PEWL Gas Safety Program Helps Keep New Yorkers Safe

June is National Safety Month. In appreciation of this important safety observance, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) is proud to spotlight the work of the Gas Safety Training program in its Office of Professional Education and Workplace Learning (PEWL) unit.

PEWL, together with the CUNY Building Performance Lab (BPL), partner with Con Edison to design, develop, and deliver an adult learning-centric gas safety training program to New York City building superintendents and property management firms. Gas Safety Training, one of 15 PEWL programs, was launched in the fall of 2018, with classes beginning in 2019. More than 600 people have been trained since its inception.

This program offers free gas safety training classes for building owners, managers, superintendents, operators, and maintenance staff of all New York City residential buildings. The entirely online training consists of two courses. The Superintendent’s course is a three hour instructor-led class, while the Owner – Manager course is a combination of three e-learning modules and a 2.5-hour instructor-led class.

The e-Learning modules teach participants how to detect gas leaks and know what to do if someone smells an odor of gas; manage, maintain, and repair building gas systems; secure required qualifications/certifications; identify pertinent equipment to address problems; hire properly certified contractors and secure all necessary permits and approvals and obtain approval.

"This is an important program," said PEWL Energy Management Program Director Michelle Attles. "Con Edison has entrusted us with this training and that speaks to the quality of the product that's been presented and the sense of caring that the team has shown with their staff."

Attles also noted that this past year her team and BPL colleagues developed, created, and published a gas safety resource kit brochure that details the hazards of natural gas and how to prepare for, recognize and respond to possible gas safety incidents. The colorful brochure was shared with the class participants’ property management company and is a handy guide to have in their buildings.

In addition, earlier this year PEWL conducted a comprehensive evaluation to assess the training’s outcomes. Reaction surveys collected immediately following each training session indicate that Gas Safety training participants were extremely satisfied with their experiences, with all survey questions averaging scores above 4.8 out of 5.0.

A follow-up survey of previous Gas Safety Training attendees, conducted last summer, found that many respondents have implemented or are in the process of implementing gas safety protocols.

"The course was very informative, well laid out and the instructors did a great job getting the entire room involved in the course work," one participant wrote in the survey. "I personally walked away enlightened on gas safety, not only for my professional dealings as a property manager, but also for my own home’s gas safety."

Most participants felt the instructors were knowledgeable. It was noted that having a representative from Con Ed was useful, particularly because Con Ed is a powerful partner in allaying fears of gas shutoffs. They also said the training was easy to understand and met participants’ expectations.

One participant reflected that tenant participation in gas safety awareness is the biggest obstacle, and that it would be helpful to expand this training to other people in their organization, like front desk staff, security, or night staff. 

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies

As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.

Press Contact
Andrea Fagon
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
andrea.fagon@cuny.edu