Going Universal - VPPPA Region I Chapter

26th AnnuAl nAtionAl VPPPA ConfErEnCE // AuguSt 23-26, 2010 // orlAnDo, floriDA
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Education
With more than 150 workshops to choose from
between Sunday and Wednesday, attendees
from all areas of safety and health are sure to
find a new topic to stimulate their senses. The
VPPPA Conference Planning Committee spent
many hours reviewing more than 300 workshop
proposals in an effort to select the more relevant
and engaging topics. On Sunday, there are 9 preconference
workshops to choose from, including
the very popular OSHA Recordkeeping Workshop.
In years past, this workshop was afforded one of
the largest workshop rooms in a 60-minute time
slot. And every year the room would overflow and
the presenter would get through approximately four
slides. This year, due to popular demand, OSHA
Recordkeeping was extended to a four-hour preconference
workshop, which will allow attendees
to have more questions answered and perhaps view
the entire presentation. The popular Strengthening
Star Quality Workshop has been revamped by VPPPA
National Board of Directors Secretary and Region
VIII VPPPA Chapter Chair Kelli Heflin. Newer, fresher
topics and energizing speakers will leave attendees
with new tools to apply back at their worksites.
VPPPA prides itself on the quality and depth of
workshops offered during each conference. This
year is no exception. We received a record number
of workshop proposals which allowed us to expand
our workshops from 15 to 18 per session, adding a
total of 24 additional workshops. To help attendees
better navigate the selection of workshop choices,
each workshop fits into one of 15 specific tracks,
including Best Practices, Construction, Ergonomics
and Hazard Prevention & Control, to name a few.
Many workshops focus on the technical aspect of
VPP like Arc Flash Testing, NFPA 70E and OSHA
Update, which concentrate on renewed innovations
24 the leAder >> sPring 2010
in arc flash gear, changes in ASTM standards,
OSHA standards and 2009 NFPA 70E. Important
information on clothing, such as the principles of
layering, eliminating melting clothing you didn’t
know you were using and information on fire
resistant clothing and what standards to follow, will
be presented as well.
Construction safety continues to be a hot topic and
VPPPA has you covered with several workshops
including one on safe crane operations. This
workshop is geared toward all personnel involved
in crane operations, such as owners, supervisors,
trainers, operators, riggers and inspectors, and
will touch on aspects of operator qualifications,
responsibilities and conduct, common causes of
crane accidents, machine selection, proper crane setup
and lift planning and the importance of training.
VPPPA constantly seeks to improve and expand
the annual national conference. Like any great
organization, we often turn to our members for their
constructive feedback. This year we listened to
your needs for more education and a wider variety
of topics by increasing the number of workshops
focused more on technical training. The overall
conference looks to be a unique experience for first
timers as well as returning veterans and we hope
you will walk away this year with more knowledge
and innovative ideas to bring back to your worksites.
Expo
The VPPPA Expo has once again expanded as
more and more vendors learn about this amazing
opportunity to connect with a unique group of
enthusiastic professionals. The expo hall game
card was introduced last year with resounding
success. Attendees will have the option of visiting
specific vendors for a chance to win one of the
PAy it forWArD, BE A MEntor!
By KELLI HEFLIN, REGULATORy/SAFETy MANAGER, SCOTT’S LIQUID GOLD, INC.
two Apple iPads. So long as the exhibit hall grows
and attendees continue to push the envelope on
safety and health, VPPPA will provide the resources
professionals need in order to attain their goals.
Speakers
For many years, Randy Royall has been a staple
workshop presenter at the VPPPA conference. His
workshop is always overflowing with attendees
eager to hear his amazing story. This year, we
decided it was time that all conference attendees
had the opportunity to hear Randy’s Story, which
is why he will be the keynote speaker during the
opening general session on Monday, August 23.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a great speaker
with a truly inspiring story.
Another special treat on Monday will be the keynote
address by the Department of Labor’s Assistant
Secretary for OSHA Dr. David Michaels.
VPPPA has also invited Col. Robert Cabana, retired
United States Marine Corps and current director of
the John F. Kennedy Space Center, to speak at the
closing general session on Thursday, August 26.
family
VPP represents an outstanding community of
dedicated safety and health professionals all
committed to a common goal: returning home at the
end of the day in the same condition in which you
left. Orlando, Fla., is a popular family destination
and an excellent location to reaffirm your personal
commitment to workplace safety and health. We
look forward to seeing you in Orlando as we strive
to make safety and health universal!
One of the best programs offered by the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association, Inc. (VPPPA) is the Mentoring Program. Not only does it help
companies with their efforts of achieving Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) status, it also gives mentoring companies the opportunity to learn.
The most common statement I have heard in my seven years on the VPPPA Mentoring Committee is “I’d love to be a mentor, but I don’t know how.”
In the past, VPPPA has held a four-hour pre-conference workshop that attempted to answer that question, but in 2010, at the 26th Annual National
VPPPA Conference in Orlando, Fla., all that changes!
This year, there will be two one-hour sessions offered during the conference. The first session – Pay it Forward, Be a Mentor – is designed to answer the question
“How do I do it?” This will not include a review of the VPP elements because anyone who wants to be a mentor is already familiar with them. The second session is
a guided networking session for the mentoring pros to discuss common issues, best practices and the unexpected successes or failures encountered along the way.
These sessions are brand new to the conference and I hope to see a lot of you there to help us further our mentoring program!
*
“Pay it forward, be a mentor” will be presented by Kelli heflin, regulatory/safety manager, scott’s liquid gold, inc., and staci cannady, hr manager, simmons
manufacturing, on tuesday, August 24, at 10:30 a.m.
leARN mORe At the 2010 CONfeReNCe