Northwest Technology Center's Business and Industry Services program offers a wide variety of Safety Training.

Northwest Technology Center celebrated its designation as a Safety Training Site on October 8, 2003. Business and industry leaders from the area as well as members from the Oklahoma Department of Career Tech watched as the new banner was unveiled. For several years NW Tech has provided individualized training for businesses and industries in the area of OSHA and safety training. More than 35,000 hours of safety training have been conducted in the past year for over 50 area businesses.

Safety Training Program Expanded in 2005

If you have taken a safety training course at Northwest Technology Center during the past several years, you have probably had Len Haight as an instructor. Haight has been teaching safety courses on both the Alva and Fairview campuses since early 2001.

In November 2005, Northwest Technology Center was awarded a $50,000 Safety Grant from the Oklahoma Department of Career Tech and Len Haight was hired as the full-time safety coordinator. According to Guy Forell, Business and Industry Services Coordinator, “The grant is to expand upon safety training services and to help our customers identify and develop safety plans for their businesses. Len will be focusing on this task with business and industry customers throughout the district and we are thrilled to have him on board!”

“As a full-time coordinator, I will have the time to develop training materials and curriculum specific to the needs of each business.” said Haight. “I am looking forward to coordinating safety assessments and identifying safety needs and then finding a way to help area businesses address those needs.”

Haight will work between Northwest Technology Center 's Alva and Fairview campuses. “The different communities have different needs. Before, we were getting the job done, but now we can take all of this to another level.” stated Haight.

Along with his 30 years of experience in the fire service, Haight has owned Northwest Fire and Safety Service since 1988. Haight has numerous safety certifications including forklift and motor vehicle accident prevention. He also possesses a 501 OSHA Permit which allows him to teach safety classes from one to 30 hours. “In many cases reducing Worker's Compensation rates for our customers.” said Haight.

Areas of Safety Training

Areas of training which are currently offered include:

• OSHA Orientation
• Emergency Planning
• Back Safety
• Electrical Safety
• Forklift Safety
• Driving Safety
• HAZCOM

Many other areas are also available. According to Haight, “Companies agreeing to participate in the grant may receive up to 30 hours of their safety training free of charge.”

For More Information

For further information on Safety Training available, contact Len Haight at the Alva Campus at 580.327.0344 or at the Fairview Campus at 580.227.3708.

Online Training

Students enrolled in the online safety training may access course work at http://safety.careertechnet.org.

Key Energy Participates in Training Program

Safety in the workplace is an important aspect for employees and employers. Having a safe workplace is a high priority item for Ron Calaway and his team at the Key Energy facility at Fairview.

Key Energy has partnered with Northwest Technology Center in many areas of safety and other areas of training. Twice each month, Key Energy sends employees to training on Northwest Technology Center’s Fairview campus. The employees have participated in the new Bullex fire training on different types of fires and intensity levels. This hands on training meets OSHA requirements as well as those guidelines provided by Key Energy.

Key Energy employees have also participated in a Hazwoper Safety course. This course included Fairview area employees as well as several from Texas and New Mexico.

“We have had over 100 people go through the OSHA and Safety and First Aid training.” said Kurt Mendel, District Safety Coordinator for Key Energy.  “Our full-time employees must attend annually and then we have had lots of contract employees go through.  The First Aid/CPR training can actually be utilized in the field, and I know of situations where it has been used.  It is a complete and hands on course that has three days of OSHA training and one full day of First Aid/CPR.”

According to Ron Calaway, Manager of the local Key Energy office, Northwest Technology Center is also providing training for the “soft” skill areas such as computer skills and relationship skills.

Several employees were involved in an Excel class and several other employees attended a course on supervisory training entitled “Managing the Real Time Workplace--On Your Feet and Face to Face”. The training is very interactive and incorporates work related issues into each session.

“We have had three groups of employees go through this training-approximately 25 employees.  There have been two major comments that have come out of the training. First, our employees have been made aware of their personal management styles.  Second, our supervisors have been taught how to deal with employees and their differing personalities, especially in crucial conversations. It really helped them to become aware of their interpersonal and communication skills.” said Calaway.

“Northwest Technology Center is appreciative to Key Energy for the working partnership and the trust that has been developed between the two organizations.  We look forward to building a comprehensive training program to enhance future growth.” stated Steve Kliewer, Business and Industry Services Director at Northwest Technology Center in Fairview.

Len Haight (far left) works with Key Energy employees during a recent fire safety training at Northwest Technology Center in Fairview.