OSCAsafe Safety Trainer Spotlight: Charlie Haaker
Meet OSCAsafe instructor Charlie Haaker, who brings decades of refinery experience and insight to every workplace safety class he instructs.
May 7, 2026
Meet OSCAsafe instructor Charlie Haaker. Learn how his refinery experience brings practical knowledge and insight to the workplace safety classes he instructs.
This is the seventh blog in the OSCAsafe by Tang+Company Trainer Spotlight series, where you can meet the talented instructors who are the driving force behind our training programs.
In our previous conversations, we met Gary Brashier, Jeffery Thomasson, Mayra Castellanos, plus more of our seasoned workforce safety instructors. In this edition, we’re excited to chat with Charlie Haaker.
Q1: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your role at OSCAsafe.
I’m Charlie Haaker, and I’m an OSCAsafe instructor at Torrance, California. I have been with OSCAsafe since 2017, after I retired from Chevron.
I love putting my experience to use teaching High-Hazard Facility (HHFT) classes in addition to refinery-specific safety training and important courses like Alkylation Safety.
Q2: What motivated you to choose OSCAsafe to pursue your training career?
I knew some of the instructors, like Bill Grove, and they had great things to say about teaching at OSCAsafe. They said I would enjoy the chance to teach safety, and I’m glad I gave it a try.
Q3: Can you share your industry experience and expertise that you bring to the classroom?
I spent 33 years at Chevron El Segundo, where I worked as an FCC Operator on numerous projects and served in elected leadership roles. Throughout my career, I gained firsthand experience across many facets of the refining industry. That real world perspective allows me to connect with students in a meaningful way and bring practical insight into the classroom. Students appreciate learning from an instructor who has truly worked in the field, and I’m able to share relevant tips and advice that make a real difference in their day to day work.
Q4: What is a valuable lesson you learned during your career?
There’s always something new to learn. The refinery industry is constantly evolving, and staying current is essential for workplace safety. I’ve seen firsthand how much things have changed since I started. That ongoing evolution is exactly why continuous learning matters.
Q5: Who is your safety hero or the person who influenced your ideas on workplace safety the most?
At Chevron, I had a Head Operator who always used real-life examples when he taught me to do a particular task or job. It could have been something as simple as, “Make sure you stand here when you open this valve because if something goes wrong, you need to give yourself a way to get out”. He always shared his experience with his crew and made sure they understood why things are done a certain way. That kind of knowledge and guidance makes you listen and elevates safety.
Q6: What do you find most rewarding about teaching safety?
I have the chance to help educate and share my experiences with others. The most important thing is to be a part of helping people go home safely after every shift.
I’ve been here long enough to see some of these students at the very beginning of their careers, and now I get to watch their growth as they come back for more training. It’s always nice when they take a moment to say hello and see how safety training has helped guide their careers.
Q7: If you could give one workplace safety tip, what would it be?
If you aren’t sure…ask! There are no bad questions.
Q8: Can you share an interesting fact about yourself?
I have coached baseball for over 30 years in El Segundo, CA, from Little League to High School. I have been fortunate to have had three teams go to the Babe Ruth World Series. We won the World Series once, came in 2nd once, and came in 3rd once.
Q9: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would go to Spain or Greece. I’ve never been to either country, and it would be a dream to see all the amazing places and history each has to offer. Experiencing their history, and maybe even more so, the food would be a great experience.
Q10: Do you have a personal motto that you live by? If so, what is it?
I don’t have to do things; I get to do them.
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