Student Spotlight

With over 40 years in the safety discipline, Hutch Hutchens is no stranger to the field—but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to grow and refine his skills. Most recently, Hutchens completed OSHAcademy’s 132-hour OSH Professional Program and the 192-hour Construction Safety and Health Program, both of which he found valuable and relevant—even with his extensive experience.

As a Safety Advisor for CORE Safety Group at NASA Langley’s Flight Dynamics Research Facility in Hampton, Virginia, Hutchens operates in a high-stakes environment where safety is essential to innovation. His work demands deep knowledge and fast, confident decision-making—skills OSHAcademy helped sharpen.

He was particularly impressed by the training’s structure. “The manner in which it is laid out, presented, and explained is refreshing. This training serves as a catalyst for igniting your self-confidence in real-world scenarios.”

Real-world application isn’t an occasional thing for Hutchens—it’s part of his daily routine. He notes that he draws on what he learned from OSHAcademy “practically every day.” The training has reinforced his existing knowledge while also increasing his preparedness. “There is more self-confidence, and with that infusion of confidence comes a greater capacity for decisive and appropriate responses in a much more timely fashion.”

Hutchens brings a personal philosophy to his work—what he calls the Doctrine of Stewardship. “With each responsibility we obtain—parenting, training, coaching, marriage—it is accompanied by an attendant level of accountability. Responsibility and accountability combine to form stewardship.”

OSHAcademy helped strengthen that mindset. “OSHAcademy reinforced the imperative for me to daily be mindful of my stewardship to my wife, my family, my subordinates, and each of those individuals who have reposed within me the trust to train them, set an example for them, and equip them with the knowledge and resources to keep them safe.”

Another core belief Hutchens holds is the power of consistency. “The more we do something, the greater our capacity to continue doing it expands… Conversely, the less often we do something, the more difficult it becomes to do it consistently.”

It’s a reminder, he says, to keep pushing forward. “If we aren't continually striving to expand upon these traits, they can atrophy, decay, and disappear.”

Whether leading teams at NASA or setting an example at home, Hutchens sees safety as more than a job. It’s a responsibility—and one he’s proud to keep growing into.

For Hutchens, OSHAcademy’s training is more than just a box to check—it’s an investment. “Taking the courses and incorporating them into your daily behaviors is an investment in yourself which will yield not only immediate, but long-term dividends.”