Seventeen years ago, a college internship opened the door for Diana Hernandez at OSTS. “Destiny kind of puts its ways with you,” she reflected. Her initial experience at OSTS involved assisting with respiratory fit testing, while she aspired to become a registered nurse. When the opportunity arose at OSTS for a safety trainer position, Diana’s teacher encouraged her to apply. Despite her initial hesitation due to shyness, she eventually embraced the role and was hired.
“Once you start to get the hang of the information you’re giving and once you’re out there, it just becomes natural,” she explained. Teaching CPR is one of Diana’s favorite aspects of her job, as it involves engaging participants interactively in emergency response procedures. “I think one of the reasons I enjoy CPR and First Aid is because that’s what I wanted to get into.”
Becoming a safety trainer has also had a profound impact on Diana’s personal life. Naturally shy, she discovered that teaching allows her to transform into a more extroverted version of herself. “I feel like a different person when I’m teaching,” she admitted. “The acting comes out, and I’ve noticed that I’m much more of an extrovert now.”
Diana is one of only two female safety instructors at OSTS, and she often teaches predominantly male groups. “I always notice they are respectful to me,” she observed. Unlike some of her male colleagues who face rowdy classes, Diana has never encountered disrespect. “I don’t know if it’s just my personality or because I’m a woman, but I’ve never had a situation where someone was disrespectful.”
In this male-dominated industry, Diana ensures she has a thorough understanding of all the topics she teaches. “I make sure I know exactly what I’m talking about,” she emphasized. She understands that employees might test her knowledge, and it’s crucial to avoid giving vague answers. “If you give them a fake answer, they’re just like, ‘okay, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.’”
Diana hopes that employers view safety as more than just a tick-box exercise. “Employers need to set the standard for their employees, ensuring that a culture of safety becomes ingrained not only in the workforce but within the leadership as well,” she emphasized.
Ultimately, Diana believes that the knowledge she imparts can significantly impact employees’ appreciation for safety. “This way, they can go to work, stay safe, and return home with all their fingers and toes intact,” she remarked.
