2005 Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference ...

Southern Oregon 

Occupational 

Safety & Health 

Conference 

 

Smullin Center • Medford, Oregon 

October 19&20, 2005 

Supplemental workshop on October 18 (see inser t) 

A joint effort of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Southern Oregon 

Chapter, and the Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Division (Oregon OSHA).

ASSE 

Founded in 1911, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is 

the world’s oldest and largest professional safety organization. With 

more than 33,000 members, ASSE has 147 chapters and 60 student 

sections nationwide. 

The Southern Oregon Section was formed as a part of Eugene’s 

Cascade Chapter in 1990. In October of 1993, the section obtained chapter status. 

It is active in enhancing the role of safety professionals in Southern Oregon. 

The Southern Oregon chapter offers safety professionals, safety personnel, and safety 

committee members high-quality safety-and-health training in the form of conferences 

and workshops and monthly chapter meetings that feature an educational presentation 

on the latest workplace safety-and-health issues. The chapter offers many networking 

opportunities with members of the safety community, speakers, and professionals from 

the state and national arena. 

ASSE mission: to foster the technical, scientific, managerial, and ethical knowledge, 

skill, and competency of safety, health, and environmental professionals for the protection 

of people, property, and the environment and to enhance the status and promote 

the advancement of the safety profession. 

For additional information on membership in ASSE’s Southern Oregon Chapter, please 

contact Pamela Ahr, (541) 857-4203, or pamahr@saif.com. 

Oregon OSHA 

Oregon OSHA administers the Oregon Safe Employment Act (OSEA). 

OSEA authorizes enforcement of federal and state occupational-safetyand-health 

regulations and provides consultation, educational opportunities, 

technical assistance, and creative programs to assist employers and employees in 

Oregon. Oregon OSHA is committed to reducing occupational fatalities, injuries, 

and illnesses, thereby reducing human suffering and workers’ compensation costs. 

For technical assistance, training opportunities, or information about conferences, 

please call (503) 378-3272, or, toll-free, (888) 292-5247, option 1. For consultative 

services, call (800) 922-2689 or our Medford office, (541) 776-6030. 

Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference

Table of Contents 

 

ASSE & Oregon OSHA ........................................inside front cover 

Invitation from ASSE .....................................................................2 

Invitation from Oregon OSHA .....................................................3 

Conference information & services 

Who should attend ...............................................................4 

Registration ..........................................................................4 

Refunds ................................................................................4 

Lodging ................................................................................4 

Continuing education credits ...............................................5 

Smoke- & alcohol-free policy ...............................................5 

Accommodations for disabilities ..........................................5 

Map to the Smullin Center ...................................................5 

Schedule at a glance ................................................................ 6-7 

Session descriptions 

Wednesday ..........................................................................8 

Thursday ............................................................................12 

Speaker biographies ............................................................. 18-27 

Planning committee .......................................... inside back cover 

Conference registration form ..................................................insert 

Tuesday workshop registration form .......................................insert 

Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference 

1

Invitation from ASSE 

The Southern Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers is proud 

to have been a part of the process of creating and planning this regional conference 

for the past fifteen years. 

Through the partnership with Oregon OSHA, our chapter has worked to provide 

opportunities for participants to learn more about improving safety and health in the 

lives of southern Oregon workers. We strive to maintain a high standard of quality in 

this conference. Each year we work to improve the planning process and build upon 

the success of previous years. 

As we review conference history, we see a wide variety of speakers that have presented 

at past conferences. Many have spoken at national conferences and are well 

known in the “safety and health world.” Joe Estey brought his upbeat presentation 

style to inspire us to be creative and think “out of the box.” Anne French challenged 

us to change our culture by changing safety behaviors. Last year, Robert Sweetgall, 

clad in his walking attire, literally had us “on our feet” as he convinced us that wellness 

programs and healthy living doesn’t have to be complicated and expensive. 

Dozens of other presenters have come to our conference each year to share inspiring 

ideas, educational information, and important compliance information. 

The conference is made possible by the strong relationship developed between 

Oregon OSHA and our chapter. This relationship is strengthened by our conference 

planning committee. They are a group of dedicated individuals who donate their 

time and energy to the creative process of planning the annual conference. The 

process consists of 12 months of preparation and hundreds of hours of planning. 

The conference would not be possible without this group of committed individuals. 

We are also grateful for the support of local employers who support us through their 

sponsorship. 

If you have never attended the conference, I urge you to participate. Review the 

program to select classes that can assist you or your company gain knowledge to 

improve your current programs. The committee strives each year to provide a wide 

variety of topics. They include both the important basics to create a good safety 

foundation and also new creative topics relevant to our times and current issues. 

I am confident you will find value in attending. We hope to see you there. 

Connie Gibbs 

President 

American Society of Safety Engineers 

Southern Oregon Chapter 


2

Invitation from Oregon OSHA 

 

Advancing workplace safety and health for all workers in Oregon is the mission of the 

Department of Consumer and Business Services, Occupational Safety and Health Division 

(Oregon OSHA). Oregon OSHA recognizes that developing strong partnerships, including 

working with the Southern Oregon chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers, are 

vital to help employers transform their ‘safety program’ into a safety and health philosophy 

that promotes business growth and keeps workers returning home safely at the end of the 

work day. 

Workplace injury and illness rates have been falling for the past twelve years in Oregon 

because employers and workers are committed to creating safer places to work. During 

that same period, employers have also seen the financial benefit of workers’ compensation 

premiums reduced an average of 57 percent, making Oregon’s workers compensation rates 

35th in the nation for cost during 2002. 

Workplace safety and health is a cooperative effort - it’s all about employers, workers and 

government joining together to create a climate where workplace safety and health is not 

viewed as an expense, but a valued benefit. Oregon OSHA is here to be your partner in 

ensuring a safe place to work. 

Training is an important part of creating safer workplaces – please attend the 2005 Southern 

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Conference. 


3

Conference Information & Services 

Who should attend 

All those responsible for the prevention 

of injuries and illnesses in the workplace, 

including safety-and-health professionals, 

safety committee members, managers, 

supervisors, employees, owners, and other 

interested persons. 

Registration 

Registration for some sessions is limited, 

so please register early. Registrations will 

be accepted by mail and by fax. If you are 

faxing registrations, be sure to fax both sides 

of the form. Faxes will be accepted only if 

accompanied by credit card information. If 

space is available, you may register at the 

conference. 

The fee for the full conference (Wednesday 

and Thursday) is $120. One-day (Wednesday 

or Thursday) registration fee is $80. Half-day 

(Wednesday or Thursday) registration fee is 

$50. Registration fees include speaker-handout 

materials, refreshment breaks, and lunch 

on the days you are registered. 

A separate registration form must be completed 

for each person registering. If more 

than one person from your company will 

attend, photocopy the registration form for 

each person and use a credit card or issue a 

check for the total amount. 

Complete the enclosed registration form 

and send it with your check or fax it with 

credit card information to (503) 947-7462. 

Make check payable to: 

Southern Oregon Conference 

PO Box 5640 

Salem, OR 97304-0640 

All parts of the registration 

form must be completed. If not, 

forms will be returned for you to 

complete before we can process 

your registration. 

For additional information about the conference, 

call the Conference Section at 

(503) 947-7441, (503) 378-3272, or toll-free 

(888) 292-5247, option 1. 

Refunds 

If you need to cancel your registration, 

please submit your request in writing for 

review by the conference planning committee. 

Substitutions are permissible. 

Lodging 

Attendees are responsible for making their 

own lodging arrangements. The motel offering 

a special conference rate is listed below. 

You will need to mention that you are calling 

for the Southern Oregon Conference room 

block. Specify your preference for a nonsmoking 

or smoking room. All reservations 

received after October 3, 2005, will be 

accepted on a space-available basis. 

Comfort Inn South 

60 East Stewart 

Medford, Oregon 

(541) 772-8000 

Rate: $68 plus tax 

For a list of other local motels, call 

the Medford Chamber of Commerce at 

(541) 779-4847. 

Pre-registration deadline 

October 12, 2005 


4

Continuing education 

credits 

If you need CEUs to keep certifications or 

licenses current, complete the form provided 

in your on-site attendee packet. This 

form will be proof of attendance at sessions 

you wish to submit for accreditation. Submit 

your form — with required signatures, 

program descriptions of applicable sessions, 

and speaker biographies — directly to your 

accrediting organization, and keep a copy 

for your records. 

Map to 

Smullin Center 

Smoke- & alcohol-free policy 

In keeping with the purpose of the conference 

and our commitment to occupational 

safety and health, all meeting rooms and 

conference activities are smoke-free. No 

alcoholic beverages will be provided at any 

conference event. 

Accommodations for 

disabilities 

Smullin Center is wheelchair accessible. 

Information about additional services for the 

disabled is available at the Smullin Center 

reception desk. 

N 

Exit 27 

I-5 

Black Oak 

Drive 

Siskiyou Boulevard 

Parking 

Garage 

Smullin 

Center 

Medical 

Center 

Drive 

S 

Murphy 

Road 


2825 E Barnett Rd. 

Medford, Oregon 

Barnett Road 

Rogue 

Valley 

Medical 

Center 

Co-sponsorship of this conference by the Southern Oregon Chapter of the American Society of 

Safety Engineers and Oregon OSHA does not necessarily constitute endorsement or approval 

of the content of programs. Employers and employees should review applicable rules and 

regulations to ensure that the information they have received is appropriate to their specific 

worksite and work situation. ASSE is financially responsible for conference arrangements and 

commitments. 


5

Schedule at a glance 

Wednesday, October 19 

6:45 a.m. Early-bird Walk 

7:30 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast 

7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Exhibits open (Wednesday only) 

8:15-8:30 a.m. Welcome 

8:30-9 a.m. Keynote: Harnessing Stress Power 

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Session 1 

• Breaking the Chain of Accident Repetition: 

Helping “Accident Repeaters” 

(9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) 

• What SHARP and VPP Can Do For Your 

Company (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) 

• Making Noise About Noise 

• Safety Committee Problem Solving 

10:30-11 a.m. Break; exhibits open 

12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch (provided); prize drawing; 

exhibits open 

1:30-4:30 p.m. Session 2 

• Black-Belt Leadership: Applying Martial Arts 

Methods to Dynamic Leadership 

• Arthritis in the Workplace 

• Forklift Safety 

• Accident Investigation 

2:45-3:15 p.m. Break; exhibits open 


6

Schedule at a glance 

 

Thursday, October 20 

7:30 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast 

8 a.m.-noon Session 3 

• Effective Safety Accountability Systems 

for Safety Excellence 

• Identity Theft, Drugs in the Workplace 

and Impact on Safety 

• Electrical Safety 

• Legal and Cultural Issues in the Workplace 

• Improving Safety Programs Through Hazard 

Assessment and Safety-Orientation Training 

• Putting the HEALTH into Occupational Safety 

and Health Programs 

9:30-9:45 a.m. Break 

Noon-1:30 p.m. 

Lunch (provided) 

Awards Presentation 

(begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Auditorium); 

prize drawing follows 

1:30-4:30 p.m. Session 4 

• Advanced Fall Protection 

• Ladder Safety 

• Practical Approach to Ergonomics 

• Current Mental Health Issues and Their 

Impact on the Workplace (1:30-2:45 p.m.) 

• Driving Safety — Are You Prepared to be 

a Defensive Driver? 

• Managing the Human Resources Side 

of Safety 

2:45-3 p.m. Break 


7

Session Descriptions 

Wednesday, October 19 

6:45 a.m. 

Early-bird Walk 

Continuing the tradition that began in 2004, 

this pre-conference sunrise stride starts at 

the conference center promptly at 6:45 a.m. 

Walk ends at approximately 7:30 a.m. 

7:30 a.m. 

Registration and 

continental breakfast 

7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 

Exhibits open (Wednesday only) 

8:15-8:30 a.m. 

Welcome 

Jim McNeil 

Swanson Group, Inc., Glendale 

Michael Wood 

Administrator, Oregon OSHA, Salem 

8:30-9 a.m. 

Keynote: Harnessing 

Stress Power 

Stress contributes to many types of safety 

problems, directly leading to accidents and 

indirectly affecting morale, communications, 

and planning. This presentation focuses 

on innovative personal and organizational 

strategies and methods for harnessing 

stress as a positive force for greater safety, 

health, and involvement — as well as 

enhanced productivity and motivation. 

Robert Pater 

Managing Director 

Strategic Safety Associates, Portland 

SESSION 1 

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

Breaking the Chain of 

Accident Repetition: Helping 

“Accident Repeaters” 

(9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) 

A few “accident repeaters” seem to account 

for a large share of injuries. But accident 

repetition involves more than a few problem 

employees. Accident repetition has 

multiple causes – and there are many types 

of repeaters. It is possible to significantly 

reduce accident repetition by focusing on 

a skills-based approach that turns around 

patterns of repetition. 

This seminar provides a systematic approach 

that has been shown to prevent 

initial incidents from turning into repeat 

problems and break the chain of long-standing 

accident repetition. 

Objectives: 

• Better understand the hidden problems in 

accident repetition 

• Recognize five kinds of accident repeaters 

and three forces in accident causation 

• Learn a systematic approach to reducing 

multiple incidents 

• Explore innovative interventions that break 

the chain of accident repetition 

Robert Pater 




8


 

What SHARP and VPP Can 

Do for Your Company 

(9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) 

This workshop is presented by representatives 

from four Oregon SHARP companies 

who have moved into VPP. They will share 

some of the benefits their companies have 

realized through their involvement with 

these two voluntary compliance programs. 

Mark E. Hurliman, CSHM 

VPP/SHARP Program Manager 

Oregon OSHA, Salem 

A panel of SHARP and 

VPP Sites 

Making Noise About Noise 

Work-related hearing loss is the number one 

cause of nonfatal health problems in the U.S. 

It is also one of the most ignored. In many 

workplaces, hearing conservation consists 

only of providing ear plugs or ear muffs. 

This class touches on OSHA requirements 

for hearing-conservation programs but focuses 

on ideas for training workers to value 

their hearing, best practices for effective 

hearing-conservation programs, and prevention 

of hearing loss. Attendees receive a 

sample program and training resources 

they can use to educate employees. Covers 

techniques to motivate employees to wear 

hearing protection and practical noise-engineering 

control measures that may reduce 

employee exposures. 

Safety Committee 

Problem Solving 

Effective safety committees solve problems! 

This fun hands-on how-to workshop is 

packed with ideas that safety committees 

can use to solve problems they identify 

in the workplace and safety management 

system. Through case study, simulations, 

and discussion, the basic steps in the problem-solving 

process are applied. Various 

problem-solving techniques such as mind 

mapping, brainstorming, and instant priorities 

are used to solve real-world problems 

identified by participants. 

Steven J. Geigle, MA, CSHM 

Senior Safety Education Specialist 

Oregon OSHA, Portland 

10:30-11 a.m. 

Break; exhibits open 

12:30-1:30 p.m. 

Lunch (provided); 

prize drawing; exhibits open 

Zandra Walton, MSPH, CIH 

Industrial Hygiene Team Manager 

Liberty Mutual Insurance, Portland 


9

Wednesday continued 


SESSION 2 

1:30-4:30 p.m. 

Black-Belt Leadership: 

Applying Martial Arts 

Methods to Dynamic 

Leadership 

Martial arts strategies and principles of 

leverage, self-control, motivation, and use 

of natural forces have been successfully applied 

to leading organizational safety efforts. 

This seminar focuses on practical methods 

for boosting strategy, leadership power, and 

organizational strength. 

Topics: 

• Martial arts and leadership 

• Developing black belt safety 

• Three keys to change and development 

• Martial arts principles for professional 

effectiveness 

• Leveraged strategies and techniques for 

advancing personal and professional 

effectiveness 

Robert Pater 



Arthritis in the Workplace 

Arthritis appears in many different forms 

and affects workers in many ways. An 

understanding of arthritis, the treatments 

that are available, and how disease and 

treatment affects a worker’s ability to work 

is vital to an efficient and harmonious 

worksite. 

H. Walter Emori, MD, PC 

Physician, Rheumatology 

Osteoporosis Center, Medford 

Janis G. Gubser, OTR/L, CHT 

Supervisor, Providence WORKS 

Providence Hospital & Medical Center, 

Ashland 

Forklift Safety 

With more than one million forklifts operating 

in the U.S. today, safe operations and 

effective operator training are top priorities. 

This workshop introduces participants to 

OSHA’s powered industrial truck standard 

and includes an in-depth review of operator 

training. Program discusses safe work 

practices and other topics not specifically 

addressed in the standard, including center 

of gravity, fulcrum point, and seat restraints. 

Variable-reach (rough terrain) forklifts and 

skid-steer loaders (Bobcats) will also be 

addressed. 

Craig Hamelund 

Safety Education Specialist 



10


 

Accident Investigation 

Fact: In most workplaces, accident investigation 

procedures are not as effective as they 

can be. The cause: Poor design and performance 

of the accident investigation plans. 

The solution: Application of the concepts 

and principles presented in this workshop. 

Safety committees required by OAR 437- 

001-0765(6)(g) to establish procedures 

for investigating incidents and accidents. 

This workshop introduces participants to a 

proactive six-step event analysis and system 

evaluation that emphasizes fact-finding, 

surface-and-root-cause analysis, and safety 

management system evaluation. 

Steven J. Geigle, MA, CSHM 

Senior Safety Education Specialist 


2:45-3:15 p.m. 

Break; exhibits open 


11



7:30 a.m. 

Registration and 

continental breakfast 

SESSION 3 

8 a.m.-noon 

Effective Safety 

Accountability Systems 


This session is designed for the business 

owner, manager, and safety professional 

who wants to develop a highly effective 

safety-accountability system for his or her 

organization. Topics covered: 

• Setting clear and attainable activity and 

results-based safety goals 

• Communicating safety objectives at all 

levels of the organization 

• Developing a behavior-based safety 

program that incorporates safety objectives 

• Creating a culture of accountability 

through positive feedback 

• Incorporating safety into the performance 

evaluation system 

• The role of progressive discipline in the 

accountability system 

• Safety-incentive systems that really work to 

reinforce the accountability system without 

discouraging reporting of injuries 

Kirk L. Jacobson, ARM, ALCM 

Regional Human Resources Manager 

Timber Products Company, Medford 

Identity Theft, Drugs in the 

Workplace and the Impact 

on Safety 

Covers identity theft trends; how criminals 

accumulate information and how it is 

converted for the process of identity theft; 

and how criminals use these processes 

to distribute the victim’s assets. Effective 

countermeasures for protecting assets and 

reputation from identity theft are provided. 

Today’s drug and alcohol addictions are at 

an all time high. The second part of this session 

provides an in-depth look at how drugs 

and alcohol have affected the workplace 

and impacted safety. Intervention measures 

to help resolve the drug and alcohol 

epidemic are discussed. 

Speaker TBA 

Electrical Safety 

Using a three-dimensional, high-voltage 

demonstration board, Marc explains the 

basic properties of electricity; how it is generated 

and distributed; and how to work, 

play and live safely around it. In addition to 

a general discussion of electric safety, this 

program addresses the hazards specific to 

contractors and others working outdoors 

with equipment that may contact overhead 

and underground power lines. 

Marc Zurcher 

Line Foreman 

Pacific Power, Medford 


12


 

Legal and Cultural Issues 

in the Workplace 

Part 1: ADA and its Impact 

on Today’s Workforce 

(8-8:45 a.m.) 

Some of the issues to be explored in this 

session: 

• What is a protected class requiring reasonable 

accommodation? 

• What is medical profiling? 

• When is it good business to practice 

discrimination? 

Part 2 : Fitness for Duty: 

Legal Do’s and Don’ts 

(8:45-9:30 a.m.) 

What kind of medical exams can an 

employer request under current federal and 

state law to determine fitness for duty in the 

workplace? Is it legal to request a medical 

exam after someone has been released to 

return to work following medical leave, or 

for an aging worker who is no longer able to 

perform his or her essential job functions? 

Charles E. Bolen 

Partner 

Hornecker, Cowling, Hassen & Heysell, 

Medford 

Ryan J. Vanderhoof 

Partner 

Hornecker, Cowling, Hassen & Heysell, 

Medford 

Part 3: Bridging the 

Generation Gap — 

When Generations Collide 

(9:45 a.m.-noon) 

Generational issues are the newest form of 

diversity to hit the business scene, affecting 

recruiting, retaining, managing, and motivating 

employees. Today, four generations 

may be sitting at the same conference table 

creating confusion and conflict as each 

generation acts from it’s own view of the 

world. Generational conflicts are called 

“clash points.” Learn how you can diffuse 

and even capitalize on the differences 

between generations. The session describes 

traditionalists, baby-boomers, generation 

X-ers, and millennials, (Gen-Y’s), and 

discusses new diversity issues based on 

the book, “When Generations Collide,” 

by Lynne C. Lancaster and David Stillman. 

Participants analyze workplace vignettes 

and explore the dynamics of four generations 

co-existing in the workplace. 

Tamara Nordin 

Vice President – Human Resources 

Pacific Retirement Services/ 

Rogue Valley Manor, Medford 


13


Thursday continued 

Improving Safety Programs 

Through Hazard Assessment 

and Safety-Orientation 

Training 

Identifying and controlling workplace 

hazards involves more than simply “looking 

for hazards.” Attendees learn to identify 

hazards and apply control strategies through 

hazard assessment and control, and then 

job hazard analysis. Learn how to inform 

and train employees on the hazards of their 

new jobs and avoid new employees being 

injured during the first year of employment. 

• Learn to identify hazardous conditions 

and practices in the workplace, determine 

causes, and recommend control strategies 

to reduce or eliminate those hazards 

• Learn to recognize which jobs and/or tasks 

need a job hazard analysis and how to 

complete a JHA 

• Understand why we conduct safety 

training 

• Learn to recognize the elements of an 

effective safety training program and the 

stages, instruction, and techniques 

Ben Carlson 

Senior Loss Prevention consultant 

Liberty Northwest Insurance, Eugene 

John N. Graham 

Senior Loss Prevention Consultant 

Liberty Northwest Insurance, Medford 

Putting the HEALTH into 

Occupational Safety and 

Health Programs 

How well is your workplace managing 

employee exposures to chemicals, noise, 

ergonomic risks, or biologic hazards? What 

is really going to happen if an injured 

worker is bloodied? How do you know if 

your job site noise levels require controls? If 

that container of methyl-ethyl-stinko breaks 

open, should you evacuate, or can an 

employee safely respond? Do you know if 

the gloves you purchased are correct for the 

chemicals they’re used with? How do you 

handle complaints about air quality or lighting? 

At what point should you implement 

an ergonomics program? When do you ask 

an expert for assistance, and what can you 

reasonably do on your own? And what is 

the safety committee doing about all this? 

Occupational health and industrial hygiene 

is often hard to get a handle on. This class 

is geared toward managers, supervisors 

and safety committee members interested 

in improving their skills at addressing and 

managing occupational health issues. 

Karen L. Chase 

Senior Occupational Health Consultant 

Oregon OSHA, Medford 

Noon-1:30 p.m. 

Lunch (provided) 

Awards Presentation (begins at 

12:30 p.m. in the Auditorium); 

prize drawing follows 


14


 

Awards Presentation 


12:30-1:30 p.m. 

Smullin Center Auditorium 

This is an occasion for ASSE to recognize safety excellence 

and improvement and to thank our corporate sponsors for 

supporting efforts to provide health-and-safety-education 

opportunities in Southern Oregon. 

SESSION 4 

1:30-4:30 p.m. 

Advanced Fall Protection 

This class focuses on gravity as a hazard, 

and on identification and elimination of 

the hazard for both general industry and 

construction. Discusses codes, standards, 

regulations and vocabulary, although this 

is not a code class. Topics to be covered 

include elimination of hazards through 

engineering, guarding, and using authorized 

work platforms, nets, personal fall-arrest 

systems (PFAS), and rescue and retrieval. 

Covers field problems and solutions. Individual 

attendees may qualify as “competent 

persons” upon completion, at the discretion 

of their employers. 

Walter W. Want 

President 

Norwest Marketing, Newberg 


15 

Ladder Safety 

This presentation covers ladder accidents 

and fatalities, hazards, and the proper use 

and inspection of ladders. Upon completion 

of the presentation attendees will recognize 

the hazards associated with ladders, and 

be able to describe methods to control or 

minimize those hazards. This program is for 

anyone who uses a ladder. 

Dave Parsons 

Loss Control Consultant 

Associated General Contractors, 

Oregon Columbia Chapter, Wilsonville


Thursday continued 

Practical Approach to 

Ergonomics 

This session takes the mystery out of risk 

factor analysis and introduces participants 

to preferred work methods. Covers how 

to develop and implement an effective 

ergonomics program. Participants engage 

in exercises in historical analysis, risk-factor 

analysis, and risk-factor controls. 

Dave C. Black, CSP 

Safety Representative 

TOC Management Services, Eugene 

Current Mental Health 

Issues and Their Impact 

on the Workplace 

(1:30-2:45 p.m.) 

This workshop will focus on generating a 

lively discussion between participants and 

panel members on the following topics: 

• Mental health trends and their impact on 

employees and leaders 

• Employee Assistance Program services 

available to employers and for “free” EAPs 

• The role of EAPs in assisting, coaching, 

and supporting supervisors and managers 

• Potential impacts of the Mental Health 

Parity Act on employers 

• The importance of fostering a partnership 

among employers, insurance carriers, and 

EAPs in managing mental-health issues 

and costs 

• The value of EAP clinical effectiveness 

metrics to employers 

Rebbecca Maese, RN, MA 

EHS/EAP Director, Oregon Region 

Providence Health System, Portland 

Margy Plein, MS NCC 

Counselor, Employee Assistance 

Program 

Asante, Medford 

Andrea Woods, MS, LMFT 

Counseling Services EAP Manager 

Asante, Medford 

1:30-4:30 p.m. 

Driving Safety — Are You 

Prepared to be a Defensive 

Driver? 

This session offers employees defensive 

driving training that covers the following: 

• Skid training 

• Decision-making 

• Creating “soft space” around your vehicle 

• Review of cornering lines and turns 

• Height-driving adjustments 

• Negotiating intersections safely 

Bruce Combs 

Bend 


16


 

Managing the Human 

Resources Side of Safety 

This program is for human resource professionals, 

supervisors, management and safety 

officers and covers the following: 

• Violence in the workplace 

• Background checks and the Fair Credit 

Reporting Act 

• Harassment in the workplace 

• Injured-worker reinstatement rights 

• Compliance with the Americans with 

Disabilities Act and leave laws 

• Tips on firing a potentially violent 

employee 

Christine M. Meadows 

Attorney at Law 

Jordan Schrader, PC, Portland 

2:45-3 p.m. Break 


17

Speakers 

Dave C. Black, CSP 

Safety Representative 

TOC Management Services 

895 Country Club Drive A-160 

Eugene, OR 97401 

541-485-7296 

dave_black@toc.org 

Since 1984, Dave has been the safety representative 

in the Eugene field office for TOC 

Management Service. He has more than 25 

years of experience in industrial safety and 

health. Dave trains and advises management 

personnel on a variety of workplace 

issues, including employee relations, 

accident prevention administration, and 

OSHA compliance. He helps TOC members 

develop and implement their safety plans. 

Dave holds a bachelor of science in liberal 

arts from the University of Oregon, with 

course work focused on industrial sociology 

and employee relations. 

Topic: Practical Approach to 

Ergonomics 

Charles E. Bolen 

Partner 

Hornecker, Cowling, Hassen & Heysell 

717 Murphy Road 

Medford, OR 97504 

541-779-8900 

www.roguelaw.com 

Charles joined the firm in 1996, after 

receiving his law degree from Gonzaga University. 

He earned his undergraduate degree 

from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He 

became a partner is 2002. He specializes in 

civil litigation and has substantial experience 

with employment disputes, defense of 

workers’ compensation claims, and OSHA 

claims. 

Topic: Legal and Cultural 

Issues in the Workplace 


18

Speakers 

 

Ben D. Carlson 

Senior Loss Prevention 

Consultant 

Liberty Northwest Insurance Co. 

1600 Valley River Drive, Suite 290 

Eugene, OR 97401-2129 

541-342-1566, ext. 2903 

Ben has worked for Liberty Northwest 

Insurance since 1986, first in Portland and 

Central/Eastern Oregon, and then Eugene, 

in 1999. He has extensive experience in the 

workers’ compensation field, specializing 

in claims investigations and loss prevention 

consulting. Ben works with employers to 

analyze their safety programs and employee 

behaviors and recommend improvements. 

He also helps employers set up behaviorbased 

safety programs to reduce accident 

exposure. Ben is the regional coordinator of 

Liberty’s newest ergonomic-evaluation software 

tool, called “VidLiTeC” (video-based 

lifting technique coding system), based 

on the research by the Liberty Mutual Research 

Center for Safety & Health. It helps 

identify lifting risks and helps employers 

make decisions on ergonomic control 

alternatives. Ben is a 2004 recipient of the 

Liberty Mutual President’s Spirit of Liberty 

Award, honoring employees for extraordinary 

commitment to customer service and 

innovation. 

Topic: Improving Safety 

Programs Through 

Hazard Assessment and 

Safety-Orientation 

Training 

Karen L. Chase 

Senior Occupational Health 

Consultant 


1840 Barnett Road, Suite D 

Medford, OR 97504-8250 

541-776-6016 

karen.l.chase@state.or.us 

www.orosha.org 

Karen has worked in occupational health 

and industrial hygiene for Oregon OSHA 

for 15 years, the past 13 as an occupational 

health consultant in the Consultative 

Services Section. Her consultative work 

covers all aspects of occupational health 

for Oregon employers, including industrial 

hygiene surveys, training, public speaking, 

research, and safety and health management. 

Her previous occupational health 

experience includes work with federal 

OSHA and private consulting. 

Topic: Putting the HEALTH 

into Occupational 

Safety and Health 

Programs 


19

Bruce Combs 

60158 Cinder Butte Road 

Bend, OR 97702 

541-419-6472 

Bruce has 23 years of law-enforcement 

experience with the Eugene Police Department 

and the Oregon Police Academy. He 

started teaching drivers’ training in 1972. In 

1985, Bruce was appointed by the national 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration to 

a national task force for law-enforcement 

training standards. 

Topic: Driving Safety — Are 

You Prepared to be a 

Defensive Driver? 

H. Walter Emori, MD, PC 

Physician, Rheumatology 

Osteoporosis Center 

691 Murphy Road, Suite 105 


541-608-7511 

Dr. Emori is a rheumatologist and a member 

of several professional societies including 

the American College of Rheumatology, the 

American Bone and Mineral Society, the 

Oregon Rheumatology Alliance, and the 

American Federation for Clinical Research. 

His special interests are the development of 

new treatments for arthritis, the diagnosis 

and treatment of osteoporosis, the use of 

musculoskeletal ultrasonography for the 

diagnosis and management of disease, and 

the teaching of these interests in third-world 

countries. 

Topic: Arthritis in the 

Workplace 


20 

Steven J. Geigle 

MA, CSHM 

Speakers 

Senior Safety Education 

Specialist 


1750 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 112 

Portland, OR 97209-2533 

503-292-0654 

steven.geigle@comcast.net 


Steve has more than 25 years’ experience as 

a safety manager and educator with the U.S. 

Air Force, Embry-Riddle University, Utah 

State University, and Oregon OSHA. Since 

1990, Steve has presented hundreds of 

workshops throughout Oregon as a senior 

occupational safety education specialist. 

He has also received national recognition 

for developing Oregon OSHA’s innovative 

and popular Internet safety training courses. 

Steve is a certified safety health manager 

and a member of the Institute for Safety 

Health Management. 

Topics: Safety Committee 

Problem Solving 

Accident Investigation

Speakers 

 

John N. Graham 

Senior Loss Prevention 

Consultant 

Liberty Northwest Insurance 

925 Town Centre Drive, Suite C 


541-772-1931 x228 

John has worked for Liberty Northwest 

Insurance in Medford since 1993. He has 

been involved in the workers’ compensation 

field for over 25 years. His background 

includes working with companies to 

evaluate and assist in the development and 

implementation of workplace safety and accident-prevention 

programs. He emphasises 

behavior-based safety programs to reduce 

accident exposures. John has developed 

numerous industrial training programs to 

help companies reduce their incident rates. 

Topic: Improving Safety 

Programs Through 

Hazard Assessment 

and Safety-Orientation 

Training 

Janis G. Gubser, 

OTR/L, CHT 

Supervisor, Providence 

WORKS 

Prvidence Hospital & Medical Center 

158 Beacon Hill Lane 

Ashland, OR 97520 

541-488-5815 

Janis provides consultation services to local 

employers regarding exercises, job-site 

analyses, and job-site modifications. Some 

of Janis’ accomplishments include assisting 

in the development of a hand-rehabilitation 

program and the establishment of the 

injured worker program at Providence. She 

often presents lectures on hand rehabilitation. 

She received a bachelor’s degree in 

occupational therapy from the University of 

Puget Sound and a degree in applied physical 

education from Oregon State University. 

Janis is a member of the American Society 

of Hand Therapists. She received her certification 

from the Hand Therapy Certification 

Commission in 1991. 

Topic: Arthritis in the 

Workplace 


21

Speakers 

Craig Hamelund 

Safety Education Specialist 


1750 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 112 


503-229-5910 

craig.hamelund@state.or.us 


Craig graduated in 1993 from Ferris State 

University in Big Rapids, Michigan, with a 

bachelor’s degree in industrial and environmental 

health management. Before moving 

to Oregon, Craig was a safety compliance 

officer for South Carolina OSHA. He began 

his career with Oregon OSHA in 1995 as a 

safety compliance officer in Medford. Craig 

joined Oregon OSHA’s Education Section 

in 1998, conducting safety and health workshops 

and training sessions for Oregon’s 

employers and employees. 

Topic: Forklift Safety 

Mark E. Hurliman, 

CSHM 

VPP/SHARP Program Manager 


PO Box 14480 

Salem, OR 97309-0405 

503-947-7437 

mark.e.hurliman@state.or.us 


Mark has worked at dairy farming, commercial 

fishing, construction, logging, 

and in sawmills. With Oregon OSHA, he 

was a compliance officer and a consultant 

before he was asked to manage the VPP 

and SHARP programs. He is a certified 

safety-and-health manager with the National 

Safety Management Society. 

Topic: What SHARP and VPP 

Can Do for Your 

Company 


22

Speakers 

 

Kirk L. Jacobson, ARM, 

ALCM 

Regional Human Resources 

Manager 

Timber Products Company 

PO Box 1669 


541-618-3617 

Kirk is the regional human resources 

manager for Timber Products Company in 

Medford. Prior to that he was a loss-control 

consultant for SAIF Corporation. Kirk began 

his safety career providing loss-control 

services to agriculture employers in Oregon. 

Prior to joining SAIF, Kirk was a loss-control 

consultant for a multi-line insurance 

carrier, Royal-Sun Alliance. In addition to a 

bachelor’s in business administration, Kirk 

has earned an associate degree in risk and 

loss-control management. He has extensive 

experience and training in human resources, 

ergonomics, behavioral safety, safety management 

systems, and OSHA regulations. 

Kirk takes great pride in delivering training 

with real-world application. 

Topic: Effective Safety 

Accountability Systems 


Rebbecca Maese, RN, 

MA 

EHS/EAP Director, 

Oregon Region 

Providence Health System 

5251 NE Glisan Street, Suite 200 

Portland, OR 97213 

503-215-7816 

rebbecca.maese@providence.org 

Rebbecca has worked at Providence Health 

Systems since 1984 and is currently director 

of EHS/EAP program for the Oregon 

region. Rebbecca received a bachelor’s in 

nursing in 1973 and a master’s in counseling 

psychology in 1979. She has been a nurse 

for 32 years in psychiatric and mental health 

nursing, oncology, employee health, and 

employee assistance programs. She was a 

certified clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric 

and mental health from 1996-2004. She 

is a certified oncology nurse, and a member 

of EAPA and the Association for Occupational 

Health Professionals. Rebbecca has 

been a Sigma Theta Tau national nursing 

honor society member since 1984. She also 

was on the Lake Oswego Community Emergency 

Response Team steering committee 

chair from 1995-2000. 

Topic: Current Mental Health 




23

Speakers 

Christine M. Meadows 

Attorney at Law 

Jordan Schrader, PC 

PO Box 230669 


503-598-7070 

info@jordanschrader.com 

Christine is a shareholder in the law firm of 

Jordan Schrader, PC. An employment and 

labor lawyer, with 10 years’ experience in 

employment litigation, she regularly advises 

clients about human-resources issues and 

avoiding employment liability. She speaks 

and writes nationally on employment topics. 

Topic: Managing the Human 

Resources Side of Safety 

Tamara Nordin 

Vice President – 

Human Resources 

Pacific Retirement Services 

Rogue Valley Manor 

1200 Mira Mar 


541-857-7620 

tamara@retirement.org 

www.retirement.org 

Tamara has been vice-president of human 

resources for both Pacific Retirement 

Services and Rogue Valley Manor for 16 

years. She holds a master’s in business administration 

from Southern Oregon College 

and is certified as a senior professional in 

human resources by the Society of Human 

Resource Management. She is an adjunct 

instructor for Northwest Christian College 

and Southern Oregon University where she 

teaches human resource management and 

organizational development courses. 



Dave Parsons 

Loss Control Consultant 

Associated General Contractors, 

Oregon Columbia Chapter 

9450 W Commerce Circle, Suite 200 

Wilsonville, OR 97070 

503-789-4736 

davep@agc-oregon.org 

Dave has been involved in occupational 

safety and health for 25 years. He has 

worked for many companies throughout 

the Northwest, helping them create a safety 

culture to reduce losses and increase profits. 

Dave gained his extensive knowledge of 

scaffolding when employed by Ivy Hi-Lift 

as corporate risk and safety manager. In 

that job, he covered 32 locations in 14 

states. Dave is a speaker at many regional 

conferences. He is a past president of the 

American Society of Safety Engineers, 

Columbia-Willamette Chapter, and serves 

on the National and Region 1 association 

committees. 

Topic: Ladder Safety 


24

Speakers 

 

Robert Pater 


Strategic Safety Associates 

PO Box 80161 


503-977-2094 

Robert has presented at corporate and 

national conferences worldwide, including 

over 18 years for American Society of Safety 

Engineers national events. He is the founder 

of the MoveSMART® system, in place in 

over 65 countries. His articles on attention 

control, leadership and injury prevention 

have appeared in professional safety 

publications. 

Robert is the author of “Leading From 

Within: Martial Arts Methods for Dynamic 

Business and Management,” “Black Belt 

Safety: Improving Your Safety Leadership 

Through Martial Arts Methods,” Industrial 

Safety & Hygiene News (October 1999), 

and has taught select martial arts for 30 

years. 

Topics: Keynote: Harnessing 

Stress Power 

Breaking the Chain of 

Accident Repetition: 

Helping “Accident 

Repeaters” 

Black-Belt Leadership: 

Applying Martial Arts 

Methods to Dynamic 

Leadership 

Margy Plein, MS, NCC 

Counselor, Employee 

Assistance Program 

Asante 

2630 East Barnett Road 


541-789-4238 

mplein@asante.org 

Margy has worked as an intern counselor 

for Asante Counseling Services, Providence 

Medical Center, and Winterspring Center 

for Living With Grief and Loss, in Medford, 

and Trinity Respite Center, Ashland. She 

is currently a staff counselor for Asante 

Employee Assistance Program, Asante 

Counseling Service in Medford. Some of 

her areas of counseling experiences include 

bereavement, anxiety, and depression, 

drugs abuse, and marital discord. 





25

Speakers 

Ryan J. Vanderhoof 

Partner 

Hornecker, Cowling, Hassen & Heysell 

717 Murphy Road 


541- 779-8900 

www.roguelaw.com 

Ryan joined the firm in 1999 after clerking 

for Lane County Circuit Court Judge 

Gregory G. Foote. He received his law 

degree from Northwestern School of Law at 

Lewis and Clark College and his undergraduate 

degree from the University of Oregon. 

Ryan became a partner with the firm in 

2005, specializing in employment law and 

general litigation. 



Zandra Walton, MSPH, 

CIH 

Industrial Hygiene Team 

Manager 

Liberty Mutual Insurance 

650 NE Holladay 


503-736-7517 

zandra.walton@libertynorthwest.com 

Zandra has been with Liberty Northwest 

Insurance for nine years and is currently the 

industrial hygiene team manager. She holds 

an master’s in public health in industrial 

hygiene from the University of Utah and 

a bachelor’s in biology/psychology from 

Franklin & Marshall College. She has been 

certified in the comprehensive practice of 

industrial hygiene by the American Board 

of Industrial Hygiene since 1997 and is an 

active member of both the American Industrial 

Hygiene Association and the National 

Hearing Conservation Association. 

Topic: Making Noise About 

Noise 

Walter W. Want 

President 

Norwest Marketing 

PO Box 1029 

Newberg, OR 97132-8029 

503-537-0115 

norwestrep@aol.com 

Walter has worked as a manufacturers’ sales 

representative in the safety industry for 

more than 30 years. He developed and has 

presented fall protection, confined space 

entry retrieval, and personal protective 

equipment programs throughout the U.S. 

Walter is a professional member of ASSE, 

MANA, SEMAA, and the International Society 

of Fall Protection. He is a graduate of 

New Mexico State University and a former 

Air Force pilot who specialized in search-air 

rescue as a forward air controller. 

Topic: Advanced Fall 

Protection 


26

Speakers 

 

Andrea Woods, MS, 

LMFT 

Counseling Services 

EAP Manager 

Asante 

2630 East Barnett Road 


541-608-4238 

awoods@asante.org 

Andrea is a mental health professional who 

has provided services in mental health, 

substance abuse, dual diagnosis, and EAP, 

since 1985. She has held many positions in 

her career, including therapist, supervisor, 

manager, consultant, educator, and clinical 

director. Andrea has worked with diverse 

issues in clinic, school, university, hospital, 

and private-practice settings. She holds MFT 

licenses in California and Oregon and is 

completing her CEAP credential. 

Andrea manages Asante Counseling 

Services and Employee Assistance Program 

in both Jackson and Josephine counties. At 

Asante, Andrea conducts psychotherapy, 

supervises staff, provides administrative 

management of the program, and is the 

lead trainer and consultant to over 35 client 

companies. 




Marc Zurcher 

Line Foreman 

Pacific Power 

925 South Grape Street 


541-840-9870 (cell) 

Marc.Zurcher@Pacificorp.com 

Marc has worked for 30 years as a field 

operations employee for Pacific Power. His 

responsibilities are building and maintaining 

overhead and underground power lines 

with voltages ranging from 120 volts to 

500,000 volts. Marc has 21 years’ experience 

instructing the public on safe behavior 

around electricity. In 1983, he realized that 

his two young boys knew little about electric 

safety, so he set about teaching them. 

This led to teaching elementary school 

students, fire and police departments, ambulance 

crews, and state and federal forest 

fire crews. 

Topic: Electrical Safety 


27

Notes 

 


28

Planning Committee 

 

Pamela Ahr 

SAIF Corporation 

Phil Beavers 


Robert Calkins 

City of Medford 

Tim Capley 


Maggie Carrico 

Liberty Northwest 

Curt Charley 

Timber Products 

Karen Chase 


Mona Chisum 

Cross Creek Trucking 

Don Cole 

Curt Crichton 

LTM 

Linden Crouch 

Debbie Dill 

SAIF Corporation 

Connie Gibbs 

SierraPine 

Dan Hayes 

Kodak 

Kirk Jacobson 

Timber Products 

Lisa Jacobson 

City County Insurance 

Rob Kanyuch 

Providence 

Danna Kell 


Carl Lukens 

Asante 

Joan Majeski 

Providence 

Chuck McFarland 


Jim McNeil 

Swanson Group, Inc. 

Debbie McQueen 

Asante 

Jeff Smith 

Adroit Construction 

Betty Wiest 

Sabroso 

Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference

Southern Oregon Occupational 

Safety & Health Conference 

PO Box 5640 • Salem, OR 97304-0640

2005 Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference ...

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