LAS VEGAS - The Women in HVACR (WHVACR) organization hosted a special break-out session titled “Become an HVAC Champion.” Speaker Sharon McGee began her presentation by asking the attendees what OSHA stood for. Everyone in the room mumbled, “Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” But McGee said she wanted them to think instead of OSHA as “One Sweet Helpful Agency.” She continued to explain, “OSHA is a friend but it has taken a bad rap due to enforcement.”

As McGee pointed out, the reason OSHA exists is that “we keep killing people on the jobsite.” Instead of shying away from OSHA, she encouraged AHR Expo attendees to learn more about OSHA to become a champion for safety within their companies.

McGee repeatedly stressed OSHA’s focus on accountability and recordkeeping. She urged contractors to give employees short tests after every safety training to ensure employee accountability for the training. She also recommended that the tests be stored in an employee’s file for proper documentation of training. According to McGee, “Documentation is the key to stay out of the courthouse.”