Protecting workers is the key mission of the West Virginia University Safety and Health Extension, and authorized trainers continue to lead the nation for Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10-hour and 30-hour classes taught and rank in the top five nationally in direct delivery of OSHA Education Center courses.

The WVU Safety and Health Extension is the lead organization that comprises the National Resource Center, partnering with the Center for Construction Research and Training to increase the amount of amount of training able to be delivered.

This calendar year alone WVU has led the monthly OSHA 10- and 30-hour class ranking to date, a trend that’s well established and has been consistent over the past five years according to Wayne Lundstrom, WVU Safety and Health Extension specialist and director of the center.

“Being able to recognize the hazards associated with your work and knowing what steps to take to avoid those hazards are crucial steps in ensuring worker safety,” said Lundstrom. “We’re proud to help educate and protect the workforce across our state and across our region.”

The WVU Safety and Health Extension is part of the national network of non-profit organizations that comprise the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, authorized by OSHA to deliver occupational safety and health training to public and private sector workers, supervisors, and employers.

One of 27 OSHA education centers nationally, the NRC serves supervisors and workers in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and Delaware. Consortium partner The Center for Construction Research and Training provides training nationally to all construction and building trades union members.

The OSHA classes are delivered by authorized trainers that are required to have more than five years of safety-related industry experience, take two four-day OSHA courses, pass a written exam for both courses and pass a performance based exam.

The WVU Safety and Health Extension keeps the state’s residents and professional workforce safe by providing guidance and training on a variety of topics, ranging from comprehensive courses in industrial safety all the way through advice for homeowners who want to protect themselves and their families from common household injuries.

Connecting the people of West Virginia to the University’s resources and programs is the primary goal of WVU Extension Service and its 55 offices throughout the state. Local experts, like WVU Extension’s agents and specialists, work to help improve the lifestyles and well-being of youths, workforces, communities, farms and businesses through trusted research in the counties in which they serve.

To learn more about WVU Extension programs, visit www.ext.wvu.edu, or contact your local office of the WVU Extension Service.

-WVU-

zl/05/13/15

CONTACT: Cassie Thomas, WVU Extension Service
304.293.8735, Cassie.Thomas@mail.wvu.edu

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