Ismael Garcia, team member since 1997
Ismael Garcia has spent nearly three decades shaping workplace safety practices at OSTS, but his career didn’t begin in safety. Instead, it developed through a series of hands-on jobs that eventually brought him to the field.
From Hands-On Work to Workplace Safety
Before joining OSTS, Garcia worked in metal fabrication, making dies for punch presses used in stamping operations. From there, he shifted into healthcare as a phlebotomist, where he drew blood for laboratory testing.
“I was in a mobile unit, so I would go to people’s houses and draw their blood. That’s how I got into safety,” he said.
That experience—especially working around blood exposure and strict health protocols—helped steer him toward the safety field. It also helped lead him to OSTS, as he already had CPR training and knowledge of bloodborne pathogens.
Looking back, Garcia said that if he hadn’t ended up at OSTS, he likely would have pursued sales.
“I actually grew up in sales,” he said. “Since I was just a little kid, I was good at buying and selling everything that I could.”
Nearly Three Decades of Change in Workplace Safety
Over the course of his 28-year safety career, Garcia has seen a noticeable shift in how people approach risk on the job. In his view, workers today are much more aware of personal protection and the dangers associated with chemicals and equipment.
He has also noticed a broader change in the way workers think about their own safety.
“Most people are knowledgeable about the requirements and what they need to do, but I think they’re more conscious about their own personal safety,” he said. “That’s different than before. Before, people used to take chances and just do the work any way possible.”
Building a Strong Safety Training Team
Today, Garcia not only works in safety training, but also manages the OSTS safety trainers. He acknowledges that working with people can be challenging, but emphasizes the strength of his team and the standards OSTS sets for its training.
Garcia said OSTS trainers take a different approach from some trainers he has encountered in the field.
“I’ve seen a lot of people who do what we do. Other trainers out in the field take a lot of shortcuts. We don’t—like finishing classes too early, not doing the right thing for the client or the student, or not going through the entire class. We don’t do that.”
For Garcia, completing training thoroughly matters because workers need the knowledge and understanding to apply what they learn once they return to the job.
Why Quality Safety Training Matters
Garcia believes effective workplace safety training goes beyond simply completing a class. It should give employees a better understanding of workplace hazards and how to protect themselves while performing their jobs.
That responsibility doesn’t fall on workers alone. Employers also play an important role in reinforcing what employees learn through training.
The Employer’s Role in Safety Culture
Garcia stresses that employers play a major role in building and maintaining a strong workplace safety culture. Conducting job-specific safety assessments can help identify risks, improve processes and ensure workers understand how to apply safety principles in real-world situations.
For employers, investing in safety training also has practical benefits. Garcia said proper training can help reduce costs and prevent injuries, but one of the most important outcomes is making sure employees return home safely to their families each day.
Ultimately, he believes creating a safer workplace benefits everyone involved.
Garcia noted that OSTS trainers are completely different from those found at other occupational safety training companies.
“I’ve seen a lot of people who do what we do. Other trainers out in the field take a lot of shortcuts. We don’t—like finishing classes too early, not doing the right thing for the client or the student, or not going through the entire class. We don’t do that.”
For him, the reason is simple: completing training fully matters. It’s about giving workers the knowledge they need to stay safe and confident on the job.
He also stresses that employers play a major role in reinforcing safety culture. Conducting job-specific safety assessments, he says, helps identify risks, improve processes, and ensure workers understand how to apply safety principles in real situations.
Garcia mentioned that employers need to understand there are several important reasons to provide workers with safety training: it reduces costs, prevents injuries, and ensures workers return home safely to their families each day—something he believes ultimately benefits everyone involved.
Have Questions About Workplace Safety Training?
Contact OSTS to learn more about training options, course availability, and how to prepare your team to recognize hazards, work safely, and respond confidently in the workplace.
