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// Friday, October 27, 2023 
// 7:15 A.M. – 3:30 P.M. 
// Energy Education Center

Thanks for Everyone Who Joined Us for Safety Day 2023!

Safety Day is a hands-on conference where you will learn from area experts about a wide range of safety and health-related topics to help reduce worksite incidents, stay in compliance with OSHA standards, and build your organization's safety culture.

This event is designed for safety managers, human resource professionals, maintenance employees, front-line supervisors, and any employee interested in updating their safety skills and knowledge.

Whether you are new to your role or a seasoned employee, Safety Day provides current information on the most relevant safety topics in today's industry, excellent networking opportunities, as well as practical experience in applying standards and concepts.

Check back for details about the 2024 conference.

We'll let you know when registration opens again for next year's conference.

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2023 Event Highlights

 

Crisis and Business Continuity Management Training

A brand-new topic for Safety Day! In this session, you’ll learn how to stay one step ahead of potential risks and protect your organization.

 

Take Home Custom-Molded Ear Protection

Take home custom-molded ear protection from a licensed instrument specialist! Molded on site by and ready for you to take home ($30/pair – check, cash, and Venmo payments accepted).

 

Lithium-Ion Battery Training

A brand-new topic for Safety Day! This session will help you understand how hazards develop during lithium-ion battery incidents and how to mitigate the associated risks.

 

Lockout/Tagout Training

Receive hands-on practice in one of OSHA's top 10 most frequently cited standards.

 

2023 Safety Day Schedule

7:15 - 7:45 a.m.  |  Registration and Breakfast

7:45 - 8 a.m.  |  Welcome

 

8 - 8:45 a.m.  |  Keynote Speaker

Workforce Equity: Navigating Changes and Challenges

Presented By: John Harper, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
In a changing world, fear of saying the wrong thing or being misunderstood is a reality. By examining the different aspects of our communities and workspaces, the conversations become easier. The session will conclude with anonymous Q&A.

8:45 - 9:05 a.m.  |  Break

 

9:05 - 10:35 a.m.  |  Breakout Session #1

Managing Post-Incident Testing in the Real World

Presented By: Scott Gooch, MPAS, PA-C 
Worker impairment leads to higher rates of absenteeism, injury, property damage, lost productivity, plus legal and reputational risk to employers. While different factors can cause impairment, employers are responsible for assessing worker impairment to protect both worker safety and company operations. A component of this assessment may be post-incident testing. This session will discuss the post-incident alcohol and drug testing process with strategies and techniques to protect the employee and employer.

Unlocking the Potential of Lockout/Tagout

Presented By: Rich Stangl, CVTC Safety Trainer 
Control of Hazardous Energy continues to be on OSHA's Top 10 most frequently cited standards year after year. Proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices and procedures safeguard workers from these hazardous energy releases. This session covers the minimum performance standards of OSHA's 1910.147, addresses some FAQs, and allows for some hands-on practice.

Root Cause Analysis

Presented By: Matt Lind, CVTC Safety Trainer 
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a method for identifying and addressing the underlying causes of issues, prioritizing prevention and resolution over superficial fixes. It involves principles, techniques, and methodologies to uncover the root causes of events or trends, going beyond surface-level cause-and-effect relationships. This section covers three key concepts: discovering the root cause, addressing underlying issues, and applying insights gained from the RCA process.

Unraveling Employer Discrimination Cases

Presented By: Connie LeCleir-Meyer, CVTC Leadership & Organizational Development Trainer 
There are federal laws that make It illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigates charges of discrimination against employers who are covered by the law. In this session we will discuss and analyze case study situations involving employers who were in violation of these laws.

10:35 - 10:55 a.m.  |  Break

 

10:55 - 11:55 a.m.  |  Breakout Session #2

Sounding the Alarm: Action Levels for Gas Monitors

Presented By: John Loff-Peterson, CSP, CRSP, CMSP 
Using personal gas monitors in the workplace is a common practice to stay alert to what hazards may be present and then to advise employees to act when the hazard level reaches a determined point. The process for determining what those actions level should be for each hazardous agent has not always been thoroughly considered by OHS professionals. This session will discuss actual worksite scenarios that led one company to rethink its process of establishing action levels. It will also provide attendees with resources to help them and their company determine their action levels.

Smooth Sailing: Managing Construction in Your Facility

Presented By: Mark Hintz, Safety Director 
Construction can be exciting, but it can also disrupt your daily operations and introduce risks you might not expect. In this session, we will cover how to make the most of this process and help you ensure that when it happens in your backyard, you have information to help you manage the process smoothly.

Stop the Bleed

Presented By: DeWayne Hanson, CVTC Fire Services Instructor 
Launched in October 2015 by the White House, Stop the Bleed™ is a national awareness campaign and a call to action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency, becoming the beginning of the trauma care chain of survival. The Bleeding Control Basic course gives participants the tools to become empowered initial responders.

OSHA: What's on the Horizon

Presented By: Presented By: Mary Bauer, Compliance Assistance Specialist, OSHA + Mitzy Wright, Area OSHA Director 
What's new in the world of OSHA? This session will discuss the latest national and local emphasis programs, other areas of interest, proposed standards, and policy changes. It is also an opportunity to ask questions and learn how compliance officers get to sites and what happens after the inspection is completed. Compliance programs such as VPP (Voluntary Protection Program), Partnerships, and Alliance will be discussed.

11:55 a.m. - 1 p.m.  |  Lunch/Door Prizes

 

1 - 2 p.m.  |  Breakout Session #3

Lithium-Ion Batteries: Old Exposures for a New Reason

Presented By: Dr. Corey Cronrath, Dual Board-Certified Physician 
In this presentation, we will look at the production of Lithium-Ion batteries (LiB) from the cradle to the grave, explore some of the risks associated with mining and manufacturing, review OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits for different components, and review fire risks.

Talk the Talk: Embracing Multicultural Communication

Presented By: Holly Hassemer, CVTC Dean of Academic Development & Services 
Businesses in our region are increasingly employing non-native English speakers. Learn strategies and resources your workplace can use to bridge communication gaps and welcome immigrant workers into your company culture.

Creating Your Workplace Resiliency Toolkit

Presented By: Erica Christensen, CVTC Behavioral & Social Sciences Instructor 
Join this transformative session as we explore the power of resiliency in the workplace by combining the principles of ikigai, the Japanese concept of finding purpose, with positive psychology. Discover how to build a robust toolkit that empowers employees to thrive in the face of challenges, cultivate passion, and enhance overall well-being, leading to a more resilient and harmonious work environment.

Occupational Noise: An Unwanted Sound

Presented By: Bill Swanson 
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. In this session, we will discuss what factors contribute to hearing damage and how best to prevent hearing loss of employees at your facility.

2 - 2:20 p.m.  |  Break

 

2:20 - 3:20 p.m.  |  Breakout Session #4

Arc Flash Safety Essentials

Presented By: Jeremy Enger, CVTC Automation Engineering Technology Instructor 
Join our Basic Arc Flash course to gain valuable insights into the risks of arc flash and electrocution hazards, along with essential knowledge of using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintaining safe distances. This technician-focused training equips you with practical skills to perform electrical work safely and effectively.

Starting a Safety Committee

Presented By: Rich Stangl, CVTC Safety Trainer 
Everyone has great intentions when starting a safety committee, but many need help to sustain them. This session discusses the framework to strengthen your safety program through the development and facilitation of your safety committee and its members.

Crisis & Business Continuity Management

Presented By: Tyler Esh, Emergency Management Coordinator and Chris Straight, Senior Planner 
Representatives from Disaster Ready Chippewa Valley (DRCV) will explore the relationship between the private and public sectors during a crisis event, provide an overview of DRCV's business continuity planning model, and highlight some of the lessons learned by area organizations who have experienced a crisis in the past.  DRCV is a volunteer-supported, 501c3 organization championing the disaster preparedness of businesses and organizations in the Chippewa Valley through private-public partnering.

Introverted Leader? Extroverted Leader? What is the Best?

Presented By: Connie LeCleir-Meyer, CVTC Leadership & Organizational Development Trainer 
Introverts and extroverts present themselves differently, but which are the most influential leaders? This session will explore the differences, assumptions, pros, cons, and ways to adapt efficiently for each.

3:30 p.m.  |  Event Wrap-Up

 

 

Scott Gooch, MPAS, PA-C

Scott Gooch is a Physician Assistant (PA) in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) employed by Marshfield Clinic Health System's Occupational HealthWORKS in Eau Claire, WI, since 2020. He has been a PA for over 23 years, with the first 17 in emergency medicine and the past six in OEM. His previous position was the Medical Administrator for Medcor, operating an onsite medical clinic for the Fluor/Novo-Nordisk facility in Clayton, NC, over a 14 million person-hour project to build a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical factory to produce diabetes medications. Besides providing the onsite treatment of injuries and illnesses, he supervised the operation of the site's drug and alcohol testing program. In three years, he and his team conducted over 8,000 urine drug screens plus several hundred breath alcohol tests for pre-employment, random, annual, reasonable suspicion, and post-incident tests. He is strongly interested in community health and safety volunteering with Eau Claire County Emergency Management, the Northern Wisconsin All-Hazards Incident Management Team, and the Eau Claire.

 

Rich Stangl, CVTC Safety Trainer

Rich Stangl has over 16 years of occupational safety and fire/emergency services experience. Stangl spent nearly four years as the Safety Director at Global Finishing Solutions in Osseo, working extensively within the regulations of the general (29 CFR 1910) and construction industry (29 CFR 1926). He worked within the Army Corps of Engineers EM-385 regulations on various U.S. defense sites and managed fleet safety and driver qualification as applicable to the Department of Transportation Regulations (49 CFR). He has also coordinated all environmental activities relevant to the Wisconsin DNR and EPA Regulations.

 

Matt Lind, CVTC Safety Trainer

Matt Lind has experience creating and implementing company policies and procedures that meet government regulations and codes, including initial creation, updating, re-evaluating, pre-visit planning, post-visit action planning, and follow-up. Matt offers a background in the areas of chemical and hazardous material as well as Department of Transportation regulations for drivers and vehicles.

 

Connie LeCleir-Meyer, CVTC Leadership & Organizational Development Trainer

Connie is an experienced leader with over 35 years of experience in electronics manufacturing, legal, health insurance, healthcare, education, and training. She has held leadership positions in human resources, customer service, production management, corporate training, and project management. Her skills include soft skills training, public speaking, facilitation and coaching, project management, team building, leadership development, and learning management. She has a bachelor's degree in organizational management and communication and a master's in adult education and distance learning.

 

John Loff-Peterson, CSP, CRSP, CMSP

John is a Health and Safety Program Manager with Barr Engineering Co. based in Minneapolis, MN. John has a master's degree in risk control from the University of Wisconsin – Stout and has over 20 years of occupational health and safety experience in various industries, including chemical processing, industrial construction, worker's compensation, mining, and consulting.

 

Mark Hintz, Safety Director

Mark has been the Safety Director for Market & Johnson, Inc. for the past 24 years, serving the commercial, educational, healthcare, and industrial markets. Mark served as the Chairman of the AGC-WI safety committee for 17 years and has been an instructor and public speaker at numerous regional safety events over the years. Mark has a background in adult education and is known as a dynamic presenter. His passion for safety and several decades of experience keep the class energy higher than average.

 

DeWayne Hanson, CVTC Fire Services Instructor

DeWayne is an experienced Fire Services Instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). With a passion for saving lives and a commitment to empowering others with life-saving skills, DeWayne has dedicated his career to emergency services. His journey began at the renowned Chippewa Falls Fire and Emergency Services, where he honed his expertise and served the community with unwavering dedication.

 

Speaker, Credentials

Bio

 

Mary Bauer, Compliance Assistance Specialist

Mary Bauer is the Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS) in the Eau Claire area OSHA office. She has a bachelor's degree from UW-Eau Claire and holds CSP (Certified Safety Professional) and CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) certifications. She was a Compliance Officer in the Eau Claire area for 20 years and has been the CAS for 17 years. Mary provides general information about OSHA standards and compliance assistance resources. She responds to requests for help from various groups, including small businesses, trade associations, union locals, and community groups.

 

Mitzy Wright, Area OSHA Director

Ruth "Mitzy" Wright is the Area Director in the Eau Claire area OSHA office. She guides and mentors her staff, ensuring they understand expectations and holding them accountable for meeting the agency's mission. Mitzy has been with OSHA for over 15 years, beginning in 2007, when she was hired as a Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO). In 2014, Mitzy was promoted to Assistant Area Director. Before joining Federal OSHA, she was an Occupational Safety and Health Officer with the Minnesota State Plan. Mitzy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial/Business Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and a Master of Science in Risk Control Management, also from Stout.

 

Dr. Corey Cronrath, Dual Board-Certified Physician

Dr. Corey Cronrath is a dual board-certified physician in Occupational and Aerospace Medicine with a master's in public health and business administration. In addition, he is a Certified Physician Executive with the American Association of Physician Leaders. Dr. Cronrath has a strong passion for safety. He has served as an Aviation Safety Officer with the US Army, Marshfield Clinic Health System Incident Command System's Safety Officer. He is a board member of the Western Wisconsin Safety Council.

Today, Dr. Cronrath is the Service Line Medical Director of Occupational/Employee Health for Marshfield Clinic Health System, an integrated healthcare system in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with 11 hospitals, 1,400 providers, and 12,000 employees across 65 locations.

 

Holly Hassemer, CVTC Dean of Academic Development & Services

Holly Hassemer is the Dean of Academic Development & Services at Chippewa Valley Technical College. She oversees CVTC's English Language Learning program, which provides free English instruction for adults and is a former English language teacher.

 

Erica Christensen, CVTC Behavioral & Social Sciences Instructor

A graduate of Iowa State University in Ames, IA, studying Sociology, Erica Christensen worked as a Police Dispatcher for the University. After completing her undergraduate studies, she continued in emergency dispatching, which led to a discovered passion for law enforcement resiliency and crisis response. She completed her Master of Arts in Psychology from Adler University with a specialization in Military Psychology, which she utilizes as an active volunteer for the Minnesota Air National Guard, supporting families through deployments and reintegration for over seven years and is a trained resiliency educator through the Air Force providing mindfulness classes and diversity training for local units. Erica started with CVTC as an adjunct psychology instructor in January 2022 and accepted a full-time faculty position in January 2023.

 

Jeremy Enger, CVTC Automation Engineering Technology Instructor

Jeremy is an Electronics (AAS) graduate from Minnesota Southeast Tech College, boasting over 20 years of experience in the electronics maintenance field. Throughout his career, Jeremy has undertaken diverse roles, ranging from providing field service on office equipment to expertly conducting circuit board troubleshooting and repair in PCB manufacturing plants. Notably, he spent 12 successful years as a System's Technician at 3M in Menomonie before joining CVTC in March. At CVTC, Jeremy's expertise was focused on control systems, where he excelled in troubleshooting, optimization, and preventive maintenance. Not to mention, he actively contributed to technician training initiatives, nurturing the skillsets of aspiring professionals over the past couple of years.

 

Speaker, Credentials

Bio

 

Tyler Esh, Emergency Management Coordinator

Tyler Esh is the dedicated Eau Claire County Emergency Management Coordinator, leveraging a wealth of experience in emergency preparedness and adeptly handling both volunteer emergency and non-emergency scenarios with precision and compassion. With a steadfast commitment to community safety, Tyler remains an invaluable asset in ensuring the region's resilience and well-being.

 

Chris Straight, Senior Planner

Chris Straight, the Senior Planner at West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, is a seasoned professional in the field of disaster relief. With a wealth of expertise in coordinating and implementing effective disaster response strategies, his presentation promises to offer invaluable insights and solutions for building resilient communities.

 

John Harper, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

John Harper currently serves in the office of the president at South Central College as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and Master of Science in Educational Leadership and from Minnesota State University, Mankato. With a background in student affairs, John is the youngest member of his institution's executive leadership team and helps to oversees the Faribault campus location. He currently serves on several statewide committees, in addition to serving to as his college's co-title ix coordinator. His skills include strategic planning, policy development, talent recruitment, and equity examination. He currently in pursuit of his education doctorate from Morgan State University in Baltimore.

 

Bill Swanson

Bill Swanson brings over 30 years of manufacturing and industry expertise to CVTC. His journey has spanned various roles, from line production technician to management positions. Bill's most recent role was a 13-year career at 3M in Menomonie, WI, where he specialized in Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security.

Outside of work, Bill is a family man, married with two boys. They enjoy camping, ice fishing, and outdoor activities in Northwestern WI. And, of course, they're die-hard Green Bay Packers fans.

Maps & Parking

Where to Find Us

This event will be held at the CVTC Energy Education Center located in Eau Claire.

CVTC Energy Education Center
4000 Campus Road
Eau Claire, WI 54703

// Get Directions

 


Parking Information

All CVTC parking lots surrounding the Energy Education Center will be available for FREE parking during the event.

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