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Day 2 - September 20, 2023

Reserve your spot today!

7:30 - 8:15AM          Registration, Exhibitors & Breakfast Open

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8:15 - 9:15 AM         .Morning Sessions III

OSHA Updates for the Manufacturing Industry

   Elizabeth Morales, Compliance Assistant Specialist from the Kansas City Area OSHA Office, will share regulatory and compliance updates that impact the manufacturing industry. 

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Elizabeth Morales, MS - Compliance Assistant Specialist, OSHA

Mrs. Morales earned a M.S. Environmental Sciences, with a minor in Occupational Health and Safety from the University of Puerto Rico. She has more than 20 years of experience working with OSHA. During her federal service, she has held different positions such as, Regional VPP Recertification Manager, Kansas City Area Office as an Assistant Area Director, and now she is the Compliance Assistance Specialist in the Kansas City Area Office. Mrs. Morales is an active member of the Region VII- Construction Suicide Prevention Task Force, and the National Heat Illness Prevention Task Force. Mrs. Morales is the OSHA Representative of the Greater Kansas City Field Federal Safety and Health Council, where she provides training, technical guidance, and information to more than 20,000 federal workers within the Kansas City Metro Area. As a result of her leadership, for the last three consecutive years received this council received the “Superior Performance Award from the Secretary of Labor”, which is one of the highest national awards from the Secretary of Labor.

Understanding the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act

   Section 5A1 of the OSH Act known as the "General Duty Clause", and often referred to as the catch-all standard, is frequently misunderstood in what it provides, when it can be used, and when it can't.  In this session Todd Sieleman, former Assistant Director of the Kansas City Area OSHA Office, will explain how it works and what it means to you.

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Todd Sieleman - Owner, Todd Safety Consultation

Todd Sieleman is owner of Todd Safety Consultation LLC, providing advice and direction to business owners on all things OSHA. In 2016, Todd retired from OSHA as Assistant Director of the Kansas City Area Office. Prior to OSHA, his 30-year federal career included safety program management for the U.S. Postal Service, impacting hundreds of post offices and over 11,000 employees, and the U.S. Air Force as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for the 442 Fighter Wing Safety Office, Whiteman AFB, MO. He retired in 2012 as a Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) after 20 years of service.

Industrial Hygiene: The Path to Protecting Worker Health

(special session from 8:15 - 9:30AM)

   Industrial hygiene (IH) is most often associated with the collection of samples— air, noise, surface contamination, etc. But quantitative evaluation (sampling) is just one part of the larger IH process that exists to reduce the risk of occupational illness. This presentation offers a high-level overview of the IH path to protecting worker health along with insights into some of the practical measures that manufacturers can implement on their own.

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Dylan Romo, CIH, CSP, ARM, CRP - Senior Consultant, John A. Jurgiel & Assoc.

With 31 years of experience in the field of industrial hygiene, Dylan has developed specializations in multiple areas of occupational safety, including oil and gas, power generation, chemicals, manufacturing, and construction. His experience also includes considerable expertise in the commercial insurance arena where his role as VP of Loss Control with a major insurance agency included identifying risk factors and developing customized mitigation strategies aimed at reducing the overall cost of risk related to all lines of property and casualty insurance. These days, Dylan uses his wide range of experience to serve the varied client base of Jurgiel & Associate as a private consultant.

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James Browning - Senior Safety Consultant, Insperity

With more than 25 years in safety, loss prevention, and environmental protection, James has extensive experience in both general industry and construction, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and accident and injury prevention. His background includes port security in the United States Coast Guard, plant protection and safety for a Fortune 100 company, and EHS management for a tank trailer manufacturer serving the chemical, food, and petroleum bulk transport industries. James is an OSHA outreach trainer for general and commercial industries. He currently serves Insperity clients as a senior safety consultant.

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9:45 - 10:45 AM      .Morning Sessions IV

Confined Space: Issues & Clarification of OSHA Confined Space Rescue

   In a matter of minutes, an emergency in a confined space can result in serious injury or worse, a fatality. And studies show that 60% of confined space fatalities are “would be” rescuers - employees who become victims when their emotions takeover without thought of the hazards they may confront trying to rescue their co-worker.

   In this presentation, we will discuss confined space rescue, the issues employers face when rescue personnel are not properly trained or equipped, and the importance of having an onsite in-house trained rescue team or third-party industrial rescue team, or combination of both, rather than relying on the local fire department.

   Attendees will learn:

  1. How to evaluate and select confined space rescue personnel, in-house and/or third party.

  2. What training and equipment is required to develop a higher performance rescue team.

  3. Issues with contractors and how to verify they are confined space and confined space rescue trained.

  4. Why you should reconsider using Call 911 as your only confined space rescue plan.

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Chris Koester - Safety Instructor & Consultant/Owner, Priority One Safe-T, LLC

Chris Koester is the owner of Priority One Safe-T, LLC, an emergency response safety training and rescue services firm for industrial and manufacturing companies. Chris has over 25 years of experience as a rescuer and is an internationally recognized expert in confined space entry and rescue. In addition to providing standby services and emergency response planning & consulting to his industrial clients, Chris and his team of active and retired firefighters conduct Confined Space Entry and Rescue, Hazmat Technician, Rope Rescue, Tower Rescue, Wind Turbine Rescue, globally. They provide instructor-led classroom courses and hands-on technical training at the six-story Rescue Training Center located in Pryor, OK and at customer sites for employers from across the world. Priority One Safe-T,LLC is a Petzl Technical Partner and considered one of the premier rescue companies in North America.

Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance Strategies

   Compliance is about much more than simply reading and rotely following regulations on a surficial level.  This session will go deeper and offer strategies for looking at EHS regulatory requirements in a different light.

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Julie O'Keefe - Partner, Armstrong Teasdale

Julie O’Keefe’s niche practice spans both environmental and occupational safety and health, which sets her apart from other lawyers, who typically handle one or the other, but rarely both. Governmental agencies she routinely deals with include, among others, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and state counterparts, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state counterparts. She has represented businesses in regulatory matters in virtually every state in the U.S. For non-governmental transactional matters, Julie’s regulatory experience allows her to understand environmental risks and eliminate non-issues. For businesses, Julie is the face of the company when dealing with the EPA, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois EPA and other state environmental agencies in matters involving laws such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), Clean Air Act, FIFRA, California Proposition 65, Clean Water Act and the negotiation and performance of remedial investigation/feasibility studies and engineering evaluation/cost analyses. She advises clients in matters involving site assessments, remediation activities, compliance violations, contracts and due diligence during sale or acquisition of real estate, asset sales and stock sales. She also handles CERCLA cost recovery actions and California Proposition 65 actions. As an OSHA practitioner, Julie counsels companies in willful, serious and repeat citations and criminal investigations. Julie has tried many OSHA cases at the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and state administrative tribunals.

Injury Prevention & the Aging Industrial Athlete

   There is a growing number of aging workers in industrial settings and it is important to keep them protected while on the job. These "industrial athletes" face additional challenges compared to younger workers, such as musculo-skeletal issues and reduced flexibility. In this session, Brandon Hetzler will explore these challenges and provide insights into effective injury prevention strategies. Attendees will gain valuable insight into ergonomic solutions, exercise approaches, and health interventions, all aimed at fostering the well-being and longevity of senior industrial workers.

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Brandon Hetzler, MS, ATC - Clinical Coordinator, Mercy Occupational Therapy

Brandon is a certified athletic trainer at Mercy Health Systems in Springfield, Missouri and currently holds the position of Clinical Coordinator for Sports Medicine. This role embodies a collaborative approach focused on the complete care of pediatric/adolescent/aging athletes as well as the general public. Prior to this role, Bandon served seven years as Manager of the Sports Medicine department, where he led both the clinical therapy and sports performance teams. Notably, the entirely ATC-staffed facility managed 16,000 combined rehab patients and performance athletes in 2019 and generated $2 Million in net revenue. Educationally, Brandon earned a bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from Missouri State University and a master's degree in Human Performance from Oklahoma State University. His post-education journey led to a Fellowship at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, where he immersed himself into combat athletes and the Olympic Weightlifting team. Brandon's influence extends to academia as well, where he played a key role in designing the Missouri State University’s Master of Athletic Training Degree and continues to teach multiple courses within it. His professional path includes diverse roles, from an Oklahoma high school to a national-chain fitness center, a Video analysis Software Company, Senior Instructor for StrongFirst, and Instructor for Functional Movement Systems. In 2019, he realized his vision with the founding of Outlaw Movement Systems, LLC—an educational hub for the movement/healthcare sector. Brandon's commitment to excellence is demonstrated by his numerous additional certifications and advanced credentials in fitness and sports medicine.

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10:55 - 11:55 AM      .Morning Sessions V

What to do About OSHA! How to Prepare for an OSHA Visit and What to do to be OSHA-Compliant

   In this session, attendees will learn essential strategies for handling an OSHA visit and ensuring compliance. Explore effective preparation techniques and gain valuable insights into OSHA's requirements, allowing your organization to maintain a safe and compliant working environment. Don't miss this opportunity to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate OSHA regulations confidently.

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Russell Hinds - President/CEO, Mid-America Safety & Environmental

Since 2019, Russell Hinds has been Mid-America Safety & Environmental’s President and CEO. Russ brings an experienced management perspective to our operations, leading our development of safety programs for businesses of all sizes and industries. With over 250 active clients across 25 states, safety management and OSHA compliance are his areas of expertise. His experience with large group training and teamwork enhancement techniques allow him to build better programs to support your business. In his spare time, Russell enjoys golfing and travelling with his wife. Russell holds the following Training Certificates and Professional Qualifications: American Traffic Safety Services Association Flagger Trainer, Asbestos Worker Trainer, Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer for General Industry/Construction, Certified State of Missouri Safety Consultant, EPA Lead Renovator Trainer, HAZWOPER Trainer, Lead Abatement Trainer, State of Arkansas Approved Professional Safety Source, National Safety Council Distracted Driving Instructor, and National Safety Council First Aid/CPR Instructor. Russell is also an active member in the following organizations: Abou Ben Adhem Shrine, American Society of Safety Professionals, Gate of the Temple Lodge #422, and North American Safety Professionals. He also served as a former Board Member of the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch and currently holds a position on the Governing Board of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Building Up Safety by Building Your Brand

   What are three things people know to call you for? If you can't answer that question, this session is for you! Self-awareness is a superpower, and communicating with the workforce in consistent, quick, high impact bursts allows you to establish and build your presence as a trusted, smart, and credible safety advisor.

   This session will focus on identification of your professional brand and how to take that brand on the "road" in the workplace to create a psychologically safe environment that promotes problem solving within diverse teams. 

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Abby Ferri - Chief Safety Officer, Insurate

Abby Ferri, CSP, ARM provides risk management solutions for multiple industries, including manufacturing, construction, real estate, hospitality, education, and health care. She is the Vice Chair of the ASSP/ISEA Z590.6 Technical Report Committee on Guidance for the Fit and Selection of Personal Protective Equipment and Apparel Available for Women. At Insurate, Abby is part of a team of innovators reshaping insurance around the people it's supposed to protect. Drawing on proprietary data modeling, Insurate has recalibrated risk and rate for workers' comp premiums based on a company’s true safety profile, not industry perceptions. Abby is the Past-President of the Northwest Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), and Past-Administrator of the Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) common interest group of the ASSP. She's the 2022 recipient of the ASSP Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) award; 2021 recipient of several ASSP community SPY awards; and the 2019 recipient of the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) Distinguished Service Award. She is a frequent conference speaker, podcast guest, and is the author of The Safety Habit and The Safety Consultant Toolkit books available on Amazon Kindle.

Regulatory Updates and Highlights from Environmental

Compliance Audits

In her presentation titled “Regulatory Updates and Highlights from Environmental Compliance Audits”, Ms. Tia Jeter, P.E. of SCS Engineers will provide an overview of recent regulatory updates related to air, waste, water, and other environmental regulations.  She will also discuss the benefits of third party or self-performed multi-media compliance audits. Tia will expand on the type of information evaluated during multi-media compliance audits, discuss the typical audit process/schedule, provide an example of an audit deliverable, and discuss tips and tricks learned from more than a dozen recent audits completed at industrial facilities throughout the Unites States. 

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Tia Jeter, PE - Senior Project Manager, SCS Engineers

Tia Jeter, PE, is a Senior Project Manager with over 25 years of chemical and environmental engineering experience. Her expertise lies in her experiences providing high-level air quality compliance and permitting strategy and troubleshooting, as well as landfill gas system performance evaluation and design. Tia has a demonstrated depth of technical expertise with ambient air dispersion modeling analysis, New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) compliance, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) applicability and analysis, air planning and permitting, environmental auditing and reporting, landfill gas control system planning, and environmental compliance. Ms. Jeter is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa.

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Noon - 1:30 PM      .Lunch Keynote

3 Ways to Shape Your Safety Culture

   Based off his best-selling industrial safety book "Safety Walk, Safety Talk: How Small Changes in what you THINK, SAY, and DO shape your safety culture", David Galloway will share 3 ways leaders can shape their safety culture.

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David Galloway - Owner, Continuous MILE Consulting | Author, Safety WALK, Safety TALK

With over 39 years of industry experience, David Galloway's leadership roles have spanned Operations, Research, Product Development, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, and Strategy. Notably, he directed a Lean Six Sigma effort that generated $400 million in savings for a $2 billion manufacturer and led a safety initiative resulting in a remarkable 60% reduction in injuries over four years within an industrial organization of over 5000 employees. As a renowned Keynote Speaker, Master Facilitator, and Master Black Belt, David's contributions to safety include creating the Pocket Guide for a Safety ConversationTM and the Safety Conversation Guide PRO application. He is also a bestselling author of the book "Safety WALK, Safety TALK," and the Founder & President of Continuous MILE Consulting, focused on elevating safety standards. Beyond his professional pursuits, David enjoys international travel and is a published author in the Frontier Traveler series of books, reflecting his adventurous spirit and literary talents.

1:45 PM      .CONFERENCE ENDS

Agenda, conference session topics and speakers subject to change.

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