Registration is open for four grain operations courses from the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) and Kansas State University (K-State) Distance Education Program.

These online courses run from February 9-March 13, and registration closes Tuesday, Feb. 3. Courses are open to anyone, even if they are not a GEAPS member or a student enrolled at K-State.

Two of the courses focus on safety. GEAPS 542: Electrical Safety for Grain and Processing Facilities provides a basic understanding of electrical safety requirements for grain elevators and processing facilities. It will help participants understand general electrical standards in grain facilities, including the requirements for electric motors and lighting, safety standards and why standards exist. This course will also teach students how to perform an audit, how to identify the classifications in a facility and how to hire qualified electrical contractors.

GEAPS 544: Preventing Grain Dust Explosions provides an overview of what causes grain dust explosions, how to prevent them and the potentially disastrous consequences of explosions. It will also provide insight on how to gauge the effectiveness of control measures, and how companies should prepare to respond to explosions.

Beyond the safety courses, GEAPS 521: Aeration System Design and Fan Operational Management will help participants understand the purpose of grain aeration, system components and how to calculate and develop strategies for aeration system design and fan operational management. This course teaches the basic principles of designing and operating grain aeration systems to maintain grain quality during storage.

In GEAPS 530: Quality Management Systems for Bulk Materials Handling Operations, participants learn about quality management systems and how they are used in agricultural storage environments. This course provides strategies for integrating systems into standard operating procedures and normal business activities and teaches the skills needed to create food safety plans and develop quality management systems. After completing the course, participants should be able to do a basic quality analysis of your operation and identify points where physical quality or economics are impacted.

GEAPS 542 and GEAPS 544 are two of four courses required for the Specialist Credential in Property and Casualty Risk Management. Participants looking to earn the credential can take GEAPS 545: Grain Entrapment: Causes, Prevention and Rescue in April and GEAPS 541: Developing an Effective Safety Culture in May. More information on the Credential Program, including the courses required for other Specialist Credentials, is available on the GEAPS website.

Tuition for GEAPS/K-State distance education courses is $640 for GEAPS members and $815 for non-members. For more information about the courses or the GEAPS/K-State Distance Education Program, visit www.geaps.com or contact Laura Atchley at GEAPS at [email protected] or 952-928-4640.

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