The CIMM website, www.isa.org/cimm , features the most recent information about this new certification program for industrial maintenance mechanics, including the eligibility requirements, upcoming exam dates, key knowledge and skills, and a detailed program handbook. The CIMM Study Guide can also be purchased from the website.
The first CIMM exam is scheduled for 7 October in Houston at ISA EXPO 2004.Certifying Maintenance Mechanics Brings US Manufacturing to Global Standard "The US is the only industrialized nation that does not have some type of national certification for maintenance mechanics," says Rod Lincoln, a manager at Cytec Industries' Louisiana operation and chair of the CIMM steering team. Initially the push to develop this certification program was spearheaded by a consortium of Cytec Industries and ten other Louisiana petrochemical companies. After realizing, though, that the group didn't have sufficient experience to develop and administer a certification program for industrial mechanics they contacted ISA for help.
The new CIMM program couldn't be more timely, as OSHA has hinted targeting maintenance mechanics for stricter supervision. According to Lincoln, a regional OSHA representative speaking at a petroleum training professionals' conference in late 2000 said, "OSHA feels comfortable that petrochemical companies are properly addressing process training and certification standards, but maintenance certification does not seem to be happening." The Certified Industrial Maintenance Mechanic program is the industry's first successful attempt to standardize the training and certification of its maintenance workers. About ISAISA is a 33,000-member global, nonprofit, educational organization connecting people and ideas in automation + control.
The Society fosters advancement in the theory, design, manufacture, and use of sensors, instruments, computers, and systems for automation in a wide variety of applications. In addition to hosting the largest conferences and exhibitions for automation in the Western Hemisphere, ISA is a leading technical training organization and a respected publisher of books, magazines, and standards. ISA also serves the professional development and certification needs of industry professionals and practitioners with its Certified Automation Professional (CAP), Certified Control Systems TechnicianR (CCSTR), Certified Industrial Maintenance Mechanic (CIMM) programs, and the Control Systems Engineers (CSE) license.
Additional information about ISA is available at www.isa.org .
