Electrical Juniors Earn OSHA Maritime Authorization
May 2, 2018
On Tuesday, May 1, eighteen students at William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School became the first to achieve OSHA Maritime authorization cards at the high-school level. The students are juniors in the school’s Electrical and Renewable Energy program. The credential, issued by the OSHA Training Institute Education Center, is intended to signify the cardholder’s readiness for occupational health and safety situations they may face in the workforce.
“In high school, we attempt to prepare our students for the future. In safety and health, it is no different,” said Kimlee Lindgren, Lead Instructor of Construction and Maritime at OSHA Training Institute Education Center. “We can prepare students for situations they may face in their summer jobs as well as employment beyond graduation.”
Students underwent ten hours of training to prepare for the exam. “The test is all about safety and procedures,” explained Devon McKenna, a Pawtucket resident and junior who achieved the card. “We go over safety hazards, like if you’re unloading freights or cargo (among others).” McKenna currently plans to study to be an electrical engineer after graduation. He hopes to intern with a company like Electric Boat this summer.
Program instructor Frank Barcellos explained that the benefits of earning credentials in OSHA Maritime initially began with a desire to prepare students for opportunities with Electric Boat, but has greater potential. “This card isn’t only limited to one employer,” Barcellos said. “It’s good and would be recognized at any shipyard.”
Lindgren agrees the skills are transferrable. “If occupational safety and health is not their desire as a profession, these courses are still crucial in any profession. They serve as a benefit to any worker, supervisor, or management. The courses demonstrate the moral, legal, and financial requirements, and more importantly, the benefits of safety and health in the work environment.”