Safety Training at Massachusetts Maritime Academy

by Meg Whynot-Young

Soon cadets will be crossing the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) campus in their “classroom blacks”, ready and eager to start the 2014-2015 academic year.

Freshmen, or “fourth class” as they are called at MMA, have a lot to look forward to in their first year at the college. The sea term is one of the most unique experiences cadets have at MMA. In January they will embark on the T.S. Kennedy and sail to warmer waters, and return to Buzzards Bay in February.  The sea term provides cadets with approximately eight weeks of hands on experience; living and working on what once was a troop ship for the US Navy.

Before they depart however, they will be participating in freshman safety training. United Alliance Services has partnered with MMA to provide this essential safety training that prepares them not only for their work on sea term, but for their careers post-graduation.

Some of the topics that are covered in the freshman safety training class are:

Personal Protective Equipment
Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Hand and power tools
Machine guarding
Electrical Safety
Lockout/tagout
OSHA General Industry Standard 29 CFR part 1910
Fall Protection
Confined Space Entry
HazComm, Hazardous Materials and Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures

Each topic is covered in depth and is geared towards the maritime industry. This training includes specific examples of hazards that cadets’ may encounter either in their education, while on sea term, or in the workforce.

United Alliance Services looks forward to being back on the MMA campus on September 8th!