28th Annual
May 14-16, 2024
Anchorage Marriott Downtown & Dena’ina Center • Anchorage, Alaska
Registration Program
Join us!
This summit is designed for all industries and worksites, even
if they are not in the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). All
safety managers/coordinators and safety committee members
will benet from this world-class workplace safety training and
networking.
CLIMB TO SAFETY
EXCELLENCE
ALASKA 2024
Region XRegion X
For more conference information:
osha.oregon.gov/conferences • RegionXVPPPA.org
2
General Conference Information
Registration
Early registration is encouraged, as class space is limited.
Registration is accepted by mail, scan/email, or online. Faxes
are accepted only if accompanied by credit card information
or purchase order. If space is available, you may register at
the conference. Checks, purchase orders, and credit cards
are accepted.
NOTE: If you intend to register at the conference, call
503-947-7411 for session availability.
To register by mail, complete the conference registration
form and send it with your check, credit card payment, or
purchase order to:
Region X VPPPA Conference
PO Box 5640
Salem, OR 97304-0640
Fax: 503-947-7019
Or scan/email from with payment information to:
oregon.confer[email protected]egon.gov
Register online at
safetyseries.cventevents.com/vpp24
Cancellation policy
All cancellations must be in writing and received before
Tuesday, May 7, 2024. After that date, no refunds are
granted.
Substitution of attendees is allowed. Registrants who do
not attend the conference are required to pay in full.
Continuing education credits
An attendance verication form is included in each
attendee’s packet. Attendees can ask each session speaker
or room monitor to sign their form at the conclusion of the
session. After the event, attendees can submit their signed
verication form to their accrediting body.
Lodging option
Anchorage Marriott Downtown
820 West 7th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
800-228-9290
Group rate: $175 plus tax
To make lodging reservations, call the hotel directly
before April 11, 2024. Ask for the “Region X VPPPA
Conference” room block to receive the conference rate.
Or use this link:
Book Your Group/Corporate Rate | Marriott International
Rate is for single occupancy and is subject to all applicable
taxes. The group rate is available three days prior and
three days following the event (based on availability). The
Anchorage Marriott Downtown is smoke free.
Questions?
Call the Conference Section at 503-947-7411 or
888-292-5247 (toll-free) option 1
Email: [email protected]
Visit osha.oregon.gov/conferences
or www.RegionXVPPPA.org
Learn about what Anchorage and Alaska
has to oer by visiting anchorage.net
CLIMB TO SAFETY
EXCELLENCE
ALASKA 2024
Region XRegion X
3
Region X VPPPA Bowling Night
Tuesday, May 14
Join us for an evening of bowling! The cost is
$20 per person, which includes bowling, shoes,
and transportation.
Check-in at Jewel Lake Bowling Center begins at 4:45
p.m. with the event starting at 5 p.m.
• Form teams of ve or register as an individual.
• Food and beverages available for purchase.
• It will be a fun night at the alley! Space is limited;
sign up by Friday, April 23!
Please return this registration and your check to:
Region X VPPPA FAX: 503-947-7019
PO Box 5640
Salem, OR 97304-0640
(Federal tax ID: 82-0489420)
Make payable to Region X VPPPA Amount enclosed: $ _____________________
Oce use only
Date Rec. ______________________
Amt. Rec.
______________________
Check #
________________________
PO #
__________________________
Last 4
_________________________
3 digits on back of MasterCard or VISA
4 digits on front of American Express
{
Charge my: MasterCard VISA American Express
Name on card (print):_____________________________________________________________
Billing address:
______________________________________ Billing ZIP Code: ____________
Exp. date: ___________________________________________ Security code: ______________
Signature: ______________________________________________________________________
For your protection, your credit card
number will be shredded after processing.
Credit Card #:
Questions?
Call the Conference Section at
503-947-7411
Email:
Complete this form or register online when
you register to attend the conference. You
may also pay on site, if necessary.
Bowling registration
deadline: April 23, 2024
Cost per bowler: $20
Name: __________________________________________________________________________
Company: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________ Email: ____________________________________
To be assigned to a bowling team:
Name:
________________________________ Name: ___________________________________
To pre-designate your ve-person bowling team:
Name:
__________________ Name: ____________________ Name: ______________________
Name: ________________________________ Name: ___________________________________
Number of players: ____ x $20 = Total amount due $ _________________________________
4
Interest Tracks
Construction
• Industrial Hygiene and Welding – What You Need to
Know
Industrial Hygiene
• Industrial Hygiene Considerations During Conned
Space Entry Operations
• Industrial Hygiene and Welding – What You Need to
Know
• How Should VPP Sites be Sampling and Analyzing
Worker Exposure Data? Limitations and Best Practices
Preparedness
• Workplace Violence Prevention
• Active Aggressor Preparedness
Safety and Health Management/Leadership
• Succession Planning for Safety Success
• Improving Safety Communication
• Stepping Stones to Safety Excellence
• Ensuring Safety Through Inspired Leadership
• How to Engage Your Workforce: Keeping Employee
Engagement Fresh
Strengthening Star
• Leveraging Virtual Teams for Enhanced Workplace
Safety: A Proposal for Establishing a Virtual Employee
Safety Team for VPP
• Choices … Reduce the Risk
• Improving Your Safety Culture Through Safety and
Health Management
• Fabricating Our Way to a Safer, More Ecient
Workplace
• Culture of Safety Program
• Building a Lasting Safety Culture
Technical
• Is There a Problem HEAR?
• Moving to a Risk-Based Approach in Behavior-Based
Safety
• Basic Electrical Safety Tips
• Let’s Not Be Silent About the Silent Killer, Carbon
Monoxide: How to Stay Safe at Work and Play
• Understanding Combustible Dust Hazards
VPP Basics
• Conicts in the Workplace Are No Laughing Matter
• What Is Needed in Your VPP Annual Self-Evaluation:
Making Your ASE Work for You!
• The Unique Role of a Union Safety Representative
• Employee Led Safety Committees
• Mentoring and Outreach: What a Mentor Needs to
Know
Wellness/Total Worker Health
• Total Worker Health® Awareness for Safety
Committees
• Being Proactive Is Key in Ergonomics
• Employee Well-Being – a Holistic Approach
• Talk Saves Lives
Sessions (on Wednesday and Thursday) are organized into interest tracks to make it easy to
nd the topics that interest you most. You can pick and choose from sessions in multiple tracks
or use the recommended learning paths to focus on specic areas.
5
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration open
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Full-day workshops
VPP Application Workshop™
The VPP Application Workshop™ is a full-day presentation
designed to prepare attendees to begin their Voluntary
Protection Program (VPP) application or to introduce new
employees to the program. In this session, we cover VPP
elements and requirements, best practices to build your
strongest application, as well as what to expect during
the on-site review.
Jack Grith
Union Safety Representative/VPP Coordinator
Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Richland, Washington
Christian Hendrickson
Safety Consultant
Alaska Occupational Safety and Health, Anchorage, Alaska
Darren James
DOSH VPP Manager
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
DOSH, Everett, Washington
Mark Hurliman, CHSM
VPP/SHARP Program Coordinator
Oregon OSHA, Medford, Oregon
Foundations of Safety Leadership
I
This workshop:
• Discusses what is a safety leader.
• Describes the dierence between safety cultures and
safety climate.
• Describes the qualities of a good safety leader.
• Oers case studies on leadership skills.
Laurent Brown
Work Management Training
Batelle Energy Alliance/Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Usability Mapping: Risk-Ranked
Operating Procedures and
Safe Work Practices
I
In this workshop, participants learn how to:
• Engineer language to align with user needs (usability
engineering)
• Identify and integrate the connection points
between humans and machines
• Control language for optimal readability and
comprehension (RGL/FRES)
• Engineer documents to measurable and veriable
specications
• Manage cognitive overload
• Nest alerts optimally and prevent “safety clutter”
• Apply comprehension control and stress
management
Klaus Hofer, Ph.D.
Chief Science Oce for Usability Mapping Inc.
Usability Mapping Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Tuesday, May 14 – Full-day and half-day workshops
Anchorage Marriott Downtown
Experience/Knowledge Levels
B
Basic
I
Intermediate
A
Advanced
6
Tuesday, May 14, continued
8-11:30 a.m. Half-day workshops
Boots on the Ground Ergonomics
and Controlling Ergonomic Hazards
I
Anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling
workplace hazards in the industrial workplace and in the
standard oce setting are discussed.
Denise Serr
Industrial Safety and Industrial Hygiene, Co-Technical
Point of Contact for Ergonomics Program
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Emily Sherman
Industrial Hygienist, Technical Point of Contact for
Ergonomics Program
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Understanding Worker Wellness
and Simple Steps Toward Injury
Prevention
B
Together we discuss, analyze, and apply information from
human anatomy, functional movement, ergonomics,
safety, and best exercise practices and tools to better
understand our bodies and the simple steps we can take
to aid in the reduction of injuries at work and at home.
We also discuss steps the Idaho National Laboratory have
taken to create an award-winning wellness program
and how wellness and safety have been integrated.
Attendees take away a greater appreciation of the
exercise practices that tune our bodies in preparation for
facing the activities of work and play under the ever-
present duress of gravity.
Tyler Atkinson, MS, LAT, ATC
Health and Fitness Specialist
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch (provided)
12:30-4 p.m. Half-day workshops
VPP Re-Approval, Ready, Set, Go!
I
You are a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) site and
the evaluation audit is coming up. Are you ready? This
session covers the intent of the audit as well as some
tips and tricks you can use to make the audit easier and
more meaningful. This session covers the VPP evaluation
process, what the auditors look for, and what you should
make sure to do.
Mark Hurliman, CHSM
VPP/SHARP Program Coordinator
Oregon OSHA, Medford, Oregon
Oense in Depth:
The Dynamic Power of Sub Teams
B/I
In this session, learners hear from the Idaho National
Laboratory and Idaho Environment Cleanup VPP
teams. Learn how these two teams utilize sub teams
to fully integrate other programs as part of their safety
message while navigating population and geographical
challenges to conduct employee safety meetings. Come
prepared to discuss some of your own challenges and
successes with your safety messages.
Jared Davis
Voluntary Protection Program Manager
Batelle Energy Alliance/Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Saprena Lyons
ISMS, VPP, Safety Culture and HPI Lead
Idaho Environmental Coalition, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Register online at safetyseries.cventevents.com/vpp24
Anchorage Marriott Downtown
7
7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration open
7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Exhibitors open (Bingo card activity)
7:30-8:30 a.m. Hot breakfast buet
8:30-11:15 a.m. General Session
Welcome, dignitary speeches, business
meeting, candidate announcements/
nominations
(8:30-10 a.m.)
Max VanValey
Region X VPPPA Chairperson
Andy Foster
National VPPPA
Mitch Wallace
Assistant Chief
AKOSH Consultation and Training
Arlene Lamont, MS
Anchorage Area Director, OSHA Region 10
Greig Lowell
Statewide Consultation Manager
Oregon OSHA
Darren James
VPP Manager
Washington State L&I/DOSH
Alfred Traylor
Director, Oce of Worker Safety and Health Assistance
United States Department of Energy
Stephanie Dovalina
Industrial Hygienist
Department of Energy, Idaho
10-10:15 a.m. Break
Keynote: Usability Mapping: Applying
the Science of Safety (10:15-11:15 a.m.)
This keynote focuses on the widespread problem
of the disconnect between operational safety and
user documentation. We pride ourselves on excellent
documentation that is well written, technically accurate,
and regulatory compliant. Yet virtually all incident
investigations of man-made disasters point to, or at least
include, a reference to:
• Something wasn’t known.
• Something could not be found.
• Something was misunderstood.
Why is there such a disconnect between excellent
documentation and what users need? What does it take
to close the disconnect between writers and the users to
get measurable results? In this keynote, you discover how
the applied sciences of human cognition and behavior
can close this gap. The solution is a UX document
engineering methodology called usability mapping.
Klaus Hofer, Ph.D.
Chief Science Oce for Usability Mapping Inc.
Usability Mapping Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Noon-1:15 p.m. Lunch (provided)
Visit Exhibits
1:15-2:45 p.m. Sessions
Leveraging Virtual Teams for
Enhanced Workplace Safety:
A Proposal for Establishing a Virtual
Employee Safety Team for VPP
B
This presentation outlines the implementation of a
virtual employee safety team as a key component of the
Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). In an era of remote
work and evolving workplace dynamics, establishing a
Wednesday, May 15
Dena’ina Center
Experience/Knowledge Levels
B
Basic
I
Intermediate
A
Advanced
8
virtual safety team is crucial for ensuring the continued
success of VPP initiatives. This proposal discusses the
rationale, structure, and benets of creating a virtual
team dedicated to enhancing employee safety within the
VPP framework.
Carmen McKellar
VPP LEST Vice Chair, Instructional Designer
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Industrial Hygiene Considerations
During Conned Space Entry
Operations
I
Working in conned spaces can present many hazards
from a safety and an industrial hygiene perspective. This
presentation explores various principles of industrial
hygiene that can be used to anticipate, recognize,
evaluate, and control hazards present during conned
space entry operations. These principles primarily focus
on the evaluation and control of chemical and physical
hazards with an emphasis on atmospheric monitoring
strategies, conned space ventilation systems, the
selection and use of personal protective equipment,
and special considerations for performing hot work in
conned spaces.
Darren Burks, CIH, CSP, CHMM
HSE Supervisor
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska
Is There a Problem HEAR?
I
This session reviews the OSHA requirements for hearing
conservation programs (HCPs) and compares them with
other nonregulatory standards. We discuss feasible
options to assist in actively addressing hazardous
noise in the workplace such as noise dosimetry, SEG
development, custom personal protective equipment,
ear-t validation, and how to address signicant
threshold shifts. Also, we review common pitfalls in HCPs
and improvement options.
Aaron Wintereld, MS, CIH, CSP, CHMM
Health and Safety Specialist
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska
Succession Planning for
Safety Success
A
It happens all the time. We build a strong, successful
safety program, then key personnel retire or leave, and
things start to fall o. Personnel changes, like process and
culture changes, strongly aect your safety performance.
Would you like some insight into how to reduce the
negative eect such personnel change can have? Learn
from insight several VPP sites have shared over the
years. One VPP site successfully navigated potentially
devastating leadership change recently and had a very
good outcome. In this session, VPP sites share their
experiences and lessons learned by going through trying
circumstances.
Terance Chapman, SGE
Program Manager Process Engineering
Klamath Energy, Klamath Falls, Oregon
Mark Hurliman, CHSM
VPP/SHARP Program Coordinator
Oregon OSHA, Medford, Oregon
Conicts in the Workplace Are No
Laughing Matter
I
Conicts occur when something we care about is
threatened; they can trigger instinctive ght or ight
reactions. Every worksite has issues at some time, and
these can get ugly if allowed to linger unresolved.
They can create mistrust between management and
the workforce and in some cases withdrawal from VPP.
This session addresses the role and benets of using a
mediator to reach agreements.
Jack Grith
Union Safety Representative/VPP Coordinator
Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Richland, Washington
Wednesday, May 15, continued
Dena’ina Center
9
Total Worker Health® Awareness for
Safety Committees
B/I
Safety committees play a crucial role in the identication
and management of dierent workplace hazards. This
workshop helps you to broaden your understanding
of all types of hazards, including psychosocial and
organizational hazards, which are not always easy to
recognize. Participants have an opportunity to learn
this from the perspective of a total worker health (TWH)
approach, a concept coined and supported by the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH). Participants also are able to relate how current
workplace programs and policies might t (or not)
into the TWH approach and how this comprehensive
approach can be used by safety committees to advance
health, safety, and well-being at work more eectively.
Katia Costa-Black, PT, Ph.D.
Senior Manager for Education and Partnerships
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences
Portland, Oregon
2:45-3:30 p.m. Break and Visit Exhibits
3:30-5 p.m. Sessions
Choices … Reduce the Risk
I
This presentation uses a combination of actual video
footage and work execution photos to demonstrate how
to review the scope, identify risks associated with the
scope, and the importance of making the right choices to
mitigate and reduce risk. This session explains:
• How to manage safety risks in the planning phase of
the project.
• How risks exist on all tasks no matter how simple.
• How making the right choices during project
execution reduces risk.
• How to balance safety and health requirements in all
phases of activities and how to conduct operations in
a safe, compliant, and cost-eective manner.
• How the importance of teamwork aects project
safety culture and success.
Shawna Burtenshaw, PMP
Senior Project Manager
Idaho Environmental Coalition, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Industrial Hygiene and Welding –
What You Need to Know
I
Welding operations are common. It is imperative that
health and safety professionals understand and manage
the welding health and safety exposures/risks associated
with their operations. The presentation reviews the
common types of welding. Specic topics related to
health exposures are discussed to include hexavalent
chromium and manganese, which are the risk drivers for
most welding operations. Exposure mitigation strategies,
such as a focus on ventilation, are also described.
Anthony Barnard, CIH, CSP
Principal Consultant
Barnard IH and Safety Consulting, Anchorage, Alaska
Moving to a Risk-Based Approach
in Behavior-Based Safety
I
Kuparuk BEAR Safety Process – Serious Injury Fatality
Every month, peer-to-peer observations that measure
how work is really getting done and real conversations
about exposures are coupled with data analytics and
facilitated crew problem solving. This 25-year-old process
continues to evolve and make a dierence. Integration
with operations, HSE departments, and leadership
eld verications have supported continued growth
Register online at safetyseries.cventevents.com/vpp24
Experience/Knowledge Levels
B
Basic
I
Intermediate
A
Advanced
Wednesday, May 15, continued
Dena’ina Center
10
and eectiveness. We look at the benets of focusing
observers on higher risk tasks. Discussion includes
implementation, training, and data usage.
Chuck Smith, CHST
BBS Facilitator, HSE Specialist
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska
Ron Chenault
BBS Facilitator
ASRC Energy Services, Anchorage, Alaska
Improving Safety Communication
B
We are most eective when we are going in the same
direction with a shared purpose. This workshop helps
to set a foundation for successful communication
by exploring ways to incorporate and better utilize
management leadership, employee involvement, safety
and health training, strategic communications plans, and
enhanced communication tools and strategies.
Hannah Haworth, GSP, STS
Safety Specialist and VPP Coordinator
Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Richland, Washington
Lynn Tegeler
Communications Consultant
Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Richland, Washington
What Is Needed in Your VPP
Annual Self-Evaluation: Making
Your ASE Work for You!
B
The VPP annual self-evaluation (ASE) is a requirement
of VPP participation. It should not be a chore you need
to do at the end of the year. Do you want to learn
how to make your ASE contribute toward your goal of
continuous improvement? How would you like to use
your ASE to help improve your culture? In this session,
Region X Agency representatives share not only what
they look for, but some of the best practices they see
from VPP sites who are using their ASE as a tool to ensure
they are always aiming for excellence.
Christian Hendrickson
Safety Consultant
Alaska Occupational Safety and Health
Anchorage, Alaska
Mark Hurliman, CHSM
VPP/SHARP Program Coordinator
Oregon OSHA, Medford, Oregon
Darren James
DOSH VPP Manager
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, DOSH
Everett, Washington
Being Proactive Is Key
in Ergonomics
B
No one can deny age can lead to many aches and pains.
However, one of the most common silent causes of wrist
mobility issues, vision problems, headaches, and elbow or
back pain is oce ergonomics. By the end of this workshop
participants are able to apply basic OSHA oce ergonomic
principles at work and home. Focus is on proper assessment
and setup of oce chairs, computer equipment, and
peripherals. In addition, administrative controls and industry
best practices are discussed. We can’t prevent aging, but
with enough knowledge, self-assessment, and oce
ergonomic planning, we can slow down the accumulation
of aches and pains in our life.
Brenda Kenton, BS
Senior Safety Specialist
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions
Richland, Washington
7-10 p.m. Networking reception at
Dena’ina Center lobby (music and
refreshments)
Wednesday, May 15, continued
Dena’ina Center
Register online at safetyseries.cventevents.com/vpp24
11
7:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration open
7:45-10:30 a.m. Exhibits open
7:45-8:30 a.m. Hot breakfast buet (provided)
8:30-9 a.m. General Session
Awards presentation, appreciation, and
prize drawing
9-9:45 a.m. General Session
Great Leaders That Made VPP Happen
This presentation examines initiatives and actions made
by leaders at three levels of actual organizations (both
general industry and Department of Defense). Those
initiatives and actions were highly instrumental in
establishing the culture of safety required at a VPP Star
Site. The presentation examines the contributions at the
top management, middle management, and employee
levels. The presentation is salted with humorous and
motivational information.
Paul Savage, MS, SMS
Principal Safety Professional and SMS Consultant
Concurrent Technologies Corporation
Dripping Springs, Texas
9:45-10:30 p.m. Break and Visit Exhibits
10:30-11:45 a.m. Sessions
Improving Your Safety Culture
Through Safety and Health
Management
I
A workplace safety culture is the product of
individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions,
competencies, and patterns of behavior, determined
by the organization’s health and safety management
systems. This session covers how your safety and health
management system aects your workplace safety
culture and some things you can do to improve both.
Mark Hurliman, CHSM
VPP/SHARP Program Coordinator
Oregon OSHA, Medford, Oregon
Workplace Violence Prevention
I
Workplace violence in health care is not “part of the job.”
While instances of workplace violence continue to be
higher in health care than other industries, prevention
and mitigation activities support the safety of the
workforce. Lessons learned while maturing a workplace
violence prevention program highlight applicability
across industries with a focus on employee engagement,
internal reporting, investigation, reviewing trends, and
providing feedback to employees. Additionally, training
program successes and barriers show how to keep
workers aware of workplace violence threats.
Keith Fehr, MS, CHFM, CHSP
Facility Operations Director and Safety Ocer
Foundation Health Partners, Fairbanks, Alaska
Register online at safetyseries.cventevents.com/vpp24
Thursday, May 16
Dena’ina Center
Experience/Knowledge Levels
B
Basic
I
Intermediate
A
Advanced
12
Basic Electrical Safety Tips
B
Our objective is to share basic electrical safety
information while creating an atmosphere for open and
fun communication while enhancing the audience’s basic
understanding of electrical safety at home and at work.
This session is not an advanced electrical safety course
and is an opportunity to ask basic electrical questions
and exchange information in a relaxed atmosphere.
Melissa Herron, Washington State Certied
Electrician
Electrical Training Specialist
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions
Richland, Washington
Kevin Schoonover, Substation Wireman Lead,
Washington State Certied Electrician
Hanford Bargaining Unit – Lead Safety Representative
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions
Richland, Washington
Stepping Stones to Safety
Excellence
I
This training class is specically developed for new
hires that have been on board for 90 to 120 days after
they have acclimated to their work environment and
settled into their job duties and qualication programs.
This training brings together various subject matter
experts, senior leadership, safety professionals, union
representatives, safety committee leaders, and others to
present and share their knowledge on safety and health
topics to inspire new employees to get involved and
engaged in any or all the various committees, councils,
programs, and initiatives.
Bryce Eaton, EIT
Chemical Engineer, EAPC Chair
Washington River Protection Solutions
Richland, Washington
Tracy Goetz
Safety Specialist
Washington River Protection Solutions
Richland, Washington
Adam Lattin
Industrial Hygiene Technician Fugitive Emissions, EAPC Chair
Washington River Protection Solutions
Richland, Washington
Teena Taber
Safety Integration Manager
Washington River Protection Solutions
Richland, Washington
The Unique Role of a Union Safety
Representative
I
In this session attendees learn about the unique role
of a union safety representative from a member of the
Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC’s safety
representatives received a 2023 Region X VPPPA Award).
The presenter covers the selection process, roles and
responsibilities, and day-to-day activities. This union safety
representative program began in September 1997. It has
clearly demonstrated a cost savings through reduction of
safety grievances and workplace injuries while increasing
worker involvement in the safety and health program.
Many organizations across the nation, both bargaining
and non-bargaining, have adopted this program and are
experiencing the benets of this unique position.
Jack Grith
Union Safety Representative/VPP Coordinator
Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Richland, Washington
Thursday, May 16, continued
Dena’ina Center
Register online at safetyseries.cventevents.com/vpp24
Experience/Knowledge Levels
B
Basic
I
Intermediate
A
Advanced
13
Employee Well-Being –
a Holistic Approach
B
A healthy employee is a safe employee, and a safe
employee is a healthier employee. Do you want to
increase your employee engagement and retention?
Idaho National Laboratory is leading the way with their
improved well-being program that oers benets such
as wellness programing, tness centers, on-site medical
clinics, physical therapy, employee assistance program,
and the world’s largest most comprehensive digital
health and engagement platform.
Cydnee Radford, MHRD
Well-Being, Engagement, and Development Lead
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Lunch (provided)
Announce Bingo winners (must be
present to win)
12:45-2 p.m. Sessions
Fabricating Our Way to a Safer,
More Ecient Workplace
I
Eklutna Generation Station (EGS) presents unique
challenges for maintaining worker safety and health.
The hazards employees are exposed to include noise,
chemical, repetitive motion, and intense physical labor
due to the size, component weight, and ongoing engine
overhauls. Over the past few years, the maintenance
technicians at EGS have designed, fabricated, or
occasionally purchased tools and equipment that have
greatly improved the ergonomic and repetitive motion
stressors. Most of the items in this presentation were
crafted by an EGS employee as solutions to ergonomic
stressors or improving safe work practices. The additional
benet that has been seen with implementation of
these changes has been an increase in the eciency of
completing tasks.
John Lackey
Maintenance Technician
Matanuska Electric Association, Chugiak, Alaska
Culture of Safety Program
I
Health care regulatory standards heavily focus on patient
safety and providing a safe and secure environment in
which health care can occur. By maintaining a culture of
safety focused on the health care of employees, patient
safety remains a focus for the employees. Lessons
learned while maturing a culture of safety program will
highlight applicability across industries with a focus
on employee engagement, internal incident reporting,
employee injury investigation, reviewing safety/injury
trends, and providing feedback to employees.
Keith Fehr, MS, CHFM, CHSP
Facility Operations Director and Safety Ocer
Foundation Health Partners, Fairbanks, Alaska
Let’s Not Be Silent About the
Silent Killer, Carbon Monoxide:
How to Stay Safe at Work and Play
I
Carbon monoxide (CO) often referred to as the silent
killer, causes more than 100,000 people in the U.S. to visit
an emergency department each year due to accidental
poisoning. But it doesn’t have to, as each of these cases is
entirely preventable. Learn how to recognize where CO is a
problem, how it aects your body, the signs and symptoms
of exposure, and how you can prevent CO poisoning.
Brian Perkes, MS, CIH, CSP
Safety and Health Manager
Idaho Environmental Coalition, Idaho Falls
Register online at safetyseries.cventevents.com/vpp24
Thursday, May 16, continued
Dena’ina Center
Experience/Knowledge Levels
B
Basic
I
Intermediate
A
Advanced
14
Ensuring Safety Through
Inspired Leadership
I
We all know the importance of being attuned to and
maintaining safety in our personal and professional
lives. Maintaining a mental posture of safety within our
personal lives is driven by our sense of awareness and
making safety a priority. And while there is certainly a
component of that in our professional settings, there
is another, even more critical component – leadership.
Eective leadership is essential to creating a culture built
on certain values, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions. This
session identies personality and competency areas that
help leaders target key leadership areas that can facilitate
success in ensuring a more safety-minded organization.
Beverly Portis
Senior Organizational Development Consultant
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Employee Led Safety Committees
B
The speakers plan to demonstrate how creative and
customized presentations from employee-led safety
councils communicate and teach the tenants of VPP to
craft or administrative workers, reducing injuries, and
fostering a healthy safety culture for your company.
Tina Collins, Licensed Electrical
Maintenance Electrical
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions
Richland, Washington
Toby Greer
Project Manager
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions
Richland, Washington
Lisa Guerrero
Project Controls Associate
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions
Richland, Washington
Active Aggressor Preparedness
B
This presentation provides an overview of the Idaho National
Laboratory Workplace Active Aggressor Safety Preparedness
Team’s composition and role. This presentation highlights the
importance of having a prepared employee population for an
active aggressor situation and the resources available to help
train employees.
Dan Hammer
INL Workplace Active Aggressor Preparedness
Team Safety Chairperson
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
2-2:20 p.m. Break
2:20-3:50 p.m. Sessions
Talk Saves Lives
I
Talk Saves Lives is American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention’s (AFSP) education program that provides
participants with a clear understanding of this leading
cause of death, including the most up-to-date research
on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their
communities and workplaces to save lives. Participants
learn common risk factors and warning signs associated
with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe.
Topics covered include:
• Scope of the Problem: The latest data on suicide in the
U.S. and worldwide
• Research: Information from research on what causes
people to consider suicide, as well as health, historical,
and environmental factors that put individuals at risk
• Prevention: An understanding of the protective factors
that lower suicide risk, and strategies for managing
mental health and being proactive about self-care
• What You Can Do: Guidance on warning signs
and behaviors to look for, and how to get help for
someone in a suicidal crisis
Don Graves, MBA
Board Member AFSP Anchorage Station and
Outstations Manager
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention / Everts Air
Cargo, Anchorage, Alaska
Thursday, May 16, continued
Dena’ina Center
15
How Should VPP Sites be Sampling
and Analyzing Worker Exposure
Data? Limitations and Best Practices
A
The traditional compliance sampling approach consists
of collecting a limited number of representative samples
and comparing the results directly to an exposure
limit, but is this an eective and accurate approach?
Does it meet the VPP ideals of occupational health
excellence? This presentation explores the drawbacks
of the compliance-based approach and presents a
range of current recommended practices for industrial
hygiene sampling and analysis to improve accuracy in
characterizing employee exposure proles and assessing
the risk of overexposure.
Mike Johnson, CIH, PE, MS
Senior Industrial Hygienist
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, DOSH
Mt. Vernon, Washington
Building a Lasting Safety Culture
I
PREPAlaska is a paperless personal risk assessment and is
a core tool for all employees and contractors who work
for ConocoPhillips Alaska along with a soft tissue injury
prevention program that focuses on body mechanics.
Both have contributed heavily to the company’s low
injury rates. Presenters share a comprehensive look
at the hazard recognition and ergonomics programs
ConocoPhillips has used for nearly two decades to
build and maintain a world class safety culture. This
course covers implementation, training, challenges, and
strategies that have led to this success.
Ron Chenault
BBS Facilitator
ASRC Energy Services, Anchorage, Alaska
Chuck Smith, CHST
BBS Facilitator, HSE Specialist
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska
How to Engage Your
Workforce: Keeping Employee
Engagement Fresh
A
The most eective safety and health management
systems tend to be management led, but employee
driven. For employees to truly drive safety, they must
be meaningfully and actively engaged in your safety
processes. Engaging the workforce can be dicult, but
it does not have to be. Your best workers are looking
for ways to be more eective in their jobs. They just
need to know how! This session covers some of the best
practices employed by Oregon VPP sites to engage their
employees to take meaningful and long-term ownership
of safety processes.
Mark Hurliman, CHSM
VPP/SHARP Program Coordinator
Oregon OSHA, Medford, Oregon
Joe Sypal, SGE
EHS Manager
Sherwin-Williams Purdy Plant, Portland, Oregon
Carl Zampino
Management Systems Facilitator
Coca-Cola Portland Syrup Plant, Portland, Oregon
Register online at safetyseries.cventevents.com/vpp24
Thursday, May 16, continued
Dena’ina Center
Experience/Knowledge Levels
B
Basic
I
Intermediate
A
Advanced
16
Mentoring and Outreach: What
a Mentor Needs to Know
I
Over the past few years, many of our experienced
mentors have retired. Region X and the VPPPA is
recruiting more mentors to help companies wanting to
get started in VPP. Are you interested in becoming a VPP
mentor? If you are a Star site, here is an opportunity to
see what it takes to begin your journey into mentoring.
This session covers the role and benets of being a
mentor, and what is not expected of a mentor. The
session also covers the roles and responsibilities of the
mentee, and the benets of using a mentor. Additionally,
it addresses outreach activities that provide benets to
the regulator and your company, including enhancing
your knowledge and skill as a mentor.
Jack Grith
Union Safety Representative/VPP Coordinator
Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Richland, Washington
Understanding Combustible
Dust Hazards
B
This presentation provides an overview of how to
identify and help mitigate the hazards associated with
combustible dusts. The objectives include an overview
of what makes a dust combustible, the ve elements of a
dust explosion, which industries have combustible dust
hazards, the management of combustible dust areas, the
applicable codes and standards that help control and
mitigate combustible dust hazards, and a discussion on
why the identication and management of combustible
dusts is critical. The presentation concludes with a
discussion of case studies related to combustible dust
res and explosions.
David Young, PE, CFPS
INL Fire Marshal
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
4:-4:30 p.m. Conference closing remarks,
announcement of board election
results, and drawings
Thursday, May 16, continued
Register online at safetyseries.cventevents.com/vpp24
17
For pre-registration return by Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
After this date, a conrmation letter cannot be guaranteed. Some sessions may close; if you
intend to register on-site, call for session availability, 503-947-7411.
Please return this registration and payment to:
Region X VPPPA Conference FAX: 503-947-7019
PO Box 5640
Salem, OR 97304-0640 (Federal tax ID: 82-0489420)
Make payable to Region X VPPPA Amount enclosed: $ ________________________
Oce use only
Date Rec. ______________________
Amt. Rec.
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number will be shredded after processing.
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Questions?
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Email:
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Company: ______________________________________________________________________
Business address: ________________________________________________________________
City: _________________________________ State: ________ ZIP: ________________________
Phone: _______________________ Ext.: _____ Alternate phone: ________________________
Email: ____________________________________________ (required for conrmation; no duplicate emails)
Is this the rst Region X VPPPA Conference you’ve attended? Yes No
Registration Form
28th Annual
May 14-16, 2024
Anchorage Marriott Downtown
and Dena’ina Center
Anchorage, Alaska
Registration fees
Workshops – May 14
Choose between full-day workshops or up to two half-day workshops
– Mark if attending. Select workshop(s) on next page.
Tuesday, May 14
.......................................... $200
Conference – May 15 & 16 (Mark one option.)
Select sessions to attend on the next page.
Wednesday & Thursday, May 15 & 16 (non-member)
....... $400
Wednesday & Thursday, May 15 & 16 (member)
.............$375
Member #
_____________________________________________
Is this a full membership? Yes Don’t know
One day – Wednesday, May 15
............................ $200
One day – Thursday, May 16
............................... $200
Total enclosed $
____________
Payment (check, credit card information, or purchase order) must accompany registration form.
A separate registration form must be completed for each person registering. Select sessions to attend on the reverse
side of this form. If more than one person from your company will attend, a registration form must be made for
each person and a single check issued or credit card information included for the total amount.
18
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
8-11:30 a.m. Workshops
1 2 Boots on the Ground Ergonomics and Controlling Ergonomic
Hazards
1 2 Understanding Worker Wellness and Simple Steps Toward
Injury Prevention
1 2 VPP Application Workshop™ (8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
1 2 Foundations of Safety Leadership (8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
1 2 Usability Mapping: Risk-Ranked Operating Procedures and Safe
Work Practices (8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
12:30-4 p.m. Workshops
VPP Application Workshop™ (continued)
Foundations of Safety Leadership (continued)
Usability Mapping: Risk-Ranked Operating Procedures and
Safe Work Practices (continued)
1 2 VPP Re-approval, Ready, Set, Go!
1 2 Oense in Depth: The Dynamic Power of Sub Teams
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
7:30-11:45 a.m. Breakfast & Welcome/Keynote
Yes, I will attend Breakfast, Welcome, and Keynote
1:15-2:45 p.m. Sessions
1 2 Leveraging Virtual Teams for Enhanced Workplace Safety:
A Proposal for Establishing a Virtual Employee Safety
Team for VPP
1 2 Industrial Hygiene Considerations During Conned Space
Entry Operations
1 2 Is There a Problem HEAR?
1 2 Succession Planning for Safety Success
1 2 Conicts in the Workplace Are No Laughing Matter
1 2 Total Worker Health® Awareness for Safety Committees
3:30-5 p.m. Sessions
1 2 Choices … Reduce the Risk
1 2 Industrial Hygiene and Welding – What You Need to Know
1 2 Moving to a Risk-Based Approach in Behavior-Based Safety
1 2 Improving Safety Communication
1 2 What Is Needed in Your VPP Annual Self-Evaluation: Making
Your ASE Work for You!
1 2 Being Proactive Is Key in Ergonomics
7-10:00 p.m. Reception
Yes, I will attend the Networking Reception
Thursday, May 16, 2024
8:30-9:45 a.m. Breakfast, General Session, & Awards
Yes, I will attend Breakfast, Awards Presentation, and
General Session
10:30-11:45 a.m. Sessions
1 2 Improving Your Safety Culture Through Safety and Health
Management
1 2 Workplace Violence Prevention
1 2 Basic Electrical Safety Tips
1 2 Stepping Stones to Safety Excellence
1 2 The Unique Role of a Union Safety Representative
1 2 Employee Well-Being – a Holistic Approach
12:45-2 p.m. Sessions
1 2 Fabricating Our Way to a Safer, More Ecient Workplace
1 2 Culture of Safety Program
1 2 Let’s Not Be Silent About the Silent Killer, Carbon Monoxide:
How to Stay Safe at Work and Play
1 2 Ensuring Safety Through Inspired Leadership
1 2 Employee Led Safety Committees
1 2 Active Aggressor Preparedness
2:20-3:50 p.m. Sessions
1 2 Talk Saves Lives
1 2 How Should VPP Sites be Sampling and Analyzing Worker
Exposure Data? Limitations and Best Practices
1 2 Building a Lasting Safety Culture
1 2 How to Engage Your Workforce: Keeping Employee
Engagement Fresh
1 2 Mentoring and Outreach: What a Mentor Needs to Know
1 2 Understanding Combustible Dust Hazards
4-4:30 p.m. General Session and Closing
Yes, I will attend the Closing (announcement of board
election results and drawings)
Registrant’s name:
Session Registration
For each time period, circle rst (1) and second (2) choices.
Example: 1 2 Example class A
1 2 Example class B
1 2 Example class C
Indicate which industry you represent: (check one)
Agriculture
Construction
Food processing/manufacturing
Forest activities/logging
Foundries
Government/public administration
Healthcare
Manufacturing
Oil/gas
Transportation
Utilities
Warehousing
Wood products manufacturing
Other/not listed: _________________________
Are you a safety
committee member?
Yes No
Please indicate the number
of employees at your
worksite:
1 to 20 employees
21 to 50 employees
51 or more employees
Attendee prole (check one)
Employee
Management
Owner
Consultant
Other/not listed: _____________________
Special accommodations
Check if you require special (ADA or dietary) services.
Attach a written description of your needs.
At this event you may be photographed. Photos, videos, or lm likeness may
be used for legitimate purposes by Region X VPPPA for promotional purposes
and/ or inclusion on Region X VPPPA websites.
