News Update
July 27, 2022
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Safety Spotlight Interview: Tara Morris has Set Her Sights on a Career in Safety |
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Longtime OSHA Training Institute Education Center instructor Mike Estep recently suggested that we interview Tara Morris after her participation and outstanding performance in his OSHA #511 course. I quickly understood early in my conversation with Tara why Mike wanted us to showcase this smart, energetic and caring young woman as an excellent example of the bright future for workplace safety. Tara has already learned a lot about the value of maintaining a safe work environment under high-pressure, real-world conditions, and is very focused on pursuing a career in safety.
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Near Miss Incident Illustrates Why Safety Matters
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To illustrate the dangers involved with maintaining and moving the MH-60 aircraft, Tara described a near miss incident that she witnessed. A Plane Captain was directing a crew in the movement of the specified aircraft, walking backwards and shuffling side to side to maneuver the aircraft into a confined space. He didn’t notice a puddle of hydraulic fluid behind him and stepped into it, slipped and fell. Other team members followed safety protocol by blowing their required whistles (standard issue gear) to alert the entire crew to stop the aircraft from moving until the Plane Captain could safely move out of the way. Without safety procedures and training, this incident could have easily ended in disaster. |
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Tara’s interest in occupational safety began to unfold after she joined the US Navy two and a half years ago and started her training as an Aviation Electrician, working with the Navy’s MH-60 Seahawk helicopters. While learning the technical aspects of being an electrician and its application to the MH-60 was key, equally important was understanding the multiple levels of safety standards and in-depth safety protocols involved in handling and maintaining such large aircraft. As Tara says, she and her team had to learn “how not to kill yourself and others.”
Tara was part of an essential team responsible for taxiing helicopters into hangars after landing and back into position prior to takeoff. She was trained to troubleshoot all electrical aspects of the aircraft and help conduct pilot safety checks before takeoff. She also became certified as a Plane Captain, which entails making sure the helicopter is ready for flight and leading a team of six qualified personnel for the safety of the aircraft move. In this high-pressure situation, Tara acquired and developed firsthand experience in the critical role of keeping herself and her team safe during these complex maneuvers by staying vigilant and alert to potential missteps that could lead to serious injuries or worse.
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“People are my passion,
safety is my mission.”
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Tara credits her mentor, a First Class Petty Officer, with suggesting that she explore her interest in safety by taking an OSHA 10-Hour class, which sparked her interest and motivated her to continue expanding her safety education. She also expressed gratitude for the support she received from Russell Levy, Founder of Veterans Transition Support, who offered valuable information and encouraged her to keep on the safety track. Tara’s next step was to take the OSHA 30-Hour class, where she was inspired by veterans speaking about how they had pursued careers with OSHA. Tara later enrolled in OSHA #511 OSHA Standards for General Industry and being one of the youngest participants didn’t hinder her from becoming an exceptional student.
Tara ultimately wants to become “the best Safety Manager I can be.” She believes that building trust with others is essential to being effective in supporting safety in the workplace. We are excited to welcome Tara Morris to the occupational safety and health community and look forward to watching her grow and develop as part of the next generation of safety professionals. Read Full Article
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~Quick Links to In-Person OSHA Classes~ |
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~Quick Links to Virtual Zoom OSHA Classes~ |
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Physical distancing and safety guidelines followed, and class sizes are reduced. Proof of vaccination status required on Pleasanton campus only.
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In Region IX OSHA numbered Virtual, Instructor-Led classes offered via Zoom are only available to participants located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Call 866-936-6742 if you are unsure if this applies to you.
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5860 Owens Drive
3rd Floor
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: 866-936-6742
Fax: 925-460-0133
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is authorized by OSHA to offer occupational safety and health training to workers, supervisors and employers.
We offer OSHA standards-based classes In-Person and Virtual Instructor-Led via Zoom for construction, maritime, disaster site and general industries in California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. In-person classes follow safety protocols, and class sizes are limited, so early registration is strongly advised.
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The recommendations in this email are advisory in nature, informational in content, and intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace.
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