Program Schedule:

Click here to download the entire 16 page Conference Program in PDF format.

Monday, May 5th, 2008 (click on session title for description)

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 (click on session title for description)

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 - Post Conference Professional Development Sessions

Thursday, May 8th, 2008 - Post Conference Professional Development Sessions

Session Information

7:30 am
Registration and Safety Tradeshow Opens

Monday May 5, 2008
8:30 – 10:00am
Session 1A
Opening Remarks
David Anderson, Persident and Chief Executive Officer, WorkSafeBC
Bryan Lowes, Executive Director BC Safety Council
Terry Swain Pacific Safety CenterLtd

Keynote Presentation
Batteries Not Included: The Energized Approach for Achieving a Safe, Healthy and Productive Workplace
Our keynote speaker developed this fun thought-provoking presentation to help organizations create an environment where everyone is motivated, receptive and involved. Batteries Not Included will:

• Improve the success of any program you put in place
• Rejuvenate programs that have had limited success.
• Increase buy-in and participation
• Eliminate the vicious cycle of continuously starting and stopping programs.
• Spread Accountability throughout your organization.

Michael Melnik, MS, OTR, Prevention Plus Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota

10:30 – 11:45am

Session 2A
Safety Leadership Development
A safe workplace culture is a leader’s responsibility.  Measuring safety climate, through the eyes of frontline workers, then coaching executive and frontline leadership can be an effective means to strengthen workplace safety.  David Stuewe (Dalhousie University) will describe how his and Dov Zohar’s (Technion University) research has helped to improve safety.
David Stuewe Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Session 2B
Westray Lessons Learned
Looks at the lessons learned from the Westray Disaster that occurred in Nova Scotia. The disaster claimed the lives of 26 coal miners in Pictou County. After the disaster a public inquiry described the disaster as a story of incompetence, mismanagement, bureaucratic bungling, deceit, ruthlessness, cover-up, apathy, expediency and cynical indifference. What followed, was the introduction of Bill C-45 and a change to the Criminal Code of Canada attempting to make senior employees and corporations accountable. This session explores one of the pivotal Canadian workplace disasters now influencing every workplace in Canada.
Speaker: Wilson Bateman, Global Training Edge, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Session 2C
From Knowing to Doing: Getting the Most From Your Safety Training Efforts.
When it comes to training, what is said by an instructor is not always what is heard.  To complicate matters, what the audience hears doesn’t automatically turn into what it does when the class is over. In this fun, high energy and practical session, Michael introduces REP: The Rational, Emotional and Physical Approach to Effective Training. The REP approach helps maximize training effectiveness by focusing not only how information is delivered, but also how it is received and put into practice.
Speaker: Michael Melnik, MS, OTR, Prevention Plus Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Session 2D
Humour in Safety
Incorporating new teaching methods is tough for the safety professional. This class will submerge the trainer in how to have fun but still get your point across.
Speaker” Tim Page-Bottorff, Electrolab Training Systems, Belleville Ont

Session 2E
Due Diligence for Supervisors
Not all supervisors, safety people or managers are aware of the profound legal issues that surround safety on the worksite. This session examines the reality of legal accountability and its impact on supervisors, safety people, and the management system we support. It presents strategies and recommendations to reduce personal liability and improve worksite safety.
Speaker: Tom Lauritzen, Regional Prevention Manager, WorkSafeBC

1:15 – 4:30pm

Session3A & 4A (Double Block Session)
Preventing Co-Worker Violence: Its Not Brain Surgery. (Double Block Session)
Today’s workplaces are flooded with theories, philosophies, programs, training and systems for managing co-worker conflict and violence. Unfortunately, most approaches are too complex to be practical or too simplistic to be of any value. This session takes a refreshing and entertaining look at proven strategies that actually work.
Speaker: Hugh Pelmore, Arete Safety & Protection Inc., Vancouver BC

Session 3B
Psychoactive Drugs and the Worksite: The Concept of Impairment and Safety.
Dr Adams is a certified addictionist who consults in the area of safety critical work and psychoactive drug use. He travels North America teaching on this subject and has written medical opinions for the Canadian Model for Providing a Safe Workplace, Construction Owners Association of Alberta and Alcohol and Drug Guidelines and Work Rule: A Model for the Canadian Upstream Petroleum Industry. He covers the details everyone needs to know concerning relevant psychoactive drugs encountered in western Canada and most importantly, how they affect safe job performance. A frank and fascinating session.
Speaker: Dr. Brendan Adams, Brendan Adams M.Sc. M.D. C.C.F.P. C.C.B.O.M., President
American Board Certified, Aerospace Physiology, Calgary Alberta

Session 3C
Beyond The Safety Program: Developing Safety Culture
This session provides real examples and tools that can be taken back to the workplace and used immediately. Some are simple changes, others require top level commitment. It covers: avoiding the “safety guy pitfalls, the evolution of safety, role of communication in developing safety culture, perception surveys, the unique role that safety committee members can take to improve safety culture and much more.
Speaker: Yvonne Thompson CHRP, CHSC, Change Innovators Inc, Winnipeg Manitoba

Session 3D
7 Steps to Electrical Safety
Do you work in an industrial setting near high-voltage power lines or equipment? Do you know how to respond if you encounter a downed power line, or other electrical hazard? BC Hydro has developed this session to help industrial workers be aware of and respond safely to electrical hazards they may encounter in emergency situations. The non-conference regular version of this session is offered by BC Hydro to organizations free of charge. Preview it here!
Speaker: BC Hydro Staff

Session 3E
Emergency Planning: Just Do It!
When emergency situations arise, workplaces must respond immediately. This presentation will cover the components of an emergency plan and how to develop, implement and test it. 
Fires, hurricanes, acts of terrorism and pandemic influenza are a few examples of potential workplace emergencies. Learn to deal with unexpected situations effectively and efficiently!
Speaker: Dr Bhawani Pathak, Project Scientist, Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, Hamilton Ontario

3:15 – 4:30pm

Session 4 A
Continuation of session 3A

Session 4B
The Stuff On Your Shoes
However you define success; money, power, or even improving your safety program, achieving it has a lot to do with attitude. Take a light-hearted look at how we can avoid tripping over our own attitudes on the staircase to success. This session is designed specifically for anyone who has ever said “Whoops, I could have handled that better!”
Speaker: Spencer McDonald, Thinking Driver Inc. Surrey BC

Session 4C
Measures of Performance for Safety Committees
Designed to give every safety committee member a better understanding of the activites they can participate in, that will help reduce accidents and injuries and improve their safety program. An interesting session to pick up ideas on how safety committees achieve success in eastern Canada.
Speaker: Wilson Bateman, Global Training Edge, Nova Scotia

Session 4D
WorkSafeBC Regulatory Update
Join our speaker as she shares the latest information on what has happened over the last year and what is anticipated to occur next year. Also includes an overview of the regulatory development process and the importance of stakeholder input.
Speaker: Anne Burch Director, Prevention Policy and Regulatory Review, WorkSafeBC

Session 4E
Working Safe: Implementing Injury Prevention Programs in Aboriginal Enterprises
Highlights the findings and recommendations of an occupational health study undertaken in 2007 in Aboriginal communities throughout BC. Funded by WorksafeBC, and sponsored by the United Native Nations, it was done to address a gap in the understanding of how injury prevention programs are implemented in Aboriginal firms. While there is research on safety programs in small business there was little research, and no program interventions, aimed directly at the circumstances of small to medium Aboriginal enterprises.  Knowledge about safety programs in Aboriginal enterprises will be discussed and how that knowledge was used to develop the capacity of Aboriginal communities to work safely. Issues will be identified that are unique to Aboriginal enterprises, that impact on or limit the implementation of safety programs, or related safety compliance practices.

The presenters will provide recommendations for more effective support to Aboriginal businesses and communities that require a robust health and safety program. 
Speakers: Charles Horn & Danielle Levine Aboriginal Safety Researchers, United Native Nations.

Tuesday
7:30am
Registration and Safety Tradeshow Open

8:30am – 10:00am

Tuesday Keynote Presentation
Instigating Safety.. Whether You Want It or Not… And It’s Funny
Kevin Burns instigates the change that turns ordinary people into extraordinary leadrs in their own lives. Kevin is a high-quality, no0holds-barred, entertaining speaker who wraps incredibly funny and touching stories around the theme of safety leadership. A great way to start the 2nd day of the conference.
Speaker: Kevin Burns, Calgary Alberta

10:30 – 12:00

Session 6A
Workplace Stress, Sources, Symptoms and Solutions
Stress has been identified as the most significant disease of the 21st century. Unfortunately many organizations are unprepared to assist individuals dealing with the stresses of life. Ted takes the wisdom of ancient masters and incorporates them into day-to-day language and action and shares what he acquired in overcoming the challenges and stresses in his own life, captured in his best selling book, Peace Begins With Me. You will learn the difference between “stress” and “distress” and specific tools for helping deal with stress constructively and creatively. This session is a must for all people and organizations challenged by the stresses of today’s fast paced world.
Speaker: Ted Kuntz, SRI Vancouver BC

Session 6B
The Emperor Has No Hard Hat:
This session will take you through a step-by-step process for developing an effective safety culture. You’ll start with a working definition, cover responsiblites by job function and discuss ways to effectively implement cultural change. With material relevant to organizations of all sizes, expect a session that will be entertaining and educational.
Speaker: Alan D. Quilley, Safety Results Ltd. Sherwood Park, Alberta

Session 6C
Brain Boosting Secrets
Your brain is involved in everything you do, yet most people never think much about their brains. You simply trust it to do its job. Brain dysfunction is the #1 reason people fail work, school, and relationships. Your brain is the supercomputer that runs your life. This session has 2 bottom lines: 1) when your brain works right you work right and 2) everyone needs a little help. When you look after your brain, the results are amazing. Based on the latest cutting-edge neuroscience research, Brain Boosting Secrets is packed with tips, ideas, and strategies to help you improve your greatest asset...your brain.
Speaker: Terry Small, Terry Small Learning Corp. Surrey BC

Session 6D
Supervising for Safety
When workers are promoted to supervisor, training them in their responsibility and accountability for safety is often overlooked. This session  overviews the skills supervisors need to manage people. It covers the fundamentals every supervisor needs in order to provide a safe working environment. Great session for new & experienced supervisors.
Speaker: Isabel Krueger CRSP, Safety Matters Vancouver BC

Session 6E
Return to Work Planning
This workshop discusses return to work planning, effectively interacting with WorkSafeBC, finding transitional duties, and the role of the Nurse Advisor. A good introduction to the Return to Work field, and/or hear about resources and systems available to assist your own RTW system.
Speakers: Jan Beesley, Manager, Nursing Services & Margaret Smithson, Regional Manager, Nursing Services, WorkSafeBC

1:30pm – 3:00pm

Session 7A
Thriving in the World of Safety
New to the world of safety and don’t know where to start? Need a tune-up, and some magic words of wisdom to put the fire back in your belly? Our speaker has over 20 years in the H&S field and has learned how to thrive in the world of safety. She will share hard-won lessons learned along the way, some humorous, some serious. Come learn from the mistakes and successes of others and thrive in the world of safety! A wonderful session to wrap-up your conference experience.
Speaker: Mike Harnett, WorkSmart Injury Management Systems, Sherwood Park Alberta.

Session 7B
The Seven Habits of Highly Healthy People
Research has shown that there are seven things we can do to become healthier, increase our energy and ultimately our joy in life. Discover the 7 habits and learn ho to incorporate them into your day-to-day lifestyle. Your body will love you for this and so will your family and co-workers.
Kendy Bentley, Kentrith Bentley and Associates ltd, Calgary Alberta

Session 7C
Let Me Entertain You: The Key to Making Effective Safety Presentations
In this highly entertaining session you will discover and learn the best presentation techniques. It is for anyone who wants to speak with confidence professionally and impact and influence their audience whether you are presenting to a small group or at a large conference. An extremely dynamic session. If you speak in public you won’t want to miss this session!
Speaker: Paul Pascoe, The Safety Solutions Group, New South Wales, Australia

Session 7D
Making the Most of Your Worksite Safety Inspections
Looking for tips on how to conduct your safety inspections? This is the session for you. Hear how to plan and conduct successful safety inspections, rate hazards, and get advice on how to gain commitment to your recommendations. Come early! This session has been in every Western Conference on Safety since 1997 and continues to be one of the most popular sessions every year.
Speaker: BC Safety Council Staff

Optional Post Conference Courses

Course PC-1  May 7, 2008 (one Day)
Joint Health and Safety Committee Training (WorkSafe)
Ideal for new safety committee members or for existing members looking to refresh or upgrade their safety knowledge and skills. If your organization is setting up its first safety committee or looking to make its existing committee more effective, then this one day course is just what you need. Topics include; promoting workplace health and safety, applying the process of safety inspections and accident investigations, participating in constructive committee meetings, helping your committee work together plus much more.

BONUS: Participants may choose to write the optional WORKSAFE exam. Successful exam participants will be awarded a WORKSAFE certificate. It demonstrates the participant has taken training that meets the criteria WorkSafeBC has specified for safety committee training.
Course Leader: Isabel Krueger, CRSP, Safety Matters, Vancouver BC

Fees: $225 up to March 31, 2008, $245 after March 31.
Groups of 4 or more: $195 up to March 31, 2008, $225 after March 31.
GST extra.

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Course: PC-2  May 7 & 8., 2008   (Two Day Course)
Safety Skills 4 Supervisors
A must for every supervisor! This 2 day program helps ensure compliance with WorkSafeBC regulations. Your organization can save thousands of dollars by knowing what actions to take to prevent regulatory non-compliance. Understand your legal responsibilities in the workplace and hot to perform due diligence on behalf of yourself and your employer. Includes; legal responsibilities, supervisor safety management, accident investigations and worksite safety inspections.
Course Leaders: BC Safety Council Staff
Fees: $395 up to March 31, 2008, $450 after March 31, 2008. GST Extra

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Course PC-3 May 7 & 8., 2008 (Two Days)
Obligations and Liabilities of the OH & S Professional
Presented in Co-operation with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering.
This two-day course is designed to develop an awareness and understanding of the obligations and potential liabilities that may be encountered by the OH&S professional when providing advice in the area of occupational health and safety. The focus is upon defining the types of obligations and potential liabilities and illustrating ways and means of reducing these risks.

Who Should Attend
Because every occupational health and safety professional can be at risk, this seminar provides invaluable information to every level of experience - from the novice to the seasoned professional and from the "internal" consultant to the commercial consultant. Take action to safeguard yourself and your clients
Completion of this course will count as one credit towards the Certified Health & Safety Consultant (CHSC) designation, and as one elective credit towards the OH&S Certificate at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Plus the BCRSP has awarded this course 1.0 CMP.
Course Leader: Dan Black, Employment and Labour Law Section, McCarthy Tetrault, LLP Toronto Ont

Fees: $620 Canadian Society of Safety Engineering Members, $825 Non-Members. GST extra

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Course PC-4  May 7 & 8., 2008  (Two Days)
Let Me Entertain You! The key to Designing and Presenting Effective Safety Presentations
Safety presentations have gained a poor reputation because of the way they have been presented and the lack of entertainment value. Presenters can be disorganized because of lack of structure or lack of preparation. Disorganized presenters do not allow enough time to prepare. They tend to throw material together at the last minute, without deciding what the main message is and without taking into account of the needs of the audience.

Anyone who sets out to present, persuade, and propel with the spoken word faces many pitfalls. The bottom line is that busy people have no time to waste. A disorganised and rambling presentation will make them feel cheated and angry. If presenters find themselves being a little disorganised – it is crucial they attend and follow this workshop – because they will discover the key elements that are needed to consider when developing and creating an effective safety presentation.

This workshop is based upon more than 25 years experience speaking and learning. It is also based upon research we have conducted from around the world from many different resources and we have compressed this research into this two day program dynamic program.

There are few things more rewarding than conducting an enjoyable presentation on a subject that inspires people to improve.

Course Leaders: Eldeen Pozniak, Pozniak Safety Associates, Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Paul Pascoe, Safety Solutions, Dapto, New South Wales Australia

Fees : $445 by March 31, 2008, $495 after March 31, 2008. GST extra.