The Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation, through its affiliation with the Northern Minnesota Safety Council, is cosponsoring the Second Annual Northern Minnesota Safety Conference April 11 at Concordia Language Villages’ Spanish Village, located north of Lake Bemidji.
The daylong conference will feature several speakers and 10 break out sessions led by private consultants, local experts and Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Workplace Safety Consultation associates. Those attending will also have an opportunity to visit with vendors offering safety-related products and services.
The registration fee of $50 includes lunch and refreshments, and the registration deadline is March 30. Registration materials and additional information may be found online at www.cri-bsu.org. or be obtained by calling the CRI at 218-755-4900; or toll free, 888-738-3224. Participants are eligible to earn .55 CEUs.
The conference is designed for anyone interested in enhancing their knowledge of today’s leading safety issues including business owners, managers and employees who may be responsible for safety issues in the workplace.
The day’s guest speakers are Garry Kroft, senior safety specialist at S&N Consulting, Ltd., in Maple Grove, and Bob Sarna, MNOSHA northern area supervisor.
Kroft’s talk entitled “Spice it up: Turn Your Training from Bland to Grand” will offer powerful presentation tips to enhance the delivery of safety training along with warnings regarding techniques that are best avoided. He will also review the skills needed to financially analyze the benefits of effective safety training.
Sarna’s presentation, “Frequently Cited Safety Hazards,” will review some of the most frequently cited safety violations noted during inspections conducted n 2006. Hazard photos taken during the inspection process will be used as a basis for understanding why the conditions pose a danger and need to be remedied.
Break out session topics include lock out-tag out standards; workers compensation; crane operator certification requirements; AWAIR/ Right to Know program development; emergency preparedness for the workplace and families; and writing drug policy.
For more information contact the Center for Research and Innovation, Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218-755-4900; or toll free, 1-888-738-3224).