Enhancing Workplace Safety: Effective Case Management and Medical Treatment for Work-Related Injuries"  This panel presentation will explore innovative strategies and best practices for improving workplace safety through effective case management. It will focus on reducing injury rates and ensuring that employees receive the correct medical treatment for work-related injuries. The discussion will highlight the importance of a daily review of incidents process and a proactive approach to tracking injuries to closure. Attendees will gain insights into these proactive measures that can lead to better health outcomes and a safer work environment for all employees.

Key Takeaways: 

• Innovative Strategies for Case Management: Attendees will learn about the latest strategies and best practices in case management that can help reduce injury rates and improve overall workplace safety.  
• Importance of Correct Medical Treatment: The presentation will emphasize the significance of ensuring that employees receive the appropriate medical treatment for work-related injuries, leading to better health outcomes.  
• Daily Review of Incidents Process: Participants will gain insights into the benefits of implementing a daily review of incidents process, which helps in identifying and addressing potential safety issues promptly.  
• Proactive Approach to Tracking Injuries: The discussion will highlight the importance of a proactive approach to tracking injuries from occurrence to closure, ensuring that all cases are managed effectively and efficiently.
•  Improved Health Outcomes and Safer Work Environment: By adopting these proactive measures, attendees will understand how to create a safer work environment and achieve better health outcomes for their employees.

Becoming a safety leader is a rewarding and impactful career choice, centered on ensuring the well-being of employees across various industries. To excel in this role, one needs to understand the workforce they are working with. This involves recognizing the diverse backgrounds, skill levels, and experiences of employees, which can significantly influence their perception of safety practices. Engaging with workers at all levels helps build rapport and trust, essential for fostering a safety culture.  A key skill for safety leaders is the ability to adjust communication styles based on the audience. For craft personnel, who may be more hands-on and practical, safety instructions should be straightforward, using relatable language and examples that resonate with their daily tasks. Visual aids, demonstrations, and interactive training sessions can enhance understanding and retention of safety protocols. Conversely, when addressing executives or board members, the approach must shift to include data-driven insights, risk assessments, and financial implications of safety initiatives. Safety leaders need to be able to present clear, concise reports that highlight the importance of safety investments, regulatory compliance, and the potential cost savings from reducing accidents and injuries. This duality in communication ensures that safety messages are effectively conveyed and embraced across the organization. Moreover, staying updated on safety regulations, industry standards, and emerging trends is crucial for safety leaders. Continuous education and training enable them to adapt their strategies and maintain a proactive approach to workplace safety. Ultimately, being a successful safety leader means being an adaptable communicator, a trusted advisor, and a passionate advocate for the well-being of all employees. By understanding the workforce and tailoring conversations accordingly, safety leaders can create a safer, more productive work environment.

Key Takeaways: 

• Learn how to better understand your workforce.
• Learn how to building and foster trust in a culture focused on safety.
• Discover ways to better know your audiences prior to engaging in conversations around EHS.

This thought-provoking presentation, based on extensive experience, the body of knowledge on organizational learning, and both presenters' graduate MBA/OSH research will explore how often well-intentioned safety programs and leadership practices can unknowingly create cultures of fear that keep true, deeply seated problems hidden within an organization. Too often, there exist common threads with these hidden problems which ultimately manifest as serious injuries and fatalities. Participants will learn that problem finding and problem solving are two different skill sets that safety leaders must master, and that the traditional view of finding problems in safety (i.e., JHAs) has significant limitations. Problem finding involves identifying systems and leadership approaches that prevent true, continuous learning for safety. Common causes of information filtering as well as identifying communication gatekeepers in an organization will be focal points in identifying causes of fear. This session will also explore how organizations can balance the legal implications that arise when it engages in true, deep, safety learning. Ultimately, this session is about creating and improving safety systems as well as leadership approaches that serve as the foundation of a learning-centered safety culture.

Key Takeaways: 

• Identify safety system and leadership practices that promote fear and hinder open communication;
• Understand how problems remain hidden within organizations through information gatekeepers and information filtering;
• Systematically balance legal risks associated with open, honest communication about risks in an organization.

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This critical session is led by a seasoned OSHA lawyer with over 30 years of experience, having represented clients in more than 225 fatality cases. Crafted for in-house safety professionals—corporate safety executives, directors, and field or site safety personnel—this session delivers practical, proven strategies to avoid or minimize OSHA citations while safeguarding workplace safety and the bottom line. Attendees will discover how to proactively prepare for OSHA inspections, implement immediate abatement to address hazards swiftly, and conduct the opening conference and walkaround to control the inspection’s scope. Our expert will outline how to prepare employees and managers for interviews, ensuring confident, compliant responses, and how to manage document and information requests with precision. These skills empower safety professionals to defend their organizations effectively. With insights from over 225 fatality cases, our speaker will share real-world examples and negotiation tactics to reduce penalties and resolve disputes efficiently, turning inspections into victories rather than setbacks. Whether you’re shaping corporate safety policies or enforcing field compliance, you’ll gain actionable strategies tailored to your role. Safety executives, directors, and site personnel will leave with the confidence and a clear plan to develop and execute an OSHA inspection protocol and defense plan specific to their company.

Key Takeaways: 

• Understand what OSHA can and cannot do during an inspection
• Understand how to confidently assert the employer's rights during an inspection
• Learn how to develop an effective OSHA inspection protocol and defense strategy

In today’s competitive and fast-paced operational environments, it is crucial to integrate safety as a core component of organizational success. This presentation will explore how to effectively use safety data metrics to not only highlight the importance of safety but also drive higher engagement and buy-in from operational teams. From incident rates to near-misses to injury frequencies to compliance checks, there is no shortage of data and information available to safety professionals. But the data itself is only part of the story. It’s how you use the raw figures to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and calculate impact that provides concrete evidence for safety’s return on investment. Beyond dollars and cents, learn how safety data can be used to show the potential—and very possible—ways to make workplaces safer and more profitable, such as reduced downtime, fewer work disruptions and lower costs. Most importantly, you’ll gain practical and actionable ideas for how you can make your workplace safer while also making workers feel engaged, respected and valued.

Key Takeaways: 

• Learn how to connect the dots between safety performance and business performance.
• Develop tools, such as dashboards, that visualize and track safe and unsafe actions with outcomes and costs. 
• Build a culture of accountability through safety goal-setting and improvement efforts to create employee buy-in. 
• Establish feedback loops to build trust, overcome obstacles and foster continuous improvement.

Attendees will gain insight on key OSHA compliance issues that can lead to fewer citations issued after inspections, citations getting withdrawn at an OHSA informal, and how to successfully challenge OSHA citations before administrative law judges. The presentation will discuss how documenting safety efforts can pay dividends at each stage of the process with OSHA. For example, proving safety efforts and discipline records are key to the affirmative defense of employee misconduct. Likewise, maintaining proper documentation can minimize risk exposure for OSHA required safety measures, such as a personal protective equipment (PPE) assessment, lockout/tagout (LOTO) periodic inspection, and training (e.g., forklift certifications). Attendees will also learn what documentation is required versus what documentation is useful to litigating OSHA citations.

Key Takeaways:

• Identify which OSHA regulations require documentation.
• Connect compliance efforts with few to no violations during OSHA inspections as well as positive litigation outcomes.
• Learn how to balance business needs with documentation needs to reduce potential costs and liabilities.

Improving conditions in a manufacturing facility is a never-ending endeavor…… as it should be! Continuous improvement, through small, incremental reductions of risk is the key.  I will present a technique called “The CIRCLE Method” that will: 1)    Ensure this continuous improvement by a programmed quantity each year. 2)    Greatly Increase frontline supervisor engagement. 3)    Transform the relationship between EHS and Operations into a collaborative one. 4)    Provide perhaps the best leading indicator of your safety program. 5)    Allow your EHS department to become more strategic and less reactive. 6)    Provide “Living” risk assessments that do more than gather dust on a shelf. 7)    Narrow the gap between “Work as imagined” and “Work as done”. That’s a LOT of promises!  Come and see if I can deliver!

Key Takeaways: 

• Attendees will leave this talk with a roadmap for how they can put their companies on a path of continuous improvement of conditions in their facilities or worksites.
• Attendees in leadership roles will discover a new way for them to “get in the game” when it comes to truly leading their company's safety effort.
• All attendees will be shown a way to finally, fully engage the frontline supervisors in their organizations.

This year, the annual presentation of EHS Today’s America’s Safest Companies Awards will be combined with VPPPA’s Health & Safety Awards in a joint ceremony that will showcase the very “best of the best” in workplace health and safety. Following the awards presentations, a special reception will allow attendees to network with the winners as they celebrate safety excellence.

Safety is awareness and organizational safety campaigns help raise awareness, especially during critical times. Coca Cola Consolidated will do three separate campaigns in 2025, First 100 Days of Safety, Summer Safey Focus and Finish Strong and Safe. The First 100 Days of Safety is our biggest push, during this time we have companywide campaigns focused on our top serious and frequent trends from previous years: Fleet, Powered industrial truck and ergonomics. This campaign focuses on the safety team engaging the front-line leaders, Ergo boot camps, re engagement of defensive driving/risk avoidance fleet systems, limited scorecards for the first 100 days, wellness and critical care plans for those locations that did not meet goal during the previous year.

Key Takeaways: 

• Importance of awareness
• Organizational involvement from top down
• Get a good start to the year in safety performance

Creating a safe and healthy workforce isn’t merely a box to check; it’s the heartbeat of business success and a vital aspect of our social responsibility. Leaders prioritizing employee well-being and job satisfaction foster a thriving work environment. Regular face-to-face interactions, collaborative risk assessments, and dynamic, worker-focused training programs become standard, nurturing an atmosphere where everyone feels valued. Let’s be honest: while competitive salaries are essential for attracting and retaining top talent, opportunities for professional growth serve an equally pivotal role. These opportunities enhance employees’ skills and ignite their passion and motivation. Building a dynamic, inclusive culture that acknowledges and celebrates individual contributions can enhance morale and camaraderie, encouraging retention. But here’s the kicker: organizations must reconsider their approach to employees and safety. If workers feel voiceless and treated like numbers on a spreadsheet, even the highest wages won’t retain them. These talented individuals will gravitate toward companies that value their input and demonstrate that every voice matters. Companies prioritizing safety and health aren’t simply making a good choice; they’re making a strategic investment in their future. This commitment boosts productivity and long-term loyalty, establishing those organizations as industry and community leaders. By embracing these principles, we can cultivate a satisfied workforce that drives sustainable success and nurtures an environment where everyone can thrive.

Key Takeaways: 

• Positive Work Environment
• Beyond Competitive Salaries
• Shift in Attitude
• Accountability as Leaders

In 2018 Fastenal identified the high severity type of incidents in its business units and relaunched all programs. These included LOTO, Work at Heights, Powered Industrial Trucks, and Trailer Securement. This session will detail Fastenal's journey of implementation and success, focusing on the employee vs a regulatory standard. Attendees will learn how Fastenal made an impact on serious injuries, high severity financial claims, and regulatory impact incidents. As a result of its efforts, Fastenal was a winner of EHS Today's America's Safest Companies award in 2021.

Key Takeaways: 

• EHS success is not obtained by meeting minimum regulatory standards.
• Through the journey of Fastenal’s improvement, the presenters will share that the key to success is the focus on their employees.
• Fastenal's Big 4 programs are built on employee engagement.

Workforce retention is a key challenge in construction, where safety, efficiency, and engagement impact project success. Training and development help retain skilled workers, ensuring job satisfaction and long-term commitment. The Safe Start to Ownership Program (SSTOP) is Garney Construction’s structured onboarding and training initiative designed to ensure the safe integration of new employee-owners (EOs) into the company. Given that statistics show the highest risk of workplace incidents occurs within an employee’s first year, SSTOP provides a comprehensive 180-day training and mentorship program to reduce risks and build a strong safety culture. Key Features of SSTOP: Initial Training & Jobsite Orientation – Covers safety protocols, hazard awareness, and operational procedures. Mentorship Program – Assigns experienced employees as mentors to guide new hires through their first months. Progressive Training & Evaluations – Includes basic safety training, job-specific training, and task-specific hazard prevention to ensure EOs develop competency over time. Recognition & Career Development – New EOs receive milestone recognitions at 90 days, 180 days, and one year, reinforcing career progression and retention. The program underscores Garney Construction’s commitment to safety, professional growth, and workforce retention, ensuring new hires integrate seamlessly while maintaining high safety and operational standards. The Role of Training in Retention • Structured onboarding reduces turnover and enhances job performance. • Continuous learning builds competency and improves workplace safety. • Employees value development opportunities, increasing loyalty to the company. Impact on Employee Engagement & Safety • Well-trained workers have fewer accidents and greater confidence. • Reduced incidents lower company risk and improve efficiency. • Clear career paths through training boost motivation and retention.

Key Takeaways: 

• Safety training is essential for workforce retention in construction and other industries.
• Programs like SSTOP provide structured development, safety reinforcement, and career progression, fostering loyalty and reducing turnover.
• Investing in employee growth ensures long-term success.

In this session, based upon a survey of thousands of safety professionals conducted by SafetyNow and EHS Today, you'll learn about the most important trends in safety training, and what to expect in the years ahead as new training solutions and styles emerge in the safety arena. You'll also learn how to identify the tools and technologies you can use to reduce accidents and incidents, liability, and costs while improving retention rates and your safety culture.Find out how safety professionals are using technology to improve their safety training.

Key Takeaways: 

• Identify emerging tools and tips.
• Learn about the biggest safety training challenges that your peers are experiencing, and how they’re dealing with them.
• Learn how AI and other emerging technologies will play a role in workplace safety in the near future."

Mike Jones will speak on the difference between a Growth Mindset and a Fixed Mindset. In the safety arena, most are focused on what the “best practice” is for world-class safety. What Mike will have you focus on is creating the “next practice”. Quite often the true measure of success is not getting to an outcome, the true measurement is what you did to get to the outcome, the circumstances you overcame; how you persevered through tough situations. When you adopt the Growth Mindset, with the understanding that there is always room for improvement, you will benefit both professionally and personally.

Key Takaways: 

• Understanding the benefits of living outside of their comfort zone, which is the only place true growth occurs
• The difference between facts verses interpretations and how their truth is not necessarily THE truth,
• Understanding this concept helps with effective communication and building more positive relationships
• The difference between surviving verse thriving and how having a positive attitude will uncover more opportunities in their professional and personal lives.