Texas Summit to Focus on Safety

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) will host the 12th Annual Health and Safety Conference, the Texas Safety Summit, on May 22-23, 2008 in Austin at the Doubletree Hotel, 6505 IH 35 North.

The Texas Safety Summit is a learning opportunity for all types of employers, whether or not they subscribe to workers’ compensation insurance. The advance registration fee for the conference is $250 per person if paid by May 15, and regular registration is $275 per person. Discounted rates are available for groups or employers that send five or more participants.

General Sessions include: OSHA Update with Edwin Foulke, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor; Have an Exit Strategy: When to Get Out Alive, Paul Maldonado, State Fire Marshal’s Office; Ergonomics/Back Injury Protection, Petti Redding, OTR, The Redding Group; and If a Car Could Talk, Sr. Trooper Garry Parker, Texas Department of Public Safety.

In addition, over 20 breakout sessions are planned to address pertinent issues facing Texas employers. These topics include:

• Health Improvement Programs
• Return to Work
• Industrial Hygiene: Are your Employees Exposed?
• Drug Testing: When and How to Use It
• Dealing with Contract Labor/Staffing Agencies
• Frequently Cited OSHA Standards
• The Pros & Cons of Safety Incentive Programs
• What to Expect from Your Workers’ Compensation Insurance Carrier
• Communicating with a Spanish-Speaking Workforce
• Accident Investigation
• Safe Digging/Trench Hazards
• State and Federal Recordkeeping/Reporting Requirements
• Job Site Briefings
• SHARP Companies: How to Obtain an OSHA Inspection Exemption
• Work Zone Safety
• Soft Tissue Injuries

Texas State Technical College in Waco will provide Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). Attendees will be eligible to receive .1 hours CEU per hour of attendance.

For additional conference information visit the TDI website at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/safety/summithome.html or call 512-804-4610.