Rescue Talk™
Bringing OSHA’s Special Government Employee Training to Baton Rouge
We’re excited to announce that Roco Rescue is partnering with OSHA to host a Special Government Employee (SGE) Training Course at the Roco Rescue Training Center in Baton Rouge.
These courses are typically scheduled around regional and national VPPPA Conferences, that’s why we’re thrilled to bring one to Baton Rouge, an area with one of the highest concentrations of Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) sites in the country.
What Is a Special Government Employee?
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, SGEs are volunteers from VPP worksites who partner with OSHA to evaluate other facilities. During VPP evaluations, SGEs work alongside OSHA, offering their expertise and learning from the practices of other industries at the same time. SGEs also participate in evaluation review and have opportunities to perform VPP outreach activities at events and conferences. As an added bonus, you might see a facility using an innovative fall protection system you didn’t even know existed, or finally learn how another plant solved a problem you’ve been wrestling with for years. The program is built on sharing best practices, and that kind of knowledge exchange is powerful.
For the safety professional, serving as an SGE is also an investment in personal and professional growth. You get hands-on experience using OSHA’s evaluation process and build relationships with peers who are facing the same challenges you are. You return to your organization with new ideas and practical solutions, and your company benefits from insights that can improve safety systems and culture.
Why Hosting the Course Locally Matters
OSHA typically schedules these courses around major conferences, which is why hosting one in Baton Rouge is such a big deal. The Gulf Coast region is home to a large number of VPP STAR Worksites and other safety-focused companies. Offering the course locally makes it easier for professionals in our community to participate without the cost and logistics associated with traveling to out of state conferences.
We see this as more than just providing space. It’s about helping the Baton Rouge area grow its network of SGEs, supporting VPP sites with easier access to training, and creating stronger connections between safety professionals. The more qualified SGEs we have in the region, the stronger our collective approach to workplace safety becomes.
Who’s Eligible and How to Register
Not everyone can attend this course. To be eligible, you need to be a US Citizen, be employed at a VPP Worksite for at least two (2) years and have management support for your participation. Safety and Health professionals must also have two (2) or more years of experience in the safety and health field and have more that 50% of daily duties dedicated to safety/heath activities on the worksite. Process Safety Management (PSM) specialists have additional requirements.
Click here for detailed requirements
Applying involves two steps. First, you must apply to OSHA’s SGE Program to demonstrate your qualifications. Once you’re approved, you can register for the Baton Rouge course. Space is limited, and because this training isn’t offered often, it’s worth acting quickly if you’re interested. Full details and application forms are available on OSHA’s SGE Program page.
Come Join us this September!
We’re proud to partner with OSHA and honored to host this rare opportunity at the Roco Rescue Training Center. Supporting safety professionals and helping organizations protect their people is at the heart of what we do.
If you’ve been thinking about becoming an SGE, this is the time to do it. You won’t have to travel across the country, and you’ll be part of something that raises the standard of safety in our own backyard.
