Lessons in Job Safety

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Building Futures students are learning fast that when it comes to construction, “safety comes first.” The Community Services Agency’s program features 10 hours of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) classes run by Sheet Metal Workers Local 100’s certified OSHA instructor Gerhard Klusmann, with the support of Local 100 staffer Ann Braham. This week the students also had the opportunity to meet Local 100 Training Center’s Director, Norbert Klusmann (Gerhard’s brother), who emphasized the importance of safety and responsibility in construction careers. “It is not hard to join an apprenticeship program, the hard thing is to hang on to it for five years and build a reputation for yourself,” Klusmann told the class as he led them through the safety workshop. “You have learned about safety and health with Gerhard, now be aware that the life you save may be your own”. - photo: instructors and staff with students at Local 100; report/photo by CSA’s Sylvia Casaro Dietert