Learning Experience | Walk-In Policy | Late Arrival Policy | Cell Phones | PPE | Weapons | Closure/Delay | Billing | Payment

Students are Entitled to a Positive Learning Experience

HAMMER promotes a positive learning environment for students. We do that by providing a world class facility, employing the best instructors and Worker-Trainers available, and delivering "Training as Real as it Gets!" However, students can only get the experience they are entitled to by:

• Participating fully:
  • Share experiences so others can learn from them
  • Ask questions
  • Return on time from breaks/lunch
• Respecting others:
  • Listen while others are speaking
  • Appreciate other points of view
  • Stay focused on the training content

Student Walk-In Policy

Student walk-ins coming to HAMMER need to report to Logistics (MO-260) a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the class start time; this includes students taking the place of another student on the roster. For a morning class, this is typically 6:00am since most classes start at 6:30am; for afternoon classes, this would normally be 11:30am, since most afternoon classes start at noon. It is the responsibility of the student to verify the class start time and arrive accordingly.

Arriving 30 minutes prior does not guarantee admittance into a class. HAMMER will make every effort to accommodate walk-in requests subject to seating availability and verification of course prerequisites.

Late Arrival Policy

Students should normally arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the class start time. This gives time for the student to make sure they are at the right location and to find a seat and sign in on the roster. Students who are late for the class may, based on the specific course and situation, be turned away from the class any time after the designated start time. The student will be billed for the course if they are late or if they are a no show.

Background

Classroom training at HAMMER is a collaborative endeavor in which the student interacts with other students, instructors, facilitators, and props to achieve the learning objectives of the course. To do this, students need to arrive on time so they can be involved in the training and be able to receive the needed information and skill development.

Students who arrive late to class create a number of issues. 1) Our sessions typically start with an important safety briefing that describes general responses to emergencies as well as more specific information on potential hazards and their controls that may be present in the class or at the HAMMER facility. It is critically important to receive this briefing. 2) Early in our sessions, we cover basic information that typically sets the stage for the rest of the class. Important information such as key learning objectives and discussing the plan/schedule for the class is also covered. 3) Some classes have hard regulatory drivers that not only define what must be taught, but the length of the course as well. If students come in late, they may not be meeting these drivers.

Cell Phone Policy

 Cell phone protocol is adopted by Hanford Contractors to ensure training is conducted without disruption, to avoid video/pictures of training activities that are not authorized, and to maintain the effectiveness and integrity of the training completion process. Cell phone protocol does accommodate the need for receiving critical business calls and/or personal calls during training.

Cell Phone Use During Training Presentation/Practical Activities

• Cell phones are to be turned off during training presentation/practical activities or placed in vibrate mode if needed to receive business or critical personal calls.
• Students receiving calls will quietly leave the training setting in a manner that avoids disruption to other trainees.
• Other cell phone use (texting, video streaming, picture/video taking) is not authorized during training presentation/practical activities. 

Cell Phone Use During Written Examinations/Practical Evaluations

• Cell phones must be turned off during written examination or practical evaluation activities. If students have legitimate needs for access to incoming cell phone calls, arrangements must be made with the examination proctor or instructor who will monitor phones placed in their custody during written examinations/practical evaluations.

Personal Protective Equipment Policy

The HAMMER and Hanford Training Center Facilities are required to meet the personal protection equipment (PPE) requirements contained in MSC-PR0-45009, Personal Protective Equipment. If a student does not arrive at the training facility with the appropriate PPE they may be released to their manager and have to reschedule the training. This will result in the individual's training being coded "Incomplete/No Bill" or "Incomplete/Bill" depending on the class.

Note: Specialty equipment, such as fall arrest harnesses, respirators, etc., will continue to be provided to students as part of the training.

The level of PPE for a training activity is identified on the Training Activity Sheet and maintained in the PeopleSoft database.

When a Training Coordinator enrolls a student into a course using the PeopleSoft program, the student and the student's manager automatically receives an email message containing the course information (date, time, location, etc.) and the appropriate level of PPE.

The following are general guidelines:

Classrooms
The requirements for Administrative/Office Areas apply, i.e., appropriate footwear.

Hands-on Training Prop Areas
The requirements for Operating Areas apply, i.e., substantial footwear, safety glasses,
long pants (not shorts) and shirts with sleeves.

Training Involving Overhead or Elevated Load Activities
The requirements for Heavy Industrial Areas apply, i.e., the above plus hard hats and
safety protective footwear.

If there is a question regarding the PPE required for a course, contact the Point of Contact for the course.

Weapons Policy

In accordance with MSC-PRO-417, Controlling Prohibited and Controlled Articles, Hanford Patrol, Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement personnel are authorized to transport or bear prohibited/controlled articles necessary to perform official duties.

Local, State, and Federal law enforcement personnel are authorized to carry weapons inside the HAMMER facility provided they remain holstered or slung unless needed in a preserve/save life capacity. Law enforcement personnel must be in uniform or prominently display their agency shield unless they are carrying a concealed weapon.

Any exceptions to this policy will be handled on a case by case basis and be approved by the HAMMER Director, Manager of MSA Physical Security, and Commandant of the Hanford Patrol Training Academy.

Live fire weapon training or demonstrations are not authorized at HAMMER.

Simulated Weapons

Engagement Simulation Systems (ESS) (e.g. Dye marking cartridge firearms, multiple integrated laser engagement systems or MILES, blank fire weapons) are permitted at HAMMER. It is mandatory that live fire weapons are segregated from ESS weapons. Inert training weapons in the form of blue or red guns are also authorized for use at HAMMER; again the co-mingling of live fire weapons is prohibited. Blue or red guns are solid plastic replicas of live fire weapons incapable by design of firing any type of ammunition.

Notify HAMMER Work Control at 376-5353 immediately upon discovery of any non-compliance to this policy.

Work Closure, Delay, or Early Release

This policy applies to training provided at the HAMMER Federal Training Center. When a work closure, delay or early release is announced for Hanford personnel the following will apply:

Note: HAMMER Management reserves the right to deviate from this policy on a case-by-case basis to meet mission requirements.

Click on the weather icon below for current closures, delays and driving conditions.

Billing Policy

HAMMER/Hanford Training aims for a fair billing policy that allows various courses of action depending on the situation. In general we:

Payment Policy

This policy applies to students who are required to prepay for tuitions with a credit card.

Students will be enrolled into a course after the registration form is received and payment has been processed by Hanford Training. Contact Hanford Training at ^Training - HAMMER@rl.gov to cancel a registration at least five working days before the class begins. There will be no tuition refunds for cancellations less than five full working days. Five working days does not include the day of notification. If you cannot cancel within the five-day limit, you may send a substitute. Ensure that the substitute crosses out the name of the registered student on the roster; otherwise, both students will be billed.