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2002 Ak Governor's Safety & Health Conference

Feb. 26, 2002
No. 02-14

Highlights include "Anthrax Bioterrorism," "Youth in the Workplace" 

One of today's most talked about health concerns, anthrax bioterrorism, heads off the list of topics to be covered at this year's 2002 Alaska Governor's Safety and Health Conference. The conference gets under way March 18, 19, and 20 at the William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage. Lectures, educational training, and exhibits covering a wide range of topics such as youth in the workplace, food safety, fire safety and ergonomics will take place during the three-day conference.

Sponsored each year by the Alaska Safety Advisory Council, the Alaska Governor's Safety and Health Conference provides technical and educational information to workers, managers, and owners, with the goal of improving the culture of workplace safety and ultimately achieving a workplace free from fatality, injury, and illness. 

Sessions are open to all conference attendees, business owners, managers, supervisors, educators, and the public. 

Highlights include:

-- "Anthrax Bioterrorism in Alaska: Lessons Learned." Dr. Bernard Jilly presents the scientific facts, Alaska's data and bioterrorism preparedness plan 6 PM to 8 PM, Monday, March 18. No charge to attend.

-- A state/federal working group discussion on a draft safety and health program for Alaska at 11:30-1:30 PM, Monday, March 18. No charge to attend. 

-- "Traffic Signals and Wrong Turns on the Road Map to Safety," presented by guest speaker Dr. Robert Emery. Dr. Emery, Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety, University of Texas-Houston, is a Doctor of Public Health (Dr. PH), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), and Certified Safety Professional (CSP). Emery speaks at Tuesday's luncheon.

-- Exhibit Hall featuring over 75 exhibits and vendors on location. Exhibits showcase the latest in workplace safety products, rescue equipment, ergonomic innovations, and safety and health resources, including Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH), Federal OSHA, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and many more professional organizations. The Exhibit Hall is open Tuesday, 7 AM to 5 PM and Wednesday, 7 AM to 2 PM. Open to the public free of charge on Tuesday afternoon, March 19.

-- Education tracks on construction safety, occupational health, and workplace safety, health, and technical topics. Topics to be covered include, "Rebuilding America-IH Considerations During Renovation Projects," "Impact of Shiftwork," "Indoor Air Quality Management and Assessment," "Diagnostic Tools for the Safety Practitioner," "OSHA 300 Log Recordkeeping Standard-Effective January 2002," "The Hard Science of Selling Safety," and "Training Adults--Creating a Road Map for Truly Effective Training."

-- In-depth sessions addressing today's health issues, OSH standard development and analysis, and new approaches for Safety and Health Education program delivery. The 10-hour OSHA construction outreach is a traditional favorite for many contractors and construction workers and will again be offered along with a post-conference 20-hour OSHA 510 completion course.

-- Safety symposium, "Youth in the Workplace," offered by the American Society of Safety Engineers. The first session, Monday, March 18, 9 to 11 AM, is designed for employers to help reduce their risk to exposure and liability while improving youth worker safety. The second session, 3 PM to 5 PM, is directed to educating parents, teachers, and youth in safety rights and responsibilities and the safety resources available to them.

-- Awards Luncheon. Awards will be presented to qualified organizations and individuals, including Safety Professional of the Year, Wednesday, March 20.

Alaska has the highest occupational fatality rate of all 50 states. Although the number of worker injuries and deaths has decreased during the 90s, from 1992 through 1999, approximately 5,700 Alaska workers were involved in occupational injuries and illnesses resulting in one or more lost days of work. During the same period, 487 workers in Alaska died from work-related injuries. 

Registration : Registration is $200 paid after 3/1/2002; $100 for a single day; $50 for students with ID; or $35 for a single session. The opening luncheon is $15 per person or $120 for a table of 8. The Awards/Networking Luncheon is Wednesday, March 20. This combined event, hosted by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)-Alaska Chapter, provides an exciting, dynamic, and entertaining atmosphere for diners to discuss new, current, and controversial topics in safety and health. Alaska Safety Advisory Council, ASSE, and Alaska Industrial Hygienists Association honors citizens, businesses, and safety professionals that have worked to improve the safety and health of the company and community. Cost for the Tuesday and Wednesday luncheons is $15 per person. For more information on the conference, call Kathy Miller, Conference Coordinator, at (907) 269-4922, or visit the conference Website.

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