribes and their employees within the western United States. While we welcome participation from all interested individuals and organizations, Tribal governments and Tribal employees receive priority enrollment for all trainings. This course is for Site supervisors and foremen, Safety coordinators. Project managers, Safety officers, and Construction workers with safety responsibilities.

Instructor:

Robert Fernandez has over a decade of experience as a safety and security professional, and is a respected expert in the field. As a Registered Safety & Security Professional, he has dedicated his career to promoting workplace safety and training others through his work as an English and Spanish instructor. Holding certificates from prestigious institutions like the University of California San Diego, UCLA, and Cal Poly Pomona, Robert has honed his skills in OSHA compliance, hazardous materials handling, and disaster response. As the past president of the California Society of Safety & Security Professionals, he has been a driving force in advancing safety standards across the state and beyond, teaching classes from California to Hawaii and Guam.

March 26, 2026 (AM Session)– Trench and Excavation, Cranes, Electrical Safety, Health Hazards in Construction, Tools

Course Summary:

• This course focuses on preventing the main hazards in trenching and excavations like cave-ins, falls, roll-overs, confined spaces, traffic, underground utilities, soil identification, and other related hazards. ARTBA created this course with the support of the OSHA Harwood grant.
• This course also describes the most commonly used cranes and derricks in transportation construction, OSHA regulations and safety responsibilities for site owners, crane owners, and crane operators.
• This course presents the most common health hazards transportation construction workers encounter and how to mitigate the long-term and short-term risks of exposure.

Prerequisites:

None

Target Audience:

Western TTAP’s primary service audience consists of federally recognized Tribes and their employees within the western United States. While we welcome participation from all interested individuals and organizations, Tribal governments and Tribal employees receive priority enrollment for all trainings. This course is for Site supervisors and foremen, Safety coordinators. Project managers, Safety officers, and Construction workers with safety responsibilities.

Instructor:

Robert Fernandez has over a decade of experience as a safety and security professional, and is a respected expert in the field. As a Registered Safety & Security Professional, he has dedicated his career to promoting workplace safety and training others through his work as an English and Spanish instructor. Holding certificates from prestigious institutions like the University of California San Diego, UCLA, and Cal Poly Pomona, Robert has honed his skills in OSHA compliance, hazardous materials handling, and disaster response. As the past president of the California Society of Safety & Security Professionals, he has been a driving force in advancing safety standards across the state and beyond, teaching classes from California to Hawaii and Guam.

March 26, 2026 (PM Session)– ATSSA Flagger Certification

This workshop will cover why proper flagger operations are important, the skillset of a good flagger, standard flagger control references, and best practices for various situations.

This interactive workshop is taught through a combination of lecture, video, and group activities.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe why practicing safe, standards-based flagging operations is important.
• List the component parts and associate elements of standard flagging setups.
• Recognize key elements of proper flagging signals and procedures.
• Recall factors used for determining proper flagger station positioning.
• Describe basic flagging techniques using one or more flaggers under various scenarios.
• List effective flagger communication techniques for use between flaggers, with motorists, and work other workers.
• Describe nighttime considerations, setup and removal, and use of flagging technology.

Audience:

Western TTAP’s primary service audience consists of federally recognized Tribes and their employees within the western United States. While we welcome participation from all interested individuals and organizations, Tribal governments and Tribal employees receive priority enrollment for all trainings. This course is intended for anyone interested in becoming a certified road flagger. ATSSA is a recognized flagger certification in the state of Nevada and valid for all NDOT projects.

NOTE: ATSSA Certification cards are good for 4-years & participants MUST be 18 years of age to participate. Upon enrollment, a copy of the participant’s valid driver’s license or state ID will be required.

Instructor:

Carrie Brown, MSML has 15 years of experience in public health and human services. She holds a BA in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governor’s University. Carrie has served communities as a Director of Human Services, Tribal Health and Human Services Director, Safety Circuit Rider, and currently, as the Director of the Nevada LTAP under Applied Pavement Technology. Her expertise is in training delivery with a focus on cultural sensitivity. Her mission is to empower Nevada agencies to support and strengthen their communities through transportation countermeasures and safety initiatives.