Ask industry leaders what comes first when hiring an employee to fill a position of need and the answers will most likely all be the same. Safety comes first. This mindset is not lost at Sampson Community College, where the college strives to ensure that instructors place that same level of importance in its classes.
“I spent a week in Greensboro taking the Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry class,” says Industrial Systems Technology instructor, David Locklear. “We haven’t taught the students here anything if we haven’t taught them safety first, which is why it is such a high priority. That is number one.”
The course Locklear refers to covers OSHA policies, procedures, and standards, and general industry safety and health principles. Topics included scope and application of the OSHA General Industry Standards, general industry principles and special emphasis on those areas in general industry which are most hazardous. Upon his completion, Locklear is certified to define general industry terms found in the OSHA General Industry Standards, identify hazards that occur in general industry, locate and determine appropriate OSHA General Industry Standards, policies, and procedures as it relates to industry.
“As it relates to safety, I always tell my students to go home the same way you came to work. Don’t have an accident or get injured because you weren’t paying attention or disregarded basic safety steps. There is a reason so many workplaces have signs that tell employees how many days their company has gone without an accident. Because safety is the most important thing.
If a company can hire a worker right out of college that already has this mindset, that’s great!”
SCC’s Industrial Systems Technology program is designed to prepare students to safely service, maintain, repair, or install equipment. Instruction includes theory and skill training needed for inspecting, testing, troubleshooting, and diagnosing industrial systems. Students learn multi-craft technical skills in print reading, mechanical systems maintenance, electricity, hydraulics/pneumatics, welding, machining and fabrication, and includes various diagnostic and repair procedures. To find out more about the Industrial Systems Technology program, contact Locklear at 910.900.4037.
About Sampson Community College: Sampson Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System, located in Clinton, NC in Sampson County. The college offers many programs to include two-year degrees, college transfer, continuing education and workforce development options and early college education. SCC is committed to the principles of equal educational and employment opportunities for all.
