The NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace is the ultimate “how to” guide for eliminating electrical hazards. The most recent industry update (2021) establishes safety policies, procedures, and controls to reduce the risk of shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast. These incidents can be prevented if you know the code!

Presented by John Dimos, MS, CIH

This session informs participants about how to identify and manage infectious disease hazards that are lurking on construction sites.  These hazards may be invisible, but are high-risk threats to worker health and safety.  Learn about OSHA standards and industry best practices for mitigation of on-the-job exposures.

Presented by John Newquist, Newquist Safety

Successful completion of the Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) examination requires in-depth knowledge and competency in protocols to prevent construction illness and injury.  This preparation course provides insight to the subject matter of the exam, as well as a study guide with practical tips to help achieve CHST certification.

Presented by Lucas Finley and Paula Kennedy (RUKCO) Dave Murphy (Pepper Construction) and Chris Wolf (Ben Hur Construction)

Safety leaders don’t need to have all the answers. Ask questions and listen to those who know best: fellow employees. They can have a meaningful impact developing, implementing, and sustaining the path forward for an organization. Learn how to utilize people as a source of reliable information that can lead to real opportunities for business improvement.

Presented by Nancy Mugavero, OSHA Region V

This presentation delivers valuable take-away information about the most essential parts of an effective safety and health management system.  Each building block provides the strength to sustain a culture that not only empowers employees, but also supports management by openly addressing safety concerns and implementing practical solutions.

Presented by Mark Lies and Adam Young, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

A new year of workplace challenges and governmental priorities are sure to impact employers and employees.  But how – and when?  Which enforcement initiatives will survive the present-day legal and political systems?  Current trends and future regulations will be discussed, along with guidance about how to manage an OSHA inspection.

Presented by Gavin West and Sara Brooks, The Center for Construction Research and Training

Nanomaterials, such as graphene and titanium dioxide, are commonplace in construction.  Although they add strength, durability, and other properties to familiar products (coatings, lubricants, concrete), they pose health risks to workers.  This session will present strategies for effective assessment of, and protection from, harmful exposures.

Presented by Shae Birkey, Caterpillar Safety Services

Employees make choices every day to work safely, or to not.  The most powerful influencer of their decisions is the jobsite supervisor – the person responsible for creating a workplace culture that inspires desired behavior.  This presentation provides evidence-based research about the four core skills that promote accountability, connectivity, and credibility in leaders.

Presented by Rob Siemens, Royal Arc

This session offers practical instruction about how to secure construction materials and equipment being transported between jobsites.  Over-the-road travel is governed by international standards intended to prevent displacement during transit.  This discussion of real-life case studies and industry best practices will provide immediate benefit to participants.

Presented by: Nick Hoffman (Colony Hardware), Tyler Zacker and Ryan Scibilia (Milwaukee Tool)

Safety starts at the top – of your head.  Employees desire equipment that is comfortable, stable, and lightweight.  These advantages are offered in several varieties by multiple manufacturers that strive to design products that workers want to wear.  Industry experts will present data that clearly demonstrates the importance of ear, head, and face protection.

Presented by Shawn Biery and Gene Keefe (Keefe, Campbell, Biery & Associates)

Although workers’ compensation claims have been complicated by the COVID pandemic, case law continues to evolve, requiring a fresh legal perspective.  New strategies are needed – now more than ever – to investigate and respond to allegations of work-related injuries.  Gain insight into managing claims more effectively while learning from the experience of others.

Presented by Jack Jackson, SafeStart

A primary responsibility of a safety leader is to engage employees in a constructive manner.  Storytelling is an effective means of dialogue that establishes leadership credibility, conveys lessons to be learned, and improves listener retention.  A good story that is well-constructed creates buy-in from co-workers and opens future avenues for two-way communication.

Presented by James Brock and David Serra, OSHA

This presentation will address the latest developments in OSHA training programs and resources that are available to the public.  Recent updates to the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center Program, Outreach Training Program, and Susan Harwood Training Grant Program have been adopted in response to the COVID pandemic.  Get the most up-to-date information here.

Presented by Keith Wheeler, HR Resources of the Carolinas, LLC

The health and well-being of employees not only impact their level of workplace engagement, but also their safety performance.  Indeed, wellness programs that address financial, mental, and social issues – both on and off the job – affect an employer’s ability to attract and retain key talent that will sustain success in the construction industry.

Presented by Jeffery Camplin, Environmental Services, Inc.

Construction sites oftentimes employ portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter devices, such as vacuums, scrubbers, and negative air machines, to reduce the presence of airborne hazardous material.  Participants in this session will learn about the new ANSI standard that governs the testing and use of this life-saving ventilating equipment.

Presented by David Sims, The Bill Sims Co.

Construction workers are characterized as outspoken, proud, independent, and transient.  Are they modern-day cowboys or a workforce that can be actively engaged?  This presentation will demonstrate the success of specific safety programs that use positive reinforcement and other communal strategies to reduce the frequency of workplace injuries and incidents.    

Presented by Wes Wheeler, National Electrical Contractors Association

What are the characteristics of a good safety leader and what are the traps and pitfalls in managing the safety others?  Knowledge, skills, and leadership are essential traits of an effective supervisor, as is the ability to motivate co-workers to do the right thing.  This session will review communication techniques and industry standards that provide the definitive answer. 

Presented by Babak Memarian, Sara Brooks and Jean Christophe Le (The Center for Construction Research and Training)

Research proves that pre-task planning and job hazard analysis (JHA) reduce occupational incidents and injuries.  Yet the construction industry lacks well-defined guidelines about how to properly design and deliver a JHA.  This session presents evidence-based solutions that will lead to the development of an effective operational risk management system.

Presented by Eric Hedman, City of Naperville

Traumatic on-the-job injuries can result in a large loss of blood.  The American College of Surgeons sponsors this session to support the recognition of severe situations and the delivery of immediate treatment.  Gain the skills and techniques required to save a life by packing a wound and applying a compression bandage or tourniquet.

Presented by OSHA Region V Area Office Staff

Learn a lot from those who have gone before you.  Attend this presentation of case studies of real-life experiences by federal officials.  Edwin S. Rearick, Jr. served as an OSHA compliance officer and staunch safety advocate for more than 20 years in the Calumet City, Illinois office.  This annual information exchange is dedicated to his memory.

Presented by Sargon Odisho, The Chicago Fix

A maintenance program for the human body is more important than any warranty for construction tools and equipment.  Attend this session to discover tips and exercises that can be implemented easily, and cost-effectively, to minimize the incidence of soft tissue injuries.  Even more, these simple practices will enhance job productivity and longevity.

Presented by Dennis Cotter, Smith Amundsen, LLC

You can see it and hear it overhead, but unmanned aircraft pose legal liabiities that are not so obvious.  This presentation highlights issues of importance to those who deploy drones on jobsites.  Discussion topics will include regulatory considerations, contractual matters, insurance concerns, user protocols, and third-party vendors.  There’s more to it than meets the eye.

Presented by: Roger Paveza (Vista Safety Consulting), Rajeev Khanna (CompCore Pro), Brent Haubenriser (SIA Insurance Group)

Despite the best-laid plans to mitigate risk, an insurance claim is inevitable.  Therefore, proper preparedness is an essential risk management strategy.  There are others, too, such as effective communication, use of technology, and minimizing the potential for fraud.  All of these will result in fewer surprises and more manageable solutions to what is foreseeable in the future.    

Presented by: OSHA Region V Area Office Staff

Learn a lot from those who have gone before you.  Attend this presentation of additional case studies of real-life experiences by federal officials.  Edwin S. Rearick, Jr. served as an OSHA compliance officer and staunch safety advocate for more than 20 years in the Calumet City, Illinois office.  This annual information exchange is dedicated to his memory.