Our number one priority is to ensure that our Local 449 brothers and sisters return home from the jobsite the same way  they arrived. In celebration of National Occupational Safety Week, we’re renewing our commitment to safety on the job with two weeks of refresher courses during lunch. While our apprenticeship program includes a comprehensive curriculum of safety courses, there is no such thing as having too much safety training. 

The training kicked off on Monday April 28th with a visit from Matt Koon (President of Environmental Health and Safety Solutions) and Zach Commerford (Regional Sales Manager for FallTech). The two provided a refresher on proper harness use and fall prevention.  

“These refreshers are extremely important. Sometimes you can forget the little things when you’re just trying to get the job done so it’s always nice to remind people of the proper way to ensure they follow the proper safety measures,” said Commerford.  

Free lunch was provided while Commerford and Koon trained students on the quick ABCs (Anchors, Body Harnesses, and Connection Points) of how to properly wear a body harness on the job.  

“Local 449 is committed to putting the best apprentices out in the field with the highest level of safety knowledge. Their training will allow them to lead by example and help others to be more mindful on the job,” said Koon whose organization has partnered with Local 449 for the last 5 years.  

Steamfitters’ safety training refreshers will continue throughout the next two weeks as we welcome other expert trainers to our technology center. They will touch on more of the protocols and procedures that’ll keep our men and women safe and secure in the field.