STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT II EXHIBIT D DISTRICT TWO BRIDGE TENDER QUALIFICATIONS MANUAL January 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS.. Page 3 II. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY FOR BRIDGE TENDERS.. Page 3 III. TRAINING / TESTING. Pages 4-7 IV. BRIDGE TENDER SUPERVISOR.. Pages 7-8 V. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS.. Pages 8 VI. EXCEPTIONS. Page 8 EXHIBIT D 2 D-2 BT QUALIFICATIONS
I. PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS A. QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT AS A BRIDGE TENDER 1. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements are a condition of employment. Applicants may be interviewed and hired with the understanding that they meet the physical requirements. After employment, if it is determined by testing at a medical facility that they do not meet the physical requirements, the employee will be discharged. a) Corrected vision of 20/40 or better b) Be able to distinguish red, amber and green colors c) Must be able to hear frequencies from 500 to 6,000 Hertz + 15 DB and the overall hearing sensitivity must be able to resolve no less than 50 DB in normal situations. A voice communication test will be used for screening. A hearing test shall be required when the screening is failed. d) Must be able to climb bridge stairs and ladders. e) Drug free (in accordance with Section 112.0455, Florida Statutes). f) Must be capable of hand cranking bridge gate. These physical requirements shall be evaluated on-site. 2. Must be at least 18 years old. II. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY FOR BRIDGE TENDERS A. Must be able to read and comprehend Florida Department of Transportation and United State Coast Guard manuals, rules, regulations and procedures (classroom and on-site testing). B. Must be able to keep logs and records in accordance with Florida Department of Transportation procedures in correct, legible English. C. Must be able to effectively communicate in English on the VHF marine radio. D. Must be able to follow instructions. E. After employment, must be able obtain authorization as a trained bridge tender. Tenders working on more than one bridge must be trained on each structure. Training is valid for 12 months for a specific bridge. EXHIBIT D 3 D-2 BT QUALIFICATIONS
III. TRAINING / TESTING A. NEW BRIDGE TENDER TRAINING 1. The Candidate Bridge Tender (CBT) must have the required skills, knowledge and abilities and be able to pass the physical requirements. 2. CBT shall attend four (4) days of on-the-job training (one (1) of which must be on night shift) at the bridge he/she is to operate. All training will be conducted by personnel approved by the District Structures Maintenance Engineer or District Bridge Tending Specialist. 3. Four days of on the-job training is required for the prospective bridge tenders, performing duties related to the following subject matter: a) Department s Responsibility and Liability 1) Bridge Inspection 2) Bridge Maintenance 3) Bridge Operations / Bridge Tending 4) District Organization b) Bridge Tender s Personal Liability c) Bridge Tender Qualifications d) Bridge Tender Training 1) United States Coast Guard Regulations 2) Operation of VHF Marine Radio 3) Automated Operation of Bridge 4) Manual Operation of Bridge a. Manual Operation Using Bypass Switches b. Manual Operation Using Hand Cranks for Gates e) Operation of Bridge using Auxiliary Power f) Forms and Logs 1) How to Fill Out Forms and Logs 2) Importance of Logged Data 3) How to Submit Logged Data EXHIBIT D 4 D-2 BT QUALIFICATIONS
g) Normal Operating Procedures h) Emergency Operating Procedures i) Alternate Means of Communications j) Housekeeping and Equipment Malfunction Procedures and Reporting 1) Bridge Tender House 2) Navigational Lighting 3) Fender Lights 4) Traffic Control Devices 5) Highway Lighting 6) Auxiliary Power Equipment 7) Bridge Control Systems 8) Bridge Drive Train 9) Span Locks k) Bridge Tending Safety l) Shift Change Functions m) Minimization of conflicts between marine and vehicular traffic. TESTING 1. The intent of the testing requirements is to evaluate the person s knowledge of bridge tending and operational requirements for the bridge to be operated. The completed test will be maintained as a record of the bridge tender s knowledge in each of the specific areas of operation. This will be used to determine the subjects to be included in continuing education for the individual bridge tenders. 2. New bridge tender testing is to be scheduled in the classroom after the CBT has successfully completed the four (4) days on-the-job training. The test shall be scored by dividing the number of correct answers by the total number of questions and multiplying by 100. A minimum score of 80 is required to pass the test. Those failing with less than 80% passing grade, will be dropped from consideration. At the discretion of the District Structures Maintenance Engineer or his/her representative, the applicant may retake the test a second time after repeating a minimum of two (2) days of training at the bridge. 3. Following the successful passing of the new bridge tender test, a bridge specific written test (minimum score of 80) is proctored by the Department s Bridge Tending Specialist on the bridge to be operated. EXHIBIT D 5 D-2 BT QUALIFICATIONS
4. Classroom and on-site bridge specific written and bridge operational test questions will be pulled from a question pool maintained by the Department and include the following subject matter: a) Bridge Tending Qualifications b) Bridge Tending Manual c) Supplemental Operating Procedures for the Bridge Tending Manuals d) Administrative Requirements e) Forms and logs f) United States Coast Guard Regulations g) Operating Procedures 5. Upon the successful passing of the written tests, an operational test shall be given after the CBT has had five (5) successful openings to the satisfaction of the Contractor s Bridge Tending Supervisor. The Department s Bridge Tending Specialist will observe the operational test. To pass the test, the District Bridge Tending Specialist must agree that the CBT can properly operate the bridge. Summary of minimum requirements: 4 DAYS OF TRAING ON THE BRIDGE (AT LEAST 5 OPENINGS) IN CLASSROOM WRITTEN TEST (MINIMUM SCORE OF 80) WRITTEN BRIDGE SPECIFIC TEST (MINIMUM SCORE OF 80) OPERATIONAL TEST ON THE BRIDGE 6. Successful CBTs will be issued an identification card which includes picture, name, identification number, job title and signature. 7. An alternate method of testing may be utilized when directed by the District Structures Maintenance Engineer. B. QUALIFYING FOR MULTIPLE BRIDGES 1. A bridge tender trained to operate one bridge may be authorized to operate other bridges after receiving not less than 1 (one) day of training at the prospective bridge site, having at least 3 (three) openings and successfully passing the bridge specific written and operational examinations. Summary of minimum requirements: 1 DAY OF TRAINING ON THE BRIDGE (AT LEAST 3 OPENINGS) WRITTEN BRIDGE SPECIFIC TEST (MINIMUM SCORE OF 90) OPERATIONAL TEST ON THE BRIDGE EXHIBIT D 6 D-2 BT QUALIFICATIONS
2. The original authorization for additional bridges will expire at the end of 12 months and continuing education requirements must be met. C. ANNUAL RECERTIFICATION 1. Every active Bridge Tender, Supervisor and Assistant Supervisors are required to pass the annual bridge tender exam to be able to get recertified to operate the District II movable bridges for another 12 months. 2. The format and level of training and testing will be determined by the District Structures Maintenance Engineer or District Bridge Tending Specialist based on the outcome of individual bridge tenders annual test. Any bridge tender who fails to achieve a grade of 90% or above on the Annual Test will be given additional training by their Supervisor and will be allowed to re-take the Annual Test (one time only). If the bridge tender fails the re-take with a grade below 90%, they will no longer be allowed to operate drawbridges within FDOT District II. D. INACTIVE BRIDGE TENDER 1. Bridge tenders who have been inactive for more than 3 (three) months must take 8 (eight) hours of on-the-job training, have at least 3 (three) openings at the bridge site and pass the written (minimum score of 90) and operational exam before they are authorized to operate bridges. Summary of minimum requirements: 1 DAY OF TRAING ON THE BRIDGE (AT LEAST 3 OPENINGS) WRITTEN BRIDGE SPECIFIC TEST (MINIMUM SCORE OF 90) OPERATIONAL TEST ON THE BRIDGE 2. Bridge tenders who have been inactive for more than 12 months will be considered first time candidates. IV. BRIDGE TENDER SUPERVISOR A. QUALIFICATIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 1. Meet the qualifications for employment as a bridge tender. 2. Meet the skills, knowledge and abilities for bridge tenders. 3. Be trained and tested on all bridges in area of supervision. EXHIBIT D 7 D-2 BT QUALIFICATIONS
B. BRIDGE TENDER SUPERVISOR TRAINING 1. Bridge Tender Supervisors shall be trained by the District Structures Maintenance Engineer or the District Bridge Tending Specialist. 2. The Bridge Tender Supervisor shall be issued an identification card including picture, name, identification number, job title and signature. 3. Bridge Tender Supervisors shall meet testing requirements as Bridge Tenders by passing annual tests. V. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS A. All Bridge Tenders and Bridge Tender Supervisors must conform to the conduct standards contained in Rule 14-17.012, F.A.C., and defined in Procedure 250-012-010, which is incorporated by reference under Rule 14-17.012, F.A.C. As a minimum, Bridge Tenders and Bridge Tender Supervisors must be disciplined as outlined in Rule 14-17.012, F.A.C. B. If the Contractor fails to discipline contract personnel or inadequately refute the charges within seven days of notification of the conduct standards violation, the contract may be cancelled, and said cancellation shall be considered good cause. C. The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that Bridge Tenders comply with all requirements of the contract and other pertinent procedures. VI. EXCEPTIONS All bridge tenders must meet the requirements as stated herein and be supervised as noted above. In emergencies, the Department may temporarily operate or authorize the bridge to be operated with personnel determined to be adequately trained, but not tested. For example; during repairs to a movable bridge drive train, control system, electrical or mechanical system, repair personnel familiar with the bridge operations and functions may operate the bridge as directed by the District Structures Maintenance Engineer or District Bridge Tending Specialist. This exception is in effect only until the operators can be trained or tested in accordance with this manual. EXHIBIT D 8 D-2 BT QUALIFICATIONS
STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT II APPENDIX B FORMS January 2015
SHIFT CHANGE Date ONCOMING Time OFFGOING Time THE BRIDGE TENDERS CONFIRM THAT THE SHIFT CHANGE PROCEDURE HAS BEEN ADHERED TO Joint review of Bridge Tender Log noting any unresolved problems or unusual conditions. Bypass switches are properly sealed except as noted. All items on Safety Equipment Checklist have been checked and OK except as noted. NOTES/COMMENTS: 2 x 6 RUBBER STAMP TO BE USED IN THE LOG BOOK WITH RED INK FOR SHIFT CHANGE PROCEDURE
STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT II APPENDIX C LOCK OUT TAG OUT January 2015
SAFE WORK PRACTICE LOCK OUT - TAG OUT DRAWBRIDGE EQUIPMENT SERVICING, REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION Servicing, repair, maintenance or inspection has to be performed on equipment or machine on drawbridges. Normally, the energy (power) source to any equipment or machine that has to be maintained or repaired has to be locked- or tagged-out to prevent unexpected start-up of the equipment or machine and avoid injury to servicing employee. However, in drawbridge operation, it may not be possible to totally lock-out the power source as drawbridge is expected to render uninterrupted operation or service. To ensure the safety of the employee(s) performing maintenance work on drawbridges while drawbridge remains in operation, the following must be observed: 1. Authorized Employee: When more than one (1) employee is involved in the maintenance work, only one employee will be designated and authorized to place or remove the lockor tag-out device, and communicate with designated bridge tender. 2. The employee authorized to service, repair or perform any maintenance on any drawbridge equipment or machine must: a. Be given instructions and understand the type and source of energy the machine or equipment utilizes; b. Identify the power source controlling the equipment or machine and place a lock- or tag device on the power source and operating control in the off position. (The power source may be located or controlled in the bridge console.) c. Inform the designated bridge tender of the reason for locking or tagging the operating control; d. Give specific instructions to the designated bridge tender that the lock or tag must not be removed or the controls placed in the on or operating position without being expressly told to do so; and e. Ensure that radio and/or visual communication is maintained with the designated bridge tender at all times. 2 APPENDIX C LOCK OUT TAG OUT SAFE WORK PRACTICE
3. When informed by the designated bridge tender of a request for a bridge opening and the need to operate drawbridge controls, the authorized employee must first ensure that it is safe, for himself (or any other employee performing the maintenance work) and for operation of the equipment or machine being maintained, before allowing the designated bridge tender to remove the lock or tag device and turn the power on. 4. Bridge Tender: When there is more than one (1) bridge tender, only one will be designated to communicate with authorized maintenance employee. The designated bridge tender must: a. Maintain radio and/or visual communication with authorized employee at all times; b. Inform the maintenance employee when there is a request for a bridge opening; c. Not remove the lock or tag device placed on the operating controls or place the control on the on or operating position without prior authorization from the employee performing maintenance work; d. When drawbridge operation is completed, place the operating controls on the off position and replace the lock-out or tag device on the operating controls; and e. Contact the authorized maintenance employee so work on the equipment machine can be resumed. 3 APPENDIX C LOCK OUT TAG OUT SAFE WORK PRACTICE