MASON, MI — Efficiency Production, in conjuncture with the Michigan Rural Water Association (MRWA), recently hosted Municipal Underground Expo (formerly Municipal Safety Day) for Michigan communities’ Departments of Public Works (DPW) and Water Department personnel. Offering training sessions at the event were Efficiency Production, AIS Equipment Company, and Jack Doheny Companies.

The 13th annual event attracted 79 participants from 26 Michigan municipal communities and organizations. Participants were awarded 0.4 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Continuing Education Credits (CEC), which were administrated by the MRWA.

“Municipal Underground Expo continues to be an exclusive format of cross-training on the safe use of municipal-specific equipment and the important principals of excavation safety that is specifically relevant to Municipal DPW personnel,” said James McRay, Efficiency Production’s Training Program Coordinator. “From safely operating a rubber tire backhoe to the proper installation of hydraulic vertical shores, participants at Municipal Underground Expo train with equipment that is specifically relevant for them.”

The morning Classroom Training Session included instruction in Trench Safety Principals presented by McRay, and Gas Monitor & Air Quality training presented by Ed Fitzgerald, with Doheny Companies.

The afternoon Field Training Session featured rotating 30-minute training, on:

• Hydraulic Shores Uses & Safety, presented by Efficiency Production
• Backhoe Operator Safety, presented by AIS Equipment
• Trench Shoring Installation with vacuum excavation, presented by Jack Doheny Companies
• Confined Space Training, presented by Jack Doheny Companies

For the fourth year, several local equipment and supply vendors set up stations to display their municipal-specific products, including; Municipal Supply Co., and Underground Solutions, Inc. who offered a PVC pipe fusing demonstration.

Also highlighting Municipal Safety Day was a barbecue lunch, catered by Smokey Bones restaurant.

The Michigan Rural Water Association’s mission is to provide resources, education, and networking to all members, future members, and their customers in order to enhance quality of services.

Efficiency Production is an Arcosa Shoring Products company. Efficiency provides the widest selection of standard and custom trench shielding and shoring systems. Efficiency’s products are designed specifically for safe and cost effective installation of utility systems and infrastructure improvements. All products are P.E. certified to meet OSHA and MIOSHA standards.