Roads Scholar #6: Heavy Equipment Safety & Maintenance for Local Agencies

About the Course

This course is designed to provide safety and maintenance best practices for those who work on and around heavy construction equipment.

Each year, workers are killed and thousands sustain serious injuries while working on and around heavy equipment. The majority of these accidents are caused by human error and most are preventable. This class will provide general safety tips - and describe the responsibilities each worker has in ensuring their own safety and that of the public. It will also focus on all aspects of equipment maintenance from pre-start and shutdown inspection of equipment, to operator checks, and periodic maintenance.

The instructor will explain the importance of proper maintenance practices as they relate to keeping equipment operating costs down, getting the best performance, and ensuring equipment is operating safety.

Who Should Attend

This class is suitable for operators, foreman, superintendents, field maintenance, workshop mechanics and others who may be interested in the course topics.

Course Times

Registration/Check-in 7:00 a.m.

Class 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Course Schedule

Mandeville 1/21/2026 - The Castine Center at Pelican Park 63350 Pelican Drive Mandeville, LA 70448

Gretna 1/22/2026 - Mel Ott Multi-Purpose Center, 2301 Belle Chasse Highway, Gretna, LA 7053

Baton Rouge 1/27/2026 - TTEC Center, Auditorium, 4099 Gourrier Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Lake Charles 1/28/2026 - White Oak Landing, 5584 River Road, Lake Charles, LA 70815

Lafayette 2/3/2026 - Lafayette Utilities System, 1314 Walker Road, Lafayette, LA 70506

West Monroe 2/24/2026 - Cheniere Lake Lodge, 104 Cheniere Lake Drive, West Monroe, LA 71292

Minden 2/25/2026 - LA Wildlife and Fisheries 9961 Hwy 80, Minden, LA 71055

Alexandria 2/26/2026 - Alexandria Convention Center 2301 N. MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, LA 71303

Instructor

Dwight Hutchinson

Dwight worked as Supervisor of the Louisiana DOTD's Heavy Equipment Shop from 2016 until his retirement in 2021. He began his career as a fleet mechanic and soon became specialized in heavy duty equipment maintenance, OSHA inspections on aerial lift equipment, and environmental health and safety. During his 37+ years with Bell South and AT&T, he worked on weather-related emergencies and storm restoration. He was part of an Emergency Restoration Team in 2004 that provided restoration services after Florida's devastation from several hurricanes. He has received recognition awards from the White House Communications Office for his work in providing communication for the President and Vice President during visits to Mississippi. Dwight has also been a fire fighter since 1988 serving as training officer, safety officer, fire chief (for five years), and presently serves as a Certified Incident Safety Officer. He received training and certification from the Fire Department Safety Officers Association, and numerous trainings through LSU Fireman's Training. Throughout his career, Dwight worked on and operated a vast array of vehicles and equipment - from bulldozers to bridge inspection trucks to floating fire pumps to 105-foot aerial platforms.

Fees & Cancellations for RS#6

$35 for Public Agencies

$70 Private Agencies

Credit card payments are accepted through the online registration system. Checks or money orders are also accepted.

Make checks payable to: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Mail checks to: LTAP-Technology Transfer/LTRC,4099 Gourrier Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4443.ATTN: Victor Lockwood

Registration is required one week in advance of class. Failure to cancel at least 72 hours prior will result in a forfeit of the registration fee. Participant substitution is available.

Professional Development Hours (PDHs)

Professional Development Hour (PDH) credit will be awarded as follows: six (6) PDHs for RS#6. LTRC is a Louisiana State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, approved Sponsor/Provider of Continuing Professional Development. 

Questions?

Contact the LTAP Office via:

Phone: (225) 767-9717

Fax: (225) 767-9156

Email: victor.lockwood@la.gov

The Louisiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is a cooperative effort between the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Louisiana State University (LSU). LTAP serves the needs of local transportation agencies and is a part of the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC). 

www.louisianaltap.org