General Workshops
Round 3
Wednesday, 9:00 am - 10:15 am

Front Line Supervisor: Safety's Friend or Foe
Eric Harper, CSP, CHMM
 
The front line supervisor is a vital cog in all successful safety programs.  Supervisors set the tone for safety and can either push safety efforts forward or derail them before they can even get started in his or her department.  Since they play such a critical role in employee safety, safety managers have a vested interest in developing positive, productive relationships with supervisors and helping to ensure a supervisor's success.  This workshop is designed to help safety professionals identify why supervisors fail to manage safety in their departments and how they can help front line supervisors ensure the overall success of his or her department through safety. 
 
Pain at Work: Worker Perceptions Matter, So Do You
Bethany Gardner, OTD, OTR/L
 
Recent studies estimate that over half of people globally regularly experience bodily pain on a weekly basis.  In the workplace, musculoskeletal injuries continue to be one of the most common occupational injury types.  Injury and pain are not, however, one in the same!  It might surprise you to know that the way pain really works is not widely understood and that a worker’s perception of threat is what dictates the intensity of their pain experience.  Many workers are not yet aware of just how much power they have over influencing their pain.
 
New developments in neuroscience and the biology of pain are showing us that tissues inform the brain of threat, not pain.  Pain is 100% produced by the brain based on the perception of threat.  This means that what a worker thinks and believes contributes to their pain experience and outcomes considerably.
 
This is great news for health and safety professionals, because we can positively influence what workers believe to address their common fears related to workplace injuries (fear of surgeries, injections, opioid use, work disability, and loss of income).  In this workshop, the speaker will provide actionable tips for how you can make a real impact on your workers’ lives and guide them toward better outcomes to keep them safe and healthy at work.
 
Super Heroes Guide for Direct to Primary Care
Jennie Morehead
 
Last year we discussed what a wellness program is.... this year let's kick it up a notch and talk about how you can earn the largest ROI for your company with a Direct to Primary Care service program.  But what is that you may ask?  Well... you are in for a treat!  In this workshop we will be discussing not only what a Direct to Primary Care service is, what it's main components are and how it is often the missing link that companies are struggling to find when it comes to battling the ever rising healthcare costs.  Want to become a Super Hero in battling out of control health care costs??  Want to learn how to rescue you, your fellow employees and your company from spending unnecessary health care dollars both personally and corporately?  Then fly, sprint, or just walk as a mere mortal to this workshop.  You won't go away empty handed.  P.S. Super Hero status not required to attend. 
 
Tobacco Effects on Society and the Workplace
Lucy Mays, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
 
Tobacco abuse is the number one cause of preventable death in the USA.  Nicotine abuse (smoking, vaping, oral forms) causes not only mortality but morbidity as well. Tobacco abuse is a direct cause of pulmonary diseases (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer), heart disease, stroke, and others.  Tobacco abuse also makes other underlying health issues such as asthma more difficult to manage and can result in increased cost to society including health care costs and missed work.  Workplace strategies regarding tobacco use can have a positive impact on employee health as well as increase customer satisfaction.  Smoking cessation strategies can also be made available to employees to promote both short and long term positive health outcomes.
 
Traumatic Hand Injuries in the Workplace
Tyler Henson, OTR/L, CHT
 
Workplace injuries are unfortunate but do happen.  While many workplace injuries are cumulative trauma or minor injuries, there are the few that experience traumatic injury.  Many of these injuries involve the upper extremity and require sometimes complicated and extensive surgery.  The question many employers and employees often ask is "when can I/he/she get back to work?"  The answer to that question is quite complex and is best addressed through a team approach consisting of the employee, employer, safety personnel, company medical staff, surgeons and therapists.  This presentation will guide through the therapy process of traumatic hand injuries in the work place from initial injury through return to work and the importance of all members involved in the rehab process.