Arrival & Registration

50min

Welcome & Master of Ceremonies

Jill James, Chief Safety Officer, HSI

5min

Jill James

Jill James is Chief Safety Officer at HSI. Jill’s 30 year health and safety career includes 12 years as Senior Safety Investigator with OSHA, [...]

Opening Keynote Presentation – The Voice of Health and Safety in North America

Tyron McGurgan, Chief Executive Officer, Focus Network

In this presentation, we will delve into the latest trends and challenges that health and safety executives are currently facing in the United States, based on extensive local research and data collation. As the field of health and safety continues to evolve, executives need to stay updated on the emerging trends and navigate the associated challenges effectively.

We will explore key areas that are significantly impacting health and safety practices, providing valuable insights to help executives adapt and lead their organizations to success.

20min

Tyron McGurgan

Tyron McGurgan is an accomplished entrepreneur, media specialist, and events professional with over 17 years of experience in the industry. He is [...]

Keynote Presentation – Partnership for Safety Success, Collaborating for a Safer Workplace

Dana Dawsey, VP EHS, Pentair

Collaborating for a Safer Workplace delves into the critical role of collaboration in achieving safety excellence. This presentation highlights how building strong partnerships among safety professionals, employees, management, and external stakeholders can significantly enhance safety outcomes and foster a culture of shared responsibility.

Attendees will explore practical strategies for creating and sustaining effective safety partnerships, including communication techniques, trust-building methods, and engagement practices. Real-world examples will demonstrate how successful collaborations have led to improved safety performance, reduced incidents, and a more resilient workplace.

Participants will gain insights into the benefits of a partnership approach, such as enhanced problem-solving, innovative safety solutions, and increased commitment to safety initiatives. By the end of this session, you will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to cultivate robust safety partnerships that drive success and ensure the well-being of your workforce.

30min

Dana Dawsey

Dana Dawsey is a seasoned Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Executive with nearly two decades of experience managing and advancing [...]

Keynote Panel Discussion – Safeguarding Our Workplaces with effective Strategies for Violence Prevention and Response

Panellists:

Rob Warfel, Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police, Xavier University

Brian Burre, VP, Environmental, Health, Safety & Security, Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Craig Jensen, Director of Safety and Damage Control, Metronet

Moderator:

Jill James, Chief Safety Officer, HSI

• Recognizing early warning signs of potential violence
• Implementing comprehensive risk assessment protocols
• Developing and maintaining a culture of safety and respect
• Training employees on de-escalation techniques and emergency procedures
• Leveraging technology for enhanced security measures
• Collaborating with law enforcement and mental health professionals

30min

Rob Warfel

I’m a retired Agent and Supervisory Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. After 22 years of service, I continue serving a [...]

Brian Burre

Career environmental, health, and safety professional with 30 years of leadership experience. Early adopter and skilled practitioner in human and [...]

Craig Jensen

My current role is Director of Safety and Damage Prevention for Metronet. Metronet is one of the fastest growing 100% fiber providers in the [...]

Jill James

Jill James is Chief Safety Officer at HSI. Jill’s 30 year health and safety career includes 12 years as Senior Safety Investigator with OSHA, [...]

Keynote Presentation – The Space Shuttle Columbia Crew Survival Investigation

Nigel Packham, Associate Director, Safety and Mission Assurance, NASA Johnson Space Centre

On February 1^st 2003, early on a crisp, sunny Winter’s morning, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over the skies of Texas taking with her the lives of all seven crewmembers aboard. The crew of Columbia had spent the previous 16 days in space performing ground-breaking science experiments and was anticipating a happy reunification with family and friends after they landed at Kennedy Space Center later that day. It was not to be. The fate of Columbia and her precious crew was sealed as soon as the commitment to the de-orbit burn was given to drop them out of low Earth orbit.

Many will question why, after over 20 years have passed since that fateful day, we still continue to communicate the events that led up to and which progressed during Columbia’s atmospheric entry.

Ironically perhaps, now is the most opportune time to do so. Today’s commercial space industry is expanding at an alarming rate, not just in the area of payload deployment in the near Earth region, but in response to much, much wider and loftier destinations. Proposed designs for flying astronauts are appearing, it would seem, almost daily. If providers of such services are unaware of the details behind the tragic lessons that we, NASA, have learned, then no-one can expect that the same mistakes will not happen over and over again. Since the accident, a small group of the investigation team have given the presentation to over 85,000 people world-wide in an attempt to spread the word as widely as possible.

This presentation examines what happened to the crew and the crew module of Columbia during entry. It does not address the cause of the accident. That was more than adequately addressed by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, formed on the day of the accident as a Presidential Commission. It will examine the five events that occurred post de-orbit burn that had lethal potential. By evaluating each event in turn, a picture of crew survivability for future accidents can be painted. Of course, the Columbia crew experienced all five events from which there was no hope of survival.

Should you wish to read about the investigation in detail, please go to:

https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/298870main_SP-2008-565.pdf

30min

Nigel Packham

Experienced Safety Director with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Skilled in Safety Management [...]

Networking Break

20min

Keynote Presentation – Setting the strategic foundations for OHS excellence

Jess Daly, Chief Strategy Officer, Everyday Massive

In this keynote, we will explore how a well-defined strategy can establish and enhance occupational health and safety practices in any workplace. Beyond setting a roadmap for safety, a good strategy can help ensure all safety initiatives, programs and campaigns are seamless and reinforcing, creating a culture where safety measures are integrated rather than imposed.

Everyday Massive’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jess Daly, will outline how strategic planning in safety can lead to substantial improvements across five of the domains that influence a worker’s safety experience.

• Leadership: Demonstrating how strategic direction can empower leaders to champion safety initiatives.
• Accountability: Showing the role of a clear strategy in delineating responsibilities, thereby increasing accountability at all levels.
• Awareness: Discussing how strategies enhance awareness of safety protocols among the workforce.
• Engagement: Illustrating the correlation between strategic initiatives and higher engagement from employees.
• Embedding: Examining how strategies help embed safety into the daily activities and decision-making processes within an organisation.

Through real-world case studies and actionable insights, attendees will see how thoughtfully crafted strategies have led to notable enhancements in safety outcomes.

30min

Jess Daly

Jess Daly works as the Chief Strategy Officer at Everyday Massive. She joined Everyday Massive in 2022 after a 20-year career spent asking [...]

Keynote Presentation – Getting an EHS seat in the C-Suite

John Fischer, Director Corporate EHS and Environment Strategy, Duke Energy

30min

John Fischer

A senior leader with a proven track record leading organizations toward desired outcomes utilizing a visionary outlook and business strategy. [...]

Speaker Presentation – Moving the Needle with Alternative Metrics in Today’s Complex Workforce: Current State Challenges Alongside the Opportunity for Alternative Metrics

Scott DeBow, Principal HS&E, Avetta

This session builds momentum on the importance of moving beyond traditional health & safety (H&S) metrics, particularly as it relates to SIF Intervention strategy alongside additional focus on Leading and Severity- based Metrics.

This engaging session discusses key health & safety performance metrics, the strength of their signals toward SIF Prevention and how those metrics influence operational leaders in focusing H&S resources.

We will explore other leading and severity-based metrics that better represent and predict performance, particularly regarding severe injuries and fatalities for today’s complex, dynamic workforce.

30min

Scott DeBow

Scott DeBow, CSP, ARM serves as Principal of Health/Safety & Environmental for Avetta – the leading provider of supply chain risk management [...]

Networking Lunch

40min

Breakout Session – C.A.A.R.E. for Safety

Walter Fluharty, SVP EHS, Simon Roofing

Come to this lively and interactive workshop and learn how one of the largest privately owned commercial roofing companies created an engaging safety culture ranking them among the best safety performers in the industry. Learn how to develop an outline that will help your employees C.A.A.R.E. for Safety™ by;

Clarifying your company’s safety objectives.

Assessing the barriers to achieving your company’s safety objectives.

Aligning every employee’s personal goals to your companies safety objectives.

Re-enforcing the behaviors that will assure attainment of your company’s safety objectives.

Evaluating and adjusting as needed.

When you leave the session, you will have the blueprint for a new set of tools to take your first steps toward an aligned safety culture.

30min

Dr. Walter C. Fluharty

Dr. Walter C. Fluharty is currently Sr. Vice President – Environmental Health and Safety – for Simon Roofing and is responsible for safety [...]

Breakout Session – The fusion of HOP and Energy-Based Safety

Brian Burre, VP, Environmental, Health, Safety & Security, Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Few teams have the privilege to build an EHS program from scratch for a new company, let alone a new industry! As we Endeavor to build a fusion industry, we must simultaneously build a fusion safety program.  This session will look at our tenets, or foundation truths

Key takeaways include:

• Understand how Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles can enhance safety practices.
• Learn practical strategies for integrating HOP methods into your current safety protocols.

30min

Brian Burre

Career environmental, health, and safety professional with 30 years of leadership experience. Early adopter and skilled practitioner in human and [...]

Breakout Session – Gaining Executive Level Buy-in to Build a Strong Safety Culture from the Top Down

Winston Newman, Director of Safety, Kaufman Lynn Construction

• Understanding where executive priorities reside to align safety strategy and priorities.
• Developing a roadmap of strong safety policies at the project and organizational level.
• Creating a future safety roadmap and the tools required to secure corporate interest.

30min

Winston Newman

Winston Newman is an experienced safety professional in the construction industry and currently the Corporate Director of Safety at Kaufman Lynn [...]

Keynote Panel Discusssion – Guiding Teams Through Challenges and Change with Effective Leadership

Panellists:

Tyrone Farmer, Senior Director, Corporate Safety, Dycom Industries

James Simpson, VP Safety and Risk Management, Sanitation Specialists

Nathaniel Miller, NA Director of Safety Security and Business Continuity Planning, Gordon Food Service

Moderator:

Leadership in health and safety is crucial for navigating the complexities and challenges of today's workplace environments. Senior Health and Safety Directors play a pivotal role in shaping safety cultures, driving initiatives, and ensuring the well-being of their teams.

This panel discussion will delve into the essential qualities and strategies that define effective leadership in health and safety. It will explore how leaders can inspire their teams, manage risks, adapt to changes, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Takeaways Include:

• Explore what effective leadership looks like in the context of health and safety.
• The core qualities and skills required for leaders to influence positive safety outcomes.
• Examine common challenges faced by health and safety leaders, such as compliance issues, changing regulations, and workforce engagement.
• Understand the role of leadership in driving change and innovation within health and safety practices.
• Explore ways to engage employees at all levels, encourage reporting and feedback, and recognize and reward safety achievements.
• Addressing the importance of mentoring and developing the next generation of health and safety leaders.
• The importance of adaptability, resilience, and proactive leadership in the face of change.

30min

Tyrone Farmer

Responsible for ensuring the development and continuous improvement of World-Class Environmental, Health and Safety programs. Provide [...]

Nathaniel Miller

With nearly 30 years of advanced health and safety (EHS) experience, Nate Miller is a results-driven professional renowned for his comprehensive [...]

James Simpson

Creates, and leads the implementation of worksite practices and training programs across the organization in partnership with the leadership team [...]

Speaker Session – Digital EHS and Sustainability in the Age of AI

Kent Kelsch, VP Subscriber Services, Benchmark Gensuite

The adoption of AI exploded faster than any new technology we have seen in the market. The myriad of strategies to incorporate AI into company culture and work environments has been THE topic of 2024.

30min

Kent Kelsch

I'm Vice President of Services for a software company with 15+ years in Service Management, Sales, Process Improvement, and Key Account [...]

Networking Break

15min

Breakout Session – Doing HOP Right

Rob Fisher, President, Fisher Improvement Technologies

HOP (Human and Organizational Performance) has been around for a while and still, companies struggle with how to effectively deploy the concepts to get the results you want.

This interactive round-table discussion will cover the concepts, methods, processes, and tools for effectively deploying HOP, regardless of what your company does.  

FIT has deployed the concepts effectively in over 400 organizations around the world. Hear about how Education (what and who you teach), Integration (Putting into day-to-day work), and Sustainability (this is how we do business) play into Doing HOP Right.

40min

Rob Fisher

Rob is a pioneer in Human and Organisational Performance and all aspects of performance improvement including incorporating the understanding of [...]

Breakout Session – Elevating Safety Engagement: Practical Tools from the Frontline

Tim Evans, CEO, Everyday Massive

Unlock the transformative power of engagement in health and safety practices during this dynamic roundtable. Drawing on research, this session will delve into innovative strategies and practical tools that are proven to foster deeper engagement in safety initiatives across various industries.

Participants in this roundtable will gain:

• A deeper understanding of the crucial role engagement plays in the success of health and safety programs.
• Hands-on skills to design and implement effective engagement strategies for your safety initiatives.
• Access to a set of robust tools and methods that can be applied annually to rejuvenate your approach and ensure a long-lasting impact on safety outcomes.

Ideal for safety leaders and professionals eager to enhance their programs' effectiveness, this roundtable promises practical takeaways that will empower you to connect with your teams and achieve tangible results in safety engagement.

40min

Timothy Evans

      Tim collaborates with leaders and teams across the globe to humanise safety and deliver safety, engagement and [...]

Breakout Session – Advancing Health & Safety Strategies: Implementing Alternative Metrics for a Dynamic Workforce

Scott DeBow, Principal HS&E, Avetta

Following the exploration of alternative metrics and their role in SIF (Serious Injuries and Fatalities) intervention strategies, this roundtable discussion delves deeper into the practical application of these metrics.

Participants will discuss the real-world challenges and opportunities in integrating leading and severity-based metrics into their health & safety (H&S) frameworks. The session will focus on how these metrics can drive proactive decision-making and resource allocation to enhance safety outcomes in today’s complex and evolving workforce environment.

Key Takeaways

• Gain insights into how leading and severity-based metrics can be effectively integrated into existing H&S strategies
• How to enhance SIF Prevention Strategies
• Explore the challenges associated with implementing alternative metrics in a dynamic workforce, including strategies for overcoming these barriers to improve overall safety culture and performance.

40min

Scott DeBow

Scott DeBow, CSP, ARM serves as Principal of Health/Safety & Environmental for Avetta – the leading provider of supply chain risk management [...]

Keynote Presentation – Can Safety Be Simple?

Shelley Baber, EHS Director, Eaton

With the use of technology on the rise and the value for safety increasing, exposures in the workplace are possibly being eliminated or controlled now more than ever. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence is looking to potentially reshape some of the ways we approach safety.  But, is there a way to still keep safety simple when it comes to interacting with the humans who actually perform the work?

During this session, we will discuss a few ways to lead with safety, while working to strengthen culture without overcomplicating the process, including how we ask questions during field engagements, and other leaderships interactions.

30min

Shelley Baber

Shelley Baber is an experienced safety and health leader with a passion for people who has more than 23 years of professional experience in varying [...]

Keynote Panel Discussion – Creating a Stigma-Free Workplace and Encouraging Mental Health Dialogue

Panellists:

Kenya Casey, Deputy, Chief Operations Officer, Global Health

Brie Minarik, Director of Training and Safety, HomeWorks Energy

Allan F. Preston, Director of Environmental, Health, & Safety, ASRC Federal

Christina Lindstrom, Safety Director, Campos Family of Companies

Blake Johnson, EHS Director, Airbus

Moderator:

Tyron McGurgan, CEO, Focus Network

In the modern workplace, mental health is a crucial component of overall employee well-being. Despite growing awareness, stigma around mental health issues persists, often preventing employees from seeking the help they need.

This panel discussion will explore strategies to create a stigma-free workplace, promote open dialogue about mental health, and foster a supportive environment where all employees feel valued and understood.

Key Takeaways Include:

• Learn how to develop and implement comprehensive mental health education programs that raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues for your employees
• Discover best practices for training employees and management to recognize signs of mental health struggles and how to respond appropriately.
• Ways of Building a Culture of Openness and Support.
• Gain insights into creating and enforcing policies that explicitly address and combat mental health stigma.
• Discover effective ways to provide employees with access to mental health resources, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), counselling services, and peer support networks.

30min

Kenya Casey

Kenya Casey is the new Deputy Chief Operations Officer (DCOO) for the Task Force for Global Health. As the DCOO, Ms. Casey provides business and [...]

Brie Minarik

Ambitious and passionate about a sustainable future while bringing an infectiously positive attitude to work every day. [...]

Allan F. Preston

Proven EHS professional more than 20 years demonstrated success, improving company performance, reducing risk, ensuring compliance, and realizing [...]

Christina Lindstrom

Bio coming [...]

Blake Johnson

Blake Johnson is the EHS Director at the Airbus Mobile Manufacturing Site with over a decade of experience across consulting, chemical, poultry, [...]

Tyron McGurgan

Tyron McGurgan is an accomplished entrepreneur, media specialist, and events professional with over 17 years of experience in the industry. He is [...]

Free Time

1h 20min

Networking Drinks

30min

Networking Dinner

2h 30min