General Workshops
Round 2
Thursday, 10:30 am - 11:45 am

Creating Continuous Improvement for Safety
Craig Bengel, MS, CSP, CHST, ASHM
Mezzanine Room 231, second floor
 
Many organizations tend to overlook the imperative of continuous improvement, given the ever-evolving conditions and diverse work environments, and the idea of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  Nevertheless, a deliberate commitment of time and resources to a structured improvement roadmap can render the attainment of continuous improvement feasible and change the approach to “if it ain’t broke, improve it.”  This roadmap comprises key pillars:

  • Psychological Safety: Creating an environment that fosters psychological safety is foundational.
  • Organizational Clarity: Establishing clear organizational goals, roles, and responsibilities is paramount. Clarity in objectives ensures that all team members are aligned with the overarching vision.
  • People Development: Investing in the development of personnel is indispensable. Continuous improvement is inherently tied to the skills and adaptability of the workforce.  Training programs, skill enhancement initiatives, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
  • Process Building and Standardization: Building robust processes and standardizing procedures streamline operations. Identifying and implementing best practices, coupled with a commitment to standardized processes, not only enhances efficiency but also lays the groundwork for sustained improvements over time.
  • Sustainability: Involves monitoring and reinforcing positive changes, incorporating feedback loops, and adapting strategies as necessary.

Effective Planning and Preparedness for Disruptive Weather
David Oliver, PhD, CSP, CEM and Joshua Durkee, PhD
West D, third floor
 
Weather is the most frequent and often a major disruptor to our organizations, events, and daily routines.  Storms do not need to reach traditional severe limits to affect event success, cause extensive property damage, injuries, and even fatalities.
 
Part 1 of this double workshop will explore concepts of planning and preparedness, including risk identification and assessment, development of Emergency Operations and Incident Actions Plans, and organization of key stakeholders in an effective incident command structure that facilitates actions to minimize negative outcomes, respond to calls for assistance, and recover operations as soon as possible.
 
Part 2 will focus on various severe and sub-severe weather phenomena, how to properly source weather information and support, and highlight pitfalls of common weather technology.  Emphasis is placed on identifying credible sources for accurate, timely weather data including forecasts and real-time hyperlocal weather tracking as well as solutions for scalable weather support.

Lithium Battery Hazards and Emergencies
Mac Cann
West C, third floor
 
This workshop will provide an overview of the hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries and certain best practices on how to handle those hazards.   It will address battery basics, hazard mitigation, community awareness, as well as and some transport and disposal options
 
  • Learn Lithium-Ion Battery Hazard Awareness and Mitigation
  • Learn Air Monitoring and Site Cleanup for Battery Incidents

PSM / RMP Outlook
Bayless Kilgore, CIH, CSP
West A, third floor
 
OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard and EPA's Risk Management Program (RMP) have been in place since the early 1990s and have not had significant updates over the years.  However, recently both OSHA and EPA have either proposed or updated the regulatory requirements for facilities that are subject to their rules.  This presentation will outline the history and current outlook for OSHA's PSM standard and EPA's RMP and how it could affect your facility.
 
  • Review the history of OSHA's PSM standard and EPA's RMP rules.
  •  Summarize the proposed changes and/or recent updates to each standard. 
  • Discuss proposed changes that will have greatest effect on PSM and/or RMP covered facilities.
  •  Keys to success related to PSM and/or RMP.

Safety in the Transportation Cabinet
Tim Preston, Erica Russell, Jarrod Stanley
Mezzanine Room 230, second floor
 
This workshop will address some of the areas the Transportation Cabinet is working to create safer environments for Cabinet employees and roadway users.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention within Workplaces
Beck Whipple
West B, third floor
 
Today's workplaces must acknowledge the importance of suicide awareness and understand their role in prevention.  With mental health concerns on the rise, we must work together to foster an environment where employees feel support-seeking is safe and managers feel confident and competent to respond.  This workshop aims to equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to identify suicide warning signs, provide support, and access resources for those in need.  By addressing suicide in the workplace, we not only prioritize the well-being of our team members but also create a culture of empathy and understanding.  Join in taking proactive steps towards building healthier, more resilient workplaces.
 
  • Understand the importance of suicide awareness in today's workplaces.
  • Recognize the role of workplaces in suicide prevention. 
  • Identify suicide warning signs and provide appropriate support.