Participants listen to a presentation on fall protection equipment and training requirements.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The UA OSHA Training Institute Education Center housed within UA Safe State hosted the inaugural training session in the newly renovated Facility for Outreach, Research, Training, and Education (FORTE) building, marking a major milestone in its commitment to hands-on safety education. Formerly known as the Tuscaloosa Music Building, FORTE now features two state-of-the-art classrooms designed to enhance learning opportunities on campus and beyond.
Aligned with Safe State’s mission of increased safety, productivity and healthy work environments, the first class centered on fall protection, a critical aspect of workplace safety. Held May 12-14, the class taught students the true importance of fall protection safety.
The course was taught by Frank Wampol, a longtime friend of the University and Corporate Vice President of Safety and Health for BL Harbert. He is also the recipient of the William H. Weems Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors an individual who has contributed to and/or influenced the occupational safety and/or health field.
“Falls are the leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities year after year in the USA… Bottom line is to drive down the number of lives lost each year by equipping students to better protect themselves and their workplace from these preventable tragic events,” Wampol said.
The class integrated instruction with hands-on practical application of course concepts, including but not limited to the principles of fall protection, components and limitations of fall arrest systems, and OSHA standards and policies regarding fall protection.
Students participated in workshops demonstrating the inspection and use of fall protection equipment, training requirements, and developing a fall protection program. A highlight of the course was a hands-on demonstration by David Riddle using a 3M truck to simulate fall scenarios. The truck was brought into the large high-bay practical learning area, a space unlike any other on campus. The demonstration underscored the life-saving importance of proper fall protection equipment and training.
“I have been in the health and safety industry for 20 years, but it is nice to take classes like this every now and then to refresh your knowledge and skills,” said one of the students, Jeff McCurley, Environmental Health and Safety Manager for Pye-Barker Fire & Safety.
The long-anticipated renovation positions FORTE as a flagship training site for Safe State and the College of Engineering as a whole. With full recording capabilities and the potential for hybrid or remote learning, the new classrooms will allow Safe State to reach broader audiences than ever before.
The event showcased the collaborative effort of experts from across the state, all committed to advancing workplace safety. Safe State’s presence in FORTE reflects its role as a leader in practical, professional safety training in Alabama.
About UA Safe State
UA Safe State is The University of Alabama’s workplace health and safety consultation and training program. Through partnerships with industry, government and educational organizations, Safe State provides critical services designed to make Alabama’s workplaces safer and healthier.
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