Annual Safety School 2024

Annual Safety School coming in 2024.

Date: April 16th from 8 am to 4 pm

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Shawn Bergman

Schedule for the day:

8:00 – 8:30 Registration, Continental Breakfast; Vendor Visitation, Opening Comments

8:30 – 9:30 OSHA-Andy Sterlen-OSHA updates and documentation updates

9:30 – 9:40 Door prizes

9:45 – 11:15 Dr. Bergman- Misunderstanding and Misinformation: Why is it happening and what you can to do about it.

11:30-11:45 Spillover Q&A-Door Prizes/Vendor Visits

11:45 – 12:15 Lunch /Vendor Visits

12:20-1:20 Michael Callaway – Worker Health

1:20-1:30 Door prizes

1:30 – 2:30- Caleb Hull – Benefits of an Emergency Response Team

2:30-3:30 Kelly Ransdell NFPA-Lithium Battery Safety

3:30 – 4:00– Door prizes and Closing Comments

We have some wonderful Vendors in attendance this year:

Ansell – Gloves and industrial supplies & equipment.

Brady Corp – Known for their labels, tapes, and communication needs

Masterlock – For your security needs.

Safgard – For your footwear needs.

Safety Bio – Information

In organizations, misinformation can include rumors regarding company policies and practices, incidents that occurred in the workplace, or managerial decisions. Because of this, HR and HSE professionals may find themselves in a position where they need to correct misinformation or offer others guidance on how to handle it. Unfortunately, we can often unintentionally reinforce or even spread misinformation and make the situation worse while trying to correct it. Given the importance of HSE decisions that need to be made, everyone needs to learn how to open conversations with people who deny, ignore, or outright reject the information we are providing. The session will explore reasons people discount (willfully or unwillingly) facts that conflict with their opinions and provide tools that can be used to correct misinformation effectively.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand what misinformation is and why it is critical to learn how to address it.
  • Learn how appreciating where misinformation comes from can help better to combat it.
  • Acquire tactics to have productive and informative conversations to curtail the impact that misinformation has at the workplace.

Shawn Bergman is the co-founder and Research Director at the Vela Institute, a non-profit organization that employs analytics and provides training to help organizations increase capacity. He is also the Kulynych/Cline Distinguished Professor of Psychology and HR Science Research Team founder and director at Appalachian State University. Shawn’s work reflects his dedication to use science, psychology, data, and technology to solve complex problems in the face of ambiguity, help individuals make positive changes, and improve peoples’ lives. He has worked with over 50 different clients in a variety of sectors in the public and private sectors. Shawn received a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and has published 45 academic articles, co-authored over 125 professional and technical reports, and given over 100 keynote addresses, invited talks, workshops, and conference presentations. Shawn has been widely recognized for his energetic and engaging style and has received numerous awards and recognitions including being a member of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers and Academy of Outstanding Graduate Mentors, receiving multiple Psi Chi Excellence in Teaching Awards, and earning the Appalachian’s Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching and Distinguished Graduate Faculty awards.

Michael Callaway – Speaker 

Mike Callaway is a seasoned safety professional with 20 years of experience in the field. Mike has a unique background, having started his career as a professional athlete and firefighter before transitioning into the safety industry. These experiences have given him a unique perspective on safety, allowing him to understand the importance of proper training, preparation, and attention to detail. He has worked with a variety of organizations, to help them create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment. When he is not working, Mike can be found tending his fruit trees, growing vegetables, woodworking and serving as a volunteer firefighter/EMT.

WISE Mentoring Program

The WISE Mentoring program successfully connects today’s most talented and experienced women mentors with rising and aspiring mentees. This pairing is designed to encourage and empower mentees to more effectively advance their careers through alignment with identified business objective, skill development, career option consideration, and network formation. All discussions are strictly confidential between the two parties. If you are an SH&E practitioner seeking to chart a successful career path or a seasoned pro eager to share experiences and insight, please visit the ASSP WISE website for more information.

Professional Safety Journal

Each peer-reviewed issue of Professional Safety offers practical guidance, techniques and solutions to help occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals identify hazards, protect people, prevent injuries, improve work environments and educate management that investing in safety is a sound business strategy. Annual subscription is included with your membership.