At ISTC, we are proud to serve the industrial community as a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to delivering high-quality training and education. Our mission is centered on advancing safety, strengthening the workforce, and supporting industry through meaningful collaboration.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• New Services & Innovations
• Training Highlights
• Community Events
• Team Spotlights

We’re excited to share these updates as part of our continued commitment to supporting your team and building a safer, stronger industry.

A New Era for Contractor Safety Recognition in Southeast Texas

For the first time, ISTC and the Golden Triangle Business Roundtable (GTBR) are joining forces to create a unified Contractor Safety Awards Program, bringing together the strength of both organizations to elevate how safety excellence is recognized across Southeast Texas.

By aligning these programs, ISTC and GTBR are introducing a streamlined application process while continuing to uphold the high standards of excellence both organizations have championed for decades. The result is a stronger, more unified platform to recognize contractors who demonstrate outstanding safety culture, leadership, and field performance.

CSA Application Deadline Approaching!

Contractor Safety Award applications are due Monday, May 4th! Don’t miss your opportunity to recognize your company’s commitment to safety and excellence across our industry. View this year’s nominations, access the application, and submit everything online today!

Frontline Supervisors: Where Safety and Performance Meet

Mark your Calendar for our next Frontline Supervisor Classes

• Wednesday, May 13, 2026
• Wednesday, June 10, 2026
• Wednesday, July 18, 2026
• Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Safety Academy: Raising the Standard for Safety in the Field

The Southeast Texas Safety Academy powered by ISTC was created to prevent life-altering injuries and fatalities in high-risk environments.

Designed to enhance overall safety commitment and culture, the Safety Academy delivers instructor-led training built around the 12 Life-Saving Rules, a set of proven principles focused on preventing the most serious incidents in the field. This isn’t theoretical training. It’s practical, relevant, and rooted in the real-world hazards workers face every day.

Safety Academy is offered daily at both ISTC locations.

S2Verify: Fast, Accurate Screening Built for ISTC Workforces

ISTC members need workers cleared quickly, safely, and consistently, which is why S2Verify is now ISTC’s exclusive background screening vendor.

S2Verify provides:

• Lightning‑Fast Results: Most background checks return in 12–24 hours, helping crews get on‑site without delays.
• Professional Background Screening Association‑Accredited Accuracy: High‑quality, Fair Credit Reporting Act‑compliant screening that supports safer facilities and reduces risk.
• Effortless Integrations: Connects with 60+ Applicant Tracking System and Human Resource Information Systems to streamline contractor onboarding.
• Mobile‑Friendly for the Field: Candidates complete forms and authorizations from any device, anywhere.
• Full‑Scope Screening: Criminal checks, MVRs, verifications, sex‑offender searches, and more, all in one platform.
• Automated I‑9 & E‑Verify: Real‑time compliance tools that cut down on errors and liability.
• Scalable for Any Size Team: From small contractors to major operators, no contracts or minimums required.
• Continuous Monitoring: Ongoing alerts help maintain a safe, compliant workforce long after day one.

ISTC Expands Regional Capability with New

20,000-Square-Foot Badging Center

The Southeast Texas Safety Council (ISTC) is proud to announce the opening of its new 20,000-square-foot Badging Center, strategically located adjacent to its existing customer service and computer-based training facilities. This expansion marks a significant investment in improving efficiency, accessibility, and the overall customer experience for the region’s industrial workforce.

The new facility was designed to streamline high-volume badging operations while supporting the growing needs of Southeast Texas industry. It features six dedicated badging areas and 14 check-in stations, allowing for faster processing times and improved flow for customers and contractors. Whether individuals are arriving for training, credentialing, or site-specific requirements, the expanded layout ensures a more organized and efficient experience.

ISTC has strengthened its existing badging and credentialing processes by integrating advanced identity verification scanners across both its Beaumont and Baytown locations. This enhancement builds on current procedures, adding a deeper layer of security and operational integrity while maintaining the efficiency customers expect.

These systems, commonly used in high-security environments, elevate the traditional ID check by incorporating multiple layers of verification. When an ID is scanned, the system captures and analyzes the document using optical character recognition and barcode scanning to extract key details such as name, date of birth, and document number. For passports, it also reads the Machine Readable Zone, ensuring encoded data aligns with visible information.

ISTC is one of the safety councils nationwide delivering Safety Essentials. More than 100,000 training units of Safety Essentials have been delivered in 2026! That’s because more companies than ever are trusting Safety Essentials® to simplify orientations, strengthen safety culture, and get their teams on site faster. With nationwide reciprocity, we’re redefining workforce readiness.

The updated 2026 Safety Essentials Enhancer (SE-SAFER) has launched! This year’s Enhancer offers a fresh take on annual PSM compliance training, with topics guided by industry needs and feedback.

In 2026, SE-SAFER focuses on personal responsibility, hazard control, material handling, hazard prevention and response, and conservation and control.

ISTC + GTBR Celebrate Successful Spindletop Showdown!

ISTC and GTBR kicked off its joint safety awards with the Spindletop Showdown BBQ Cook‑Off. Nothing brings our industrial community together quite like a BBQ throwdown, a day packed with smoky pits, nonstop tasting, and that “just one more bite” determination. From brisket that melts in your mouth, to ribs that require both hands and a napkin strategy. The competition kept everyone circling the tents for another sample.

And it wasn’t just about the food. The day was filled with cold drinks, good music, and a Kids Zone buzzing with games, laughter, and sugar‑fueled energy. Whether you were judging, tasting, cheering on your team, or just enjoying the atmosphere, it was the kind of event where everyone left full, happy, and already talking about next year.

Congratulations to Our 2026 Winners!

Overall Awards

• Reserve Grand Champion: Contractor Service & Fabrication, Inc.
• Grand Champion: Echo Group
• People’s Choice: Cheniere Energy, Inc.

Jackpot

• Donald Boumans Special: Indorama Ventures: Indovinya – Port Neches Operations
• BBQ Sauce: Nance Sheet Metal

Chicken

• 3rd Place: Motiva Enterprises LLC
• 2nd Place: ARLANXEO Orange Site & Echo Group
• 1st Place: Indorama Ventures: Indovinya – Port Neches Operation

Pork Ribs

• 3rd Place: ARLANXEO Orange Site
• 2nd Place: Contractor Service & Fabrication
• 1st Place: Echo Group

Brisket

• 3rd Place: Contractor Service & Fabrication, Inc.
• 2nd Place: Q5 Wealth Management
• 1st Place: Cheniere Energy, Inc.

Proceeds from the initiative fund scholarships for female students, ensuring a lasting impact beyond the week’s events. With strong industry and community partnerships, Southeast Texas Women in Industry Week is expanding its mission to build a more inclusive, dynamic workforce.

Industrial Safety Training Council – Baytown recently hosted two impactful Safety Days for Brazosport Independent School District CTE students, offering a hands-on introduction to workplace safety and career opportunities in industry.

Across both days, students engaged in interactive learning experiences that brought safety to life, from understanding how to work in high-risk environments to practicing essential skills like properly donning a harness. Just as important, the students gained valuable insight into the wide range of career paths available in the region and the strong earning potential these opportunities can provide.

The events were made possible by the commitment of industry professionals who volunteered their time to share real-world experience, guidance, and perspective. Representatives from Grizzly Industrial Group, Inc., Milestone Project Services, Turner Industries, S&B, ONEOK, and Double E Engineering Sales, Inc. helped students better understand what it takes to succeed in the field while reinforcing the importance of safety in every role.

ISTC also extends its appreciation to the City of Baytown and Lee College for their continued partnership in bridging education and industry. Their support plays a key role in connecting students to meaningful, local career pathways.

Most notably, the students brought energy, curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn, clear signs that the future workforce is bright. These two Safety Days introduced students to industry expectations and demonstrated the power of collaboration in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals.

Events like these are a reminder that when industry invests in students, the impact reaches far beyond a single day.

Mike Harrison

Baytown Supervisor

We’re excited to welcome our new Baytown Supervisor, Mike Harrison, who brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision for growth to the team. With a focus on building a strong, cohesive staff, Mike is committed to supporting the continued success and expansion of the Baytown location.

Drawn to the organization by the opportunity to apply more than 35 years of leadership experience in the ship channel area, Mike steps into this role with both confidence and purpose. His background as an Operations Manager for a large industrial hygiene provider prepared him to manage complex operations across the Gulf Coast, working with a wide range of oil and gas clients, each with unique needs and expectations.

What sets his approach apart is perspective. Having previously been a client of ISTC and its partner safety councils, Mike understands firsthand what customers need and how to address challenges before they escalate. He also places a strong emphasis on mentorship, prioritizing the professional and personal growth of his team.

“I really want to bring more structure and organization to the team while also helping reenergize the team to be more productive and engaged with clients,” said Mike.

Outside of work, his commitment to service continues. He and his wife actively volunteer and foster dogs from local Pasadena and Baytown animal shelters. When they have the opportunity, they enjoy camping and hiking through state and national parks.

A self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, “strong enough to fight back,” he’s also enjoying the local food scene, with Ari Ramin in Baytown currently topping his list.

Above all, he is grateful for the opportunity and grounded in a strong sense of purpose, sharing that, “I believe I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

Lets Connect!

Follow ISTC on LinkedIn and Facebook – Join industry leaders, safety professionals, and business owners who rely on us for updates on safety training, compliance standards, and workforce development.