Fire Service stresses safety for recruits
Employment Minister Tara Rivers (centre) presented certificates to Fire Service recruits with Acting Fire Chief John Bodden (left centre), Department of Labour and Pensions Director Mario Ebanks (far left) and OSH trainer Gene Hydes (second right)
(CNS): Cayman Islands Fire Service recruits received extra training in job safety at a two-day course organised by the Department of Labour and Pensions. The occupational safety and health (OSH) course emphasised three core areas: safety management, job-hazard recognition and job-hazard analysis, which involved creating safety controls.
Head of Inspections Gene Hydes, an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-authorised trainer, led the sessions. He praised the Fire Service for striving to protect its employees, and said the intention of the interactive training was to provide the recruits with the tools necessary to stay as safe as possible in a risky job.
On the first day of training, the 12 participants completed a job-hazard recognition exercise, using information obtained from previous OSH worksite inspections. This provided the participants with a first-hand understanding of the role of the inspection and OSH unit.
Participants then completed a job-hazard analysis which resulted in a document that provided OSH guidelines for their day-to-day work. Other topics addressed included scaffolding safety, fall protection, stairways and ladders, and confined space entry.
On the second day, the recruits learned about the various types of personal protective equipment and receiving training on its proper use. The presenter also provided them with an introduction to hygiene, chemical safety and identification, and electrical safety.
In addition to his OSHA background, Hydes is a certified safety auditor and accident-investigation technician.
At the end of the course, the participants sat a short exam, with all 12 recruits earning the score of 80% or higher necessary for success.
Minister for Employment Tara Rivers congratulated the recruits as she presented their course-completion certificates at the Fire Service headquarters, where the course was held.
Acting Fire Chief John Bodden thanked the Labour Department for facilitating the course. “Safety is essential to the work of a fire officer. Fire Services is committed to keeping our staff safe and healthy, but also to empowering them wherever possible through professional development opportunities like these,” he said.
Category: Civil Service
