In 2026, oil and gas workers will be able to receive free training from the West Virginia University Extension Safety and Health Extension thanks to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Susan Harwood Training grant.
The Susan Harwood Training grant has been awarded to WVU for more than 15 years and helps keep workers safe through annual classes that cover a variety of topics, like HandSAFE training, hazard recognition and lockout-tagout procedures.
Amanda Mason, assistant director for the NRC-WVU OSHA Training Institute Education Center, says this year’s safety training will focus on fall prevention and protection using real-world examples and hands-on activities.
Fall prevention is one of the most frequently cited OSHA violations, and as the oil and natural gas industry sees continued investment in West Virginia, Mason says it’s important to make sure new additions to the workforce know how to work safely.
“Anytime you have a growing industry, you might have newer companies, as well as newer employees who may or may not have the education and training they need to adequately protect themselves,” Mason said. “The more people there are, the more of a need there is for training.”
Mason also pointed out that, besides situational awareness on the job, having the proper safety equipment available is one of the main ways workers can keep themselves safe. However, knowing how to use safety gear correctly is just as important as having it in the first place, as incorrect use can reduce how effective it is at preventing a serious injury.
“Especially if you’re a new employee, you want to have a long career. You don’t want to go to work and suffer a debilitating injury in your first month that leaves you unable to continue your chosen career path,” Mason said. “It also helps you better advocate for yourself, and I think that’s something that all employees should be able to do. If you’re tasked with something that’s unsafe or without the proper equipment, you’ll know when to speak up and what to ask for.”
You can register for the Fall Prevention and Protection for Oil and Gas Workers class by contacting Tiffany Rice, director of the NRC-WVU OSHA Training Institute Education Center, at Tiffany.Rice@mail.wvu.edu. Companies can also schedule a class for up to 40 employees at a time.
The Fall Prevention and Protection for Oil and Gas Workers class is just one of many types of workforce training available. WVU Safety and Health offers trainings and programs to help individuals lead safe, prosperous lives – including more than 40 OSHA courses covering everything from basic workplace safety to specialized safety trainings, as well as health care continuing education opportunities through the Shirley M. Kimble Training Center.
To learn more about WVU Extension Safety and Health, visit https://extension.wvu.edu/community-business-safety/safety-health.
If you want to learn more about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
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sg/05/05/26
CONTACT: Sam Gorski
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WVU Division for Land-Grant Engagement
sbg0004@mail.wvu.edu