OSCAsafe Safety Trainer Spotlight: Curtis G. Martin
Meet OSCAsafe instructor Curtis G. Martin, an experienced Assistant Training Manager who brings decades of real-world experience to safety courses.
May 6, 2024
This is the second 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 conversation, we met Thomas Bjorman, our seasoned Assistant Training Manager at OSCAsafe.
In this edition, we’re excited to chat with Curtis G Martin, another one of our experienced OSCAsafe Assistant Training Managers.
Q1: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your role at OSCAsafe.
Hey everyone, my name is Curtis G Martin. For the past 8 years, I’ve been an Assistant Training Manager for OSCAsafe in Carson and Torrance, CA. During my time here, I have taught a range of classes including:
Foundational classes: NCCER, OSHA 10 & 30
Specialized course: Refinery Safety Overview (RSO), High-Hazard Facilities Training (HHFT), HAZWOPER, Confined Spaces, and more.
Q2: What motivated you to choose OSCAsafe to pursue your training career?
I joined OSCAsafe because of my strong passion for improving safety in the construction and refinery sectors and prioritizing the well-being of workers above everything else. OSCAsafe’s leadership in safety training and its unwavering commitment to enhancing industry safety standards align perfectly with my principles. I saw this as an opportunity to help cultivate a culture of safety awareness and share innovative training with like-minded professionals.
At OSCAsafe, I’m part of an amazing team dedicated to providing cutting-edge and comprehensive training to ensure safety within high-hazard facilities. My work is all about leading safety education efforts, impacting lives, and minimizing workplace accidents and injuries.
Q3: Can you share your industry experience and expertise that you bring to the classroom?
As someone who has worked as a safety instructor for many years, I have gained extensive experience in various industries such as refineries, oil fields, construction, and telecom.
Here are some of the many key responsibilities I’ve handled:
Developing and implementing safety training programs
Conducting regular safety inspections and audits
Providing safety orientation and onboarding
Investigating accidents and incidents
Maintaining safety records and documentation
I translate some of the same skills from my experience in the classroom, such as taking a proactive approach, utilizing my strong communication skills, and my commitment to continuously improving safety performance.
My practical background offers a unique perspective on managing safety risks and complying with industry regulations. I integrate this knowledge into my teaching to provide real-world relevance and prepare students for on-site challenges.
Q4: What is a valuable lesson you learned during your career?
A key lesson from my career is that true safety goes beyond protocols—it’s about building a culture where safety is critical to every action to protect both lives and operations. I strongly emphasize in training that accident prevention should always be the ultimate objective.
Q5: Who is your safety hero or the person who influenced your ideas on workplace safety the most?
When I think about the values that guide my work in workplace safety, one person stands out in my mind: Charlie Powers. I met Charlie in 2008 when I was working at the Chevron refinery, where he was an engineer. From the moment we met, he saw my potential as a trainer. He encouraged me to pursue my passion for safety training and provided invaluable feedback that helped me grow and develop my skills. Thanks to his mentorship and belief in proactive safety education, I’ve built a career that I’m truly proud of.
Q6: What do you find most rewarding about teaching safety?
For me, it is witnessing the positive impact on individuals’ safety awareness and behaviors. It’s fulfilling to know that I am contributing to creating safer workplaces and communities and that the knowledge I teach can prevent accidents and save lives.
Q7: If you could give one workplace safety tip, what would it be?
One workplace safety tip that has stuck with me is to always be aware of your surroundings. It may seem like a small thing, but this simple practice has prevented many accidents and injuries over the years. Recognizing potential hazards and taking immediate action to avoid them is how you keep yourself and others safe.
Q8: Can you share an interesting fact about yourself?
I’m incredibly passionate about safety training and have even won awards as an accomplished author. I have six published works to my name! I wrote four of them all by myself, and the other two were collaborative projects with other talented writers.
Q9: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere, I would journey to parts of Africa. Exploring where civilization began and experiencing the birthplace of humanity would be an unforgettable adventure.
Q10: Do you have a personal motto that you live by? If so, what is it?
A motto I live by is “Lead with integrity, empower through knowledge and understanding, and make safety non-negotiable.” I try to consistently live by this and strive to improve upon it.
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