(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will provide Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training at each of its four West Texas campuses in August.
Classes will be offered in two-day courses that will lead to OSHA 10 credentials. Each course is limited to 10 students, who must attend both days to receive credit.
Training will be held in Breckenridge on August 10-11, followed by Sweetwater on August 17-18, Abilene on August 24-25 and Brownwood on August 31-September 1. Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Misty Mayo, the Development Corporation of Abilene’s president and chief executive officer, said TSTC’s training will provide employers with a unique opportunity.
“The Development Corporation of Abilene builds the future of Abilene through implementation and support of programs that sustain and enhance skills and capabilities of regional workforce within targeted industries,” she said. “OSHA 10 training provided by TSTC meets industry standards as businesses look for ways to further enhance education and training of their workforce that will increase productivity and reduce loss of time. The DCOA gladly partners with TSTC as we work together to support the needs of our target industries.”
Cindy Brunett, executive director of Workforce Training at TSTC, worked with Teresa Purcell, TSTC’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance instructor, on the curriculum.
“The course layout will be for general industry safety that teaches basic safety and health information to entry-level workers in construction and general industry,” Brunett said. “Part of the course will explain what makes up a serious workplace hazard, workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file an OSHA complaint.”
Purcell said participants will learn several safety protocols, including walking and working surfaces, electrical safety, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, ergonomics, fall protection, confined space, fire safety, lockout and tag-out, and hazardous materials. She said the OSHA mission also will be covered over the two days of the course.
“When you complete this program, you will have a better understanding of hazards in the workplace and how to prevent them from happening,” Purcell said. “We will look at real-time hazards and scenarios, and discuss prevention to help identify these near misses, incidents or accidents from happening. Students will gain knowledge on how to properly look up and understand OSHA standards and regulations.”
Local businesses can benefit from the training, according to Purcell.
“Having employees trained reduces safety hazards from occurring,” she said. “Employees are more knowledgeable on precautions that need to be taken in the workplace and how to make things safer for everyone involved.”
Purcell said businesses of any size may register employees for the classes.
“Everyone in the workforce needs to know basic safety hazards associated with their job to assure their safety, not only for themselves, but others around them,” she said. “A safer work environment provides a better morale and productivity for workers in the workplace.”
Brunett said the OSHA 10 training is the first of many planned workforce events in West Texas.
“We are working on several opportunities for our business partners in West Texas,” she said. “We are excited to be able to bring these training sessions to them.”
To register for the OSHA 10 training or to ask questions about the course, email workforcetraining@tstc.edu.
For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
