ABOUT US
Over 30 years of experience working for you!
We are a 30 year old company, specializing in Industrial Loss Prevention by means of Safety Inspection and Training of Employees in Workplace & Environmental Safety.
Areas of Expertise: Mechanical Engineering - Environmental Facility Auditor - Structural Engineering - Maritime Science - Environmental Engineering - Fire Fighting Services - Emergency Medical Services - Third Party Trainers - Environmental Affairs Director - Class ‘A’ Certified Driver - D.O.T. Compliance - Emergency Response Trainers - Chemistry - Hazardous Waste Transportation - Treatment & Disposal Expert - Director of Hazardous Waste - Transportation Fleet - NFPA Confined Space Competent Person - Corporate Safety & Environmental Affairs Director
John W. Furrh
Owner, Instructor
John’s constant objective is to improve the company’s performance and service to its clients. He analyzes and reviews everything that is going to get to the customer, to make sure it is right for them and their operation. John is our lead instructor.
He came from the chemical manufacturing industry and serviced hundreds of companies in the metal finishing industry. His service was provided to many of the New England General Electric Plants, weapons manufacturing, aerospace, and metal fabrication industries. He designed, manufactured, and installed chemical process and storage tanks and turn key systems for processing and chemical waste treatment.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry and coordinating OSHA and environmental compliance, he left the manufacturing industry to start a safety consultant company in 1989.
Gerry Audet
Instructor
Gerry started his career with the Department of Defense as a Rigger with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC). After an Industrial Accident left him unable to perform the duties of a Rigger he transitioned into Environmental, Health, and Safety where he spent the next 27 years conducting Environmental, Health, and Safety Audits and serving as the Program Manager for numerous programs on base, which included Hazardous Waste, PCB’s, Respiratory Protection, Confined Space and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In this capacity he was responsible for all aspects of these programs. He worked as the liaison between NUWC and the Naval Fire Department, as liaison he coordinated and was the lead on all Fire Safety, NFPA, and Fire Drills for NUWC. Gerry was part of a small group at NUWC that won the President’s Points of Light Award in 2001. He also has experience and knowledge with Aerial Lifts, Scissors Lifts, Forklift and Overhead and Mobile Cranes.
He was a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Instructor for 10 years where he taught classes and issued licenses for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He served as Lead Instructor for Harley Davidson’s Riding Academy.
Gerry joined us in May of 2023 and looks forward to working with and assisting our clients with all their Environmental, Health, and Safety concerns.
Charles Whitten
Instructor
Chuck started his career in the mining industry. He has worked in plant operations as well as safety instruction. He has experience operating various pieces of equipment, including Euclid vehicles, Bobcats, and multiple sizes of lifts. After many years at the same company, he transitioned into other businesses, focusing on the safety aspect such as ergonomics, daily inspections, and delivering training in assorted topics. Chuck has worked in the concrete industry as Quality/Safety Manager with Rinker Materials, a subsidiary of Quikrete® as well as a Warehouse Supervisor with Amazon. While there he updated and improved Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and incorporated new training materials for the required toolbox training sessions. Later, he was involved with preparing highways and roads for construction workers by setting up road closures and proper signage.
Chuck has worked in multiple states during these adventures, learning and teaching along the way. He has had multiple safety ideas copied and implemented across the United States.
Chuck is passionate about helping every worker get home safe at the end of the day. He joined John W. Furrh Associates in May 2025 and looks forward to assisting our clients with their Safety and Health goals and requirements.
Susan Courtney
Owner, Sales
Susan is a proud graduate of Johnson and Wales University with over 30 years' experience in the Hospitality industry. She has a strong customer service and health & safety background. As the sales associate, she is focused on managing the needs of each client on an individual basis.
Sue is currently working on getting her Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) credential to add to her other degrees and certifications.
Education and Certifications include: A.A.S Culinary Arts Degree, Johnson & Wales University; Certified BarCode National Restaurant Association, National Education Foundation; ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certified, National Restaurant Association; Allergen Certified HACCP Certified, National HACCP Alliance Certified; Holistic Health Coach, Institute of Integrative Nutrition; Person-Centered Dementia Care Certification, Alzheimer’s Association.
OSHA #511 Occupational & Safety & Health Standards for General Industry