Individuals can prepare to enter industry or expand their skills with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10-Hour General Industry or Construction Outreach safety courses at the Gulf Coast Safety Institute.

“These courses give individuals a baseline of information in health and safety with no out-of-pocket expense so they can protect themselves from hazards on the job,” said Cindy Lewis, director of the Gulf Coast Safety Institute. “Understanding the basics of safety in the workplace is part of what makes an employee job ready.”

The next General Industry OSHA 10-Hour Class will be Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Topics include emergency action plans, fire prevention plans, electrical safety, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, control of hazardous energy (lockout-tagout) and fall protection. To register, call 409-933-8162 or email at gcsi@com.edu.  

The Construction Industry 10-Hour Course is offered in Spanish Jan. 10-11 and in English Feb. 7-8 by the Texas Department of Insurance, Workplace Safety Division. Topics include health hazards in construction, personal protective equipment, excavations, power tools and electrical and fall hazards. Register by emailing safetytraining@tdi.texas.gov or calling 512-804-4610. 

All classes will be taught at the Gulf Coast Safety Institute at 320 Delany Rd. in La Marque. Course completers will receive a wallet card. For more information, contact the Gulf Coast Safety Institute at 409-933-8162 or visit www.com.edu/gcsi.

Established in 2007, the Gulf Coast Safety Institute focuses on providing safety and health education, training and outreach. For more information on the institute, contact Lewis at 409-933-8495 or clewis1@com.edu or visit www.com.edu/gcsi.