By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College is expanding professional development opportunities for commercial drivers with a new 18-hour training program that combines Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA 10) instruction with hazardous materials endorsement preparation.
Beginning July 1-2, STC’s Commercial Truck License Institute through the support of Continuing Professional Workforce Development will begin training for students that includes 10 hours of OSHA coursework and eight hours of Hazmat instruction, meant to provide them with the essential workplace safety knowledge and regulatory training required by employers across transportation, logistics and industrial sectors.
Classes will be offered on Wednesday and Thursdays throughout July and August with OSHA 10 instruction held in the morning and Hazmat training scheduled in the afternoons.
Commercial Truck License Institute Program Coordinator Daniel Salazar said both the OSHA 10 and Hazmat courses complement one another by emphasizing safety on and off the road.
Participants will learn about hazardous materials regulations, including the identification and transportation of flammable, explosive and inhalation-hazard materials, helping prepare drivers seeking a hazardous materials endorsement on the Commercial Driver License.
The training is open to current CDL holders and others interested in expanding their professional credentials.
“OSHA means safety. It teaches CPR, emergency response and how to take care of yourself and others in the workplace,” Salazar said. “The hazmat portion focuses on the safe handling of hazardous materials, understanding placards and learning how to identify different types of dangerous goods. They go hand in hand.”
In addition to the new OSHA 10 and Hazmat offerings, STC’s CDL institute continues to provide its four-week, 160-hour CDL training program. Students complete classroom and online instruction before advancing to hands-on training that includes vehicle inspections, maneuvering exercises and on-road driving.
Upon successful completion, students test for their CDL and receive a certificate recognized by employers throughout the transportation industry.
“A lot of people think a CDL only means driving a semi-truck, but it opens the door to careers in public transportation, construction, utilities, delivery services and many other industries,” Salazar said. “I think students would be amazed at the opportunities that are available to them.”
For more information on STC’s CDL program or to see the schedule of upcoming OSHA 10 and Hazmat courses available this summer visit southtexascollege.edu/cpit/courses/career/CDL/.
Information source: STC
