News
MIOSHA Grant Funds State-of-the-Art Equipment for GVSU Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Students and Industry Professionals
May 01, 2021
Students in the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Management program at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) now have access to a new, state-of-the-art training device thanks to support from a grant through the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The confined space, fall protection, and lockout training system now housed in the Innovation Design Center on the GVSU Pew Grand Rapids Campus is a one of a kind training device.
Experiential learning is a hallmark of the OSH program at GVSU, playing a critical role in preparing students for employment upon graduation. “This equipment is a game-changer in how we provide realistic practice experiences for our students before they graduate and encounter these situations in the real world,” said Derek McCormick, principal investigator on the MIOSHA grant and professor in the OSH program. “We will be able to practice confined space, fall protection, and lockout training to an extent that was not previously possible.” The timing of implementation for this equipment is excellent as demand for professionals with expertise in Occupational Safety & Health is growing across the state and throughout the U.S.
In addition to the creation of this new educational resource, the MIOSHA grant provides support for GVSU to offer 3 training sessions during the summer of 2021 to professionals in targeted industries including primary machine manufacturing, fabricated metal products manufacturing, and construction. “We’re excited to use this equipment to offer hands-on training courses for local industries as well,” said McCormick. “We intend to provide real-world training opportunities to both GVSU OSH students and the community. It creates a unique opportunity for industry professionals to practice skills that are difficult to safely replicate in the workplace.” For information on upcoming training opportunities, individuals should contact the GVSU Center for Adult and Continuing Studies at [email protected].