As part of National Safety Month in June, the Alaska Job Corps Center held a Safety Fair on campus on Friday, June 30, to emphasize the importance of practicing safety every single day.

Students in each of the nine trades taught at the Center—Carpentry, Building Construction Technology, Water and Wastewater Treatment, Electrical, Accounting Services, Office Administration, Security and Protective Services, Certified Nursing Assistant and Culinary Arts—all participated in the Fair by staffing booths that highlighted both the safety issues and safety equipment required for their trades.

For example, at the Carpentry booth, students in that trade familiarized other students with safety harnesses, hard hats, types of ear protection and the importance of using eye protection. At another table, the Culinary Arts students shared posters on proper hand hygiene, safe food temperatures and basic first aid. Certified Nursing Assistant students brought some of the tools of their trade to their booth, including Personal Protective Equipment such as masks, gowns and gloves. Water and Wastewater Treatment students wore HAZMAT suits and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment to demonstrate safety equipment used in their trade.

Other highlights of the Safety Fair included a presentation and video about hunting safety by an Alaska Department of Fish and Game officer. The Palmer Volunteer Fire Department also brought equipment to the Center to teach students how to put out a fire using a fire extinguisher. Students also participated in a life jacket game to show them the importance of using a Personal Flotation Device.

“Safety on the Alaska Job Corps campus is of absolute paramount importance,” said Malyn Smith, Alaska Job Corps Center Director. “We treat the safety of our students and staff as our number one priority.”

Each week, the Center distributes a Center-wide safety bulletin on different Occupational Safety and Health Administration topics. Recent weeks’ topics covered in the bulletin include the importance of using hearing protection, head protection, bear safety, the most common causes of workplace accidents and more.

“At the Safety Fair, I learned all about the importance of safety, and it was interesting to learn about safety in other trades,” said Rebecca Standal, a Certified Nursing Assistant student. “For example, I learned how important it is in the Carpentry and Building Construction Technology trades to protect yourself from falling objects and fumes. I also learned how to put out a fire using a fire extinguisher, which is a great, useful skill to have.”

June was National Safety Month and, as a result, the Alaska Job Corps Center held an activity earlier in the month where students had to spot and fix a workplace hazard.
For example, students spotted blocked fire extinguishers, tripping hazards and obstructed doorways. Students immediately fixed those hazards using the safety rules they had learned. Another activity for National Safety Month included a speaker from the Palmer Police Department who presented on anti-violence, domestic violence and sexual assault.

“We enjoy a close partnership with the Palmer Police Department to keep our students safe on campus,” added Smith. “This positive partnership, along with our everyday activities and daily education and emphasis on safety, ensures the safety of our greatest asset—our students.”

The Alaska Job Corps Center is a federally funded career training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and managed by Chugach Educational Services, Inc. The Center is committed to providing the highest quality programs for young adults by offering instructions in academics, trades and life skills through innovative methods that respond to the unique individual and group needs of today’s youth.

Story written by Carin Meyer, BCL. Photos by Carin Meyer, BCL.