Kirkwood Safety Conference

Kirkwood Safety Conference

Get Ready for the 2024 Kirkwood Safety Conference!

The Kirkwood Safety Conference is designed for all individuals involved in their company's safety programs who aim to refresh their safety perspectives and seek opportunities to learn something new. We also welcome newcomers to the safety profession and value their questions and insights. Safety conferences like this one offer an excellent platform to network with fellow safety professionals and stay updated on the latest safety measures and trends.

Throughout the day, you will participate in various engaging breakout sessions led by skilled presenters, explore diverse vendor offerings, and enjoy a delicious meal. We predict a rewarding and enriching experience for all participants!

Join us on Friday, March 22, 2024 in this engaging, one-day event.

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Date: March 22, 2024 (New date!)

Time: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Check in begins 7 a.m.)

Location: The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
7725 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Price: $189

 

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The Hotel at Kirkwood Center is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Kirkwood Blvd and 76th Avenue SW., just minutes from the Eastern Iowa Airport, Interstate 380, and U.S. Highway 30.

Interstate 380 northbound
Take exit 13, Eastern Iowa Airport/Ely.
At the stop light, turn right (east)
At the first stop sign, turn left at Kirkwood Blvd. SW (north).
The Hotel will be on your right.

Highway 30 eastbound
Take exit 253, Kirkwood Blvd. SW/Bowling St.
At the stop light, go left on Kirkwood Blvd. SW (south). 
Continue past the main and south entrances of Kirkwood's campus.
The Hotel will be on your left.

Find directions from your location or get a map of Kirkwood's Main Campus.

Conference Schedule

Arrive early to check-in and network before the conference begins.

 Welcome from Dr. Kristie Fisher, President, Kirkwood Community College

Enjoy a breakfast sponsored by CRANDIC Rail, a Travero Company.

Speaker: Ricky Rollins

Though December 30, 1995, may not have been his happiest day, Ricky considers it the luckiest day of his life. During his presentation, Ricky will share five life-changing stories that reflect this quote: "Every action we take, every choice we make, could have consequences that we might not want to have to live with." He came to realize that life's occurrences don't just impact us individually, but also impacts those who care about us deeply. Ricky is a masterful storyteller that will interact with the audience, ask for your participation, and keep you engaged the entire presentation.

Enjoy refreshments while exploring our vendor exhibits.

 

Breaking Free from Burnout – Recognizing Signs and Taking Action to Complete the Stress Response Cycle for Self and Others

Speaker: Lindsay Miles, LISW

Have you noticed signs that your team is moving toward burnout? When the reality hits that burnout is happening, you will need the knowledge to identify the signs and how to help yourself and your team members. This session intends to help participants gain the ability to differentiate between day-to-day stress and employee burnout in order to take action and mitigate the likelihood of burnout on themselves, their colleagues, and employees.


Safety Servants

Speaker: Auby Ninemire
Servant Leadership in safety can be very successful if we understand a few key elements.  What makes someone a servant leader, and what does the term servant really mean? In the safety profession, we tend to become challenged and sometimes overwhelmed with day-to-day activities, meeting our customer expectations, and leading our teams to be safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible. Auby will talk about how Vermeer Manufacturing has implemented servant leadership into their manufacturing facilities and how that has impacted his role as a Senior EHS Manager. He will share lessons learned from servant leadership and how that has affected his relationships with the teams that he supports.


“Safety” — One Mile at a Time

Speaker: Greg Stewart
Join Greg Stewart, retired transportation and logistics professional, for a lively, engaging and jam-packed discussion about the critical elements of a successful fleet safety program. Greg will share his thoughts about driver qualifications and hiring do’s and don’ts; the myths and facts of employee engagement and the driver shortage; and the cost of driver churn. He will also cover compliance, safety, and accountability so you can see how your company stacks up, including areas such as equipment maintenance, crash preparedness, and the rise in nuclear liability verdicts. 


Changes to the NFPA 70E: 2024 Edition

Speaker: Jason Wolf, CSP, CESCP

Stay up to date with electrical safety. We’ll cover the changes to the NFPA 70E 2024 edition, and how these may affect your own electrical safety program. Topics discussed will include global changes to the standard, along with specifics such as emergency response planning, electrically safe work conditions, and approach distances.


Safety Walk-In

Speakers: Larry Berndt & Floyd Sauter
The doors are open to your safety queries! You direct this breakout session in the following topics: Lockout/Tagout, Fall Protection, Scaffolding, Crane Operator, Forklift Operator, Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, or add your own topic. The breakout session(s) will be given by OSHA Authorized instructors, the instructors are employed by Kirkwood Community College, a host site for Great Plains OSHA Education Center, Independence MO. Typical questions may include employee and employer responsibilities, training requirements, recordkeeping needs, qualifications, competencies, inspections, operations, and storage. Come with a question, leave with an answer. *This walk-in panel is repeated for Breakout Sessions 2 and 3.

Take a break and explore our vendors.

 

Crisis De-escalation: How to Be the Calm in the Storm

Speaker: Nicholas D’Amico, MA, LMFT

Do you know what to do in a crisis? Master the essentials of crisis de-escalation, including the neurological underpinnings that lead to escalation and how our brains function differently when we are angry, stressed, scared, etc. You will learn the importance of managing yourself when others are escalated, as well as de-escalation techniques and strategies to take with you.


How Human & Organizational Performance (HOP), Wearables, and AI are Safety Management Game-Changers

Speaker: Tom West, SHRM, HRCI, COSS

Wearable technology in conjunction with AI and analytics are now helping companies identify safety risks before they happen. The right tech with a human-centric approach can also enable HOP initiatives, help build culture, and strengthen worker engagement and mindset. Through data and use cases from a variety of industries, you will explore how wearables and technology work together to provide true leading indicators for preventative safety management, resulting in reduced incidents and workers' compensation claims and creating a new era in workplace safety.


Fleet Safety Management — Putting People First

Speaker: Trevor Martin

During this session, we will be going over the Lytx DrivCam camera system and Manatt’s Elite Training Program. You will discover how these programs have not only benefited the company from a safety and training standpoint, but also how they put our employee’s safety, growth, and human potential first and foremost.


Drug Trends: United Sates vs. Iowa

Speakers: Lindsay Norman, MPH, CHES & Jade Jackson

Gain insights into Iowa's position within the United States regarding the trends in drug usage and related fatalities that the state has witnessed in recent years. Discover how the preferences of Iowa residents compare to the national averages according to surveys. This session will also address the complex issue of substance abuse in the workplace. Lindsey and Jade will offer valuable information for companies looking to create a drug-free workplace and provide guidance on fostering a healthier work environment for their employees.


Safety Walk-In (Repeated Session)

Speakers: Larry Berndt & Floyd Sauter
You direct the breakout session in the following topics: Lockout/Tagout, Fall Protection, Scaffolding, Crane Operator, Forklift Operator, Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, or add your own topic. Come with a question, leave with an answer. *This walk-in panel is repeated for Breakout Session 3.

Enjoy a delicious meal and visit with fellow attendees and exhibitors.

Human Trafficking: It’s Happening Everywhere

Speakers: Nikki Stallman & Tish Young
Do you know what trafficking is — and what it isn’t? Nikki and Tish from Chains Interrupted will guide you through what it looks like locally and identify the most common methods traffickers use to lure their victims. We'll discuss trafficking prevention in our communities, our businesses, and for our families. This gripping presentation will provide the tools you need to recognize trafficking, and empower employees to respond by building a smart, safe response and/or protocol for your business. 

Visit vendor exhibits while on your way to the next breakout sessions.

Recovery Friendly Workplaces: Benefits and Best Practices

Speakers: Laura Keniston & Dr. Diane Rohlman

Come explore the concept of recovery-ready and recovery friendly workplaces, which are organizations that embrace policies and practices aimed at fostering inclusivity and support for individuals in or seeking recovery from substance use disorders (SUD). We will discuss the Recovery Ready Workplace Toolkit and best practices for leadership and peer support for individuals with SUD. Positive impacts of recovery friendly workplaces include a more diverse workforce, improved well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and decreased healthcare costs. Workplace policies can also reduce societal stigma and foster a culture where SUD is seen as a treatable health condition, and individuals in recovery are welcomed and supported in the workplace.


Workplace Relationships & A Loneliness Epidemic

Speaker: Celina Peerman, Ph.D.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General named loneliness an epidemic and raised the alarm about the serious risk of the lack of social support and real friends. What is an employer's role in this? How does isolation impact psychological and physical safety? This session will examine how healthy relationships are critical to safety and a leader's role in helping others form and keep relationship skills.


Current RCRA Hazardous Waste Trends and Regulatory Updates

Speaker: Misty Sinclair, PE, CM

We will discuss the ever-changing landscape of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste Regulations. Current regulatory updates and trends will be discussed including the Generator Improvement Rule, the new “Empty Container” definition and guidance, EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives, and many more! The presentation will conclude with a discussion on surviving an EPA RCRA compliance inspection and some tips on EPA’s Self Disclosure Policy.


Chasing the TRIR

Speaker: Kirk Dighton

How does your company match up to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS Code) in your class? Contracting with some companies may require comparing your company’s Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and other injury data to like companies in the nation. If your numbers are higher than the “normal” NAICS Code, your company may not get the bid, or you have to go through a tap dance to prove your company is “safe enough” to be worthy of doing the job for your customer. This presentation will explore methods of chasing the TRIR and creating a safe work environment for your employees where everyone wins. The employees go home at the end of the day safe and sound and the company wins more job bids with improved safety data. 


Safety Walk-In (Repeated Session)

Speakers: Larry Berndt & Floyd Sauter
You direct the breakout session in the following topics: Lockout/Tagout, Fall Protection, Scaffolding, Crane Operator, Forklift Operator, Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, or add your own topic. Come with a question, leave with an answer. *This is the last walk-in panel of the day.

Your final call to visit with vendors before the end of the conference.

Cannabis in the Workplace (Legal and Medical)

Speakers: Dr. Chris Iverson & Teri Davis

This talk will focus on the current state of cannabis drug testing and legal status amid a changing landscape of cannabis acceptance nationwide. Specific items to be discussed will include indications for drug testing, interpretation of drug testing results, the challenges of identifying impairment, and best practices for employers.


Perform Your Own Ergonomic Risk Assessments

Speaker: Caley Ploessl, PT, DPT

Join us for this interactive session that will teach you how to perform simple ergonomic risk assessments at your workplace. Together we will work through different checklists and tools that will help you assess a variety of work environments to determine what risk they are at for a musculoskeletal injury. From there, we will discuss modifications you can make to reduce the risk of injury and increase the comfort of the workspace.


Fall Protection Update

Speaker: Jay Petry

Don’t fall behind on fall protection. Refresh yourself on fall protection equipment, the hierarchy of fall protection, and the ABCD’s of fall arrest equipment. Jay Petry will provide the latest information from OSHA and ANSI/ASSP standards. Maintenance, inspection, limitations of equipment, and proper harness fitting will be included during the session.


Respiratory Protection Program Guide

Speaker: Zoe Harris

Learn about OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard, 1910.134, and additional regulations regarding respiratory protection and how to implement a Respiratory Protection Program for your company. Topics will include risk assessments, medical screening, required training, fit testing, evaluating, and necessary documentation.


Iowa OSHA Update

Speaker: Chris Downs

This session will provide current data for the workforce including hot topics in compliance as well as state and national emphasis programs that OSHA supports annually. Chris will always take questions, so come prepared with yours. Be sure to visit the OSHA booth in the vendor area to take an OSHA publication with you.


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