PJ Shelton: Love of People, Education and Safety Have Been Key Drivers in her Career |
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The phrase “a force of nature” is sometimes used to describe someone with an unlimited and seemingly unstoppable amount of energy or influence. Following a recent conversation with PJ Shelton, I can’t think of a better way to convey the impression I came away with after spending time with her. Even though we were conversing over the phone, it felt like PJ was right there in the room with me. Her energy, passion and dedication to helping others and to facilitating positive change through collaboration and communication came through loud and clear.
Petural 'PJ' Shelton, M.Ed., PhD, began what she calls her first career with FedEx, a company that trained their salespeople in all aspects of shipping and transportation, including safety. This grounding in safety provided a foundation of safety awareness and hazard prevention in the workplace that PJ has carried with her throughout her career. She spent 5 years at FedEx, then pursued her career in sales and training in global business trade and logistics, managing and directing sales teams for Emery Worldwide, Exel and Roadway (RPS).
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In 2011 PJ segued into her second career in education, becoming an adjunct professor in the Peralta Community College District. PJ was approached by the president of the College of Alameda at the time, who wanted to create a new career pathways program to help people transition into career opportunities in the supply chain field. PJ’s extensive experience in supply chain logistics made her the perfect choice to train adult learners in transition on the many aspects of supply chain, including the importance of safety awareness and hazard prevention.
PJ was subsequently appointed as the Deputy Sector Navigator of Global Trade & Logistics at Peralta Community College District, where she established industry partnerships with many Bay Area and Silicon Valley businesses. She helped identify industry priorities and facilitate alignment with the region’s education, workforce and economic development strategies, providing a platform to support K-12 schools and community colleges in creating additional career pathways programs.
PJ is currently providing classes through a dual enrollment program, which gives high school students an opportunity to take college courses for credit. Classes are practical and business oriented, and, as in her other programs, PJ weaves workplace safety into her curriculum. The City of Oakland has also recently established a role for PJ to support the city’s Equity Grant Programs by helping establish a pathway for formerly incarcerated and others adversely affected by the war on drugs to join the cannabis industry. Providing training to these potential employees not only creates job opportunities but also helps develop a pipeline of workers who can step into many areas of this expanding industry.
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"If I don’t know you, you’re just a friend I haven’t met yet."
-PJ Shelton
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PJ pursued her own higher education goals while working full time. She earned her Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Career Technical Education from Concordia University in 2014. In 2020 she earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Systems from Saybrook University. She has also recently expanded her occupational safety and health credentials by becoming an OSHA Outreach Trainer in General Industry, which authorizes her to teach OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour General Industry safety and health outreach classes.
PJ is passionate about education and is dedicated to helping people of all ages find new pathways to career opportunities. In addition to all her current roles, she is in the preliminary stages of establishing a nonprofit called Two Voices Plus, which will focus on forming educational opportunities for students from around the world.
PJ believes in the creative power of collaboration and loves working with people. As she said at the end of our conversation, "If I don’t know you, you’re just a friend I haven’t met yet." PJ Shelton is someone that everyone should have the opportunity to meet.
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We're back with more IN-PERSON classes in California and Nevada!
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This class covers the requirements for the safe construction and use of scaffolding using OSHA's Construction Scaffold Standard as a guide. Topics include types of scaffolds and hazards associated with scaffold design, assembly, disassembly and use.
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Learn to recognize, evaluate, prevent and abate safety and health hazards associated with confined space entry. This class features practice with permit entry classification and program evaluation.
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Learn industrial hygiene practices and related OSHA regulations and procedures. Topics include recognition, evaluation and control of chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic hazards.
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This class provides an introduction to basic accident investigation procedures and accident analysis techniques to help participants gain the basic skills to conduct an effective accident investigation.
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This course is designed for those who are interested in teaching OSHA's 10-hour and 30-hour construction safety and health outreach classes to employees and other interested groups. Prerequisites apply - learn more.
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Enjoy the convenience of virtual classes delivered via ZOOM!
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This 1-day class is designed to assist employers in identifying and fulfilling their responsibilities for maintaining and posting records of illnesses and injuries and reporting specific cases to OSHA.
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This course covers Federal OSHA policies, procedures and standards, and general industry safety and health principles and is the prerequisite to OSHA #501. See full course description
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Developed in partnership with Cal/OSHA, this course emphasizes Title 8 construction industry standards and compliance. It provides existing Fed OSHA Outreach Trainers an endorsement authorizing them to teach 10- and 30-Hour Cal/OSHA outreach courses.
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This course covers OSHA Electrical standards and the hazards associated with electrical installations and equipment. Topics include single- and three-phase systems, cord- and plug-connected and fixed equipment, grounding and safety-related work practices.
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Physical distancing and safety guidelines followed, and class sizes are reduced. Proof of vaccination status is required in Pleasanton. Read Full Course Policy
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In Region IX OSHA numbered Virtual, Instructor-Led classes offered via Zoom are only available to participants located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Call 866-936-6742 if you are unsure if this applies to you.
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May is National Electrical Safety Month |
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To commemorate National Electrical Safety Month, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), a non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety, is conducting its annual campaign to educate key audiences about the steps that can be taken to reduce the occurrence of electrically related fires, fatalities, injuries and property loss. This year’s theme is Energy Resilience.
As part of Electrical Safety Month, we invite you to visit OSHA’s Electrical webpage, which offers extensive information on how workers might be in danger and how to avoid the most common hazards. Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution. OSHA has identified the following hazards as the most frequent causes of electrical injuries:
- Contact with Power Lines
- Lack of Ground-fault Protection
- Path to Ground Missing or Discontinuous
- Equipment Not Used in Manner Prescribed
- Improper Use of Extension and Flexible Cords
The OSHA Training Institute Education Center is offering OSHA #3095-Electrical Standards online via Zoom on June 27-30. OSHA #3095 covers OSHA Electrical Standards and the hazards associated with electrical installations and equipment. This class is recommended for facility managers and maintenance personnel, construction occupations working with electricity, electrical workers/utility companies, inspection personnel and safety professionals. Upon course completion participants will be able to understand the severity of electrical current on the body, recognize and evaluate actual and potential electrical hazards, determine hazard abatement measures and understand the proper use of electrical testing equipment. Learn more and register online.
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Building Safety Month is an international campaign that takes place in May to raise awareness about building safety. This campaign reinforces the need for the adoption of modern, regularly updated building codes, and helps individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures. Learn More
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Learn More About Upcoming OSHA Classes |
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5860 Owens Drive
3rd Floor
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: 866-936-6742
Fax: 925-460-0133
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For additional information, email us at otc@clpccd.org or call 866-936-6742.
The recommendations in this newsletter are advisory in nature, informational in content, and intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace.
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