At Research Alloys, we believe in investing in our team and helping our employees achieve excellence in their roles. From safety, health and wellness to metals identification and even customer service– our training programs aim to give our staff the knowledge they need to do their jobs safely and well.
Our dedicated trainer, Jeff Zaeske, joined the Research Alloys team in 2024, bringing with him over twenty years of experience in coaching and college instruction. He has designed a comprehensive training program, one which provides practical information to new hires and seasoned employees alike. “It’s important that the team never stops learning and improving,” says Jeff. “It’s always good to review and know any new techniques and technologies.”
Training begins on day one for new employees, who learn everything from the importance of personal protective equipment to the known hazards of the jobsite. After learning safety basics and getting geared up in the necessary garb (gloves, protective eyewear, steel-toed boots, high-vis clothing and ear protection), new hires embark on a two-week long course to learn the basics of scrap metal. They learn how to easily identify different metals, how to properly utilize our XRF testing guns to discern various alloys, and how to work safely and efficiently in a rigorous environment.
But training doesn’t just stop there. Jeff leads monthly safety meetings for the entire Research Alloys team, covering a variety of topics from OSHA-prescribed health and safety to the intricacies of handling difficult customers. June was Respiratory Health Awareness Month here, and Jeff lead the team through explanations of various respiratory hazards in the scrap metals industry as well as demonstrations of various types of respiratory PPE made available to our employees. Also in June, all employees took a course in customer service basics where they learned all about dealing with problem customers, ensuring pleasant transactions for all of our visitors, and when to involve management to help in sticky situations.
Earlier this year, Jeff completed the OSHA Safety 30 Hour Safety course, which provides comprehensive training on workplace safety and health hazards for supervisors and workers with safety responsibilities. The course covers a wide range of topics, including hazard recognition, OSHA regulations, and best practices for preventing accidents. “It really made me aware of all the intricacies that go into keeping everyone safe in the workplace, says Jeff, adding that “I’m very excited to bring this knowledge back and put it into practice in our facility.”
And we’re equally excited to see what Jeff has in store for our upcoming safety meeting next week– the topic is fire safety– and what’s ahead in the months and years to come.