Start with Safety - FREE - IN PERSON

If you would like to attend this course web-based

FREE In person Seminars
Seminar Time: 10:00AM MST

Start each month with the Utah Safety Council’s free webinars. Join us online, where we will discuss safety topics that directly impact Utah businesses and communities with experts in the field. In addition to each months safety topic, we will share upcoming courses and help you get the most out of your Utah Safety Council Membership. Below, you will find upcoming dates and topics along with links to our prior webinar recordings. This page will update as new topics are added with their descriptions.

If you missed any of our SWS from 2023 please click here to go to our playlist. 

January 4, 2024 Workplace Violence

In this month’s start with safety, we will be discussing a critical and pervasive issue that affects workplaces across the globe—workplace violence. In this discussion, we will delve into various facets of this complex phenomenon, exploring its impact on individuals and organizations alike. Workplace violence manifests in diverse forms, encompassing harassment, both physical and verbal, accident-related incidents workplace bullying, written and verbal threats, theft, and more.

Harassment in the workplace can create a toxic environment, leaving victims, their coworkers, and families emotionally and mentally scarred. Additionally, accidents like vehicles crashing into buildings can not only result in physical harm but also contribute to a heightened sense of fear and vulnerability. Workplace bullying, whether subtle or overt, erodes the fabric of a healthy work culture, causing long-lasting emotional trauma for those targeted. Written and verbal threats escalate the atmosphere of fear, compromising employee well-being and overall job satisfaction. Furthermore, theft and robbery, particularly in retail settings, not only impact the organization financially but can also induce stress and anxiety among employees who feel unsafe in their work environment. Lastly, physical violence, such as assault and battery, poses a direct threat to the safety and security of individuals at work, leaving enduring physical and psychological scars. Through this presentation, we aim to raise awareness about these issues, fostering a collective commitment to creating safer and more respectful workplaces for everyone.

February 1, 2024 Incident Investigation

Paul Riley, a Certified Safety Professional with 30+ years in Occupational Safety and Health, holds degrees in Environmental & Occupational Safety & Health and Business Administration. Currently the Director of Safety & Health at AgReserves, Inc., one of the world's largest agricultural companies, he has diverse experience in Mining, Agriculture, Insurance, Government, Manufacturing, and Construction. Paul is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America.

Join him for a presentation on Incident Investigations, where you'll discover:

• Key differences between Incident and Investigation Reports
• Legal counsel's preferences for report content
• Choosing between simple Investigation Reports and formal Essay Reports
• Techniques for determining causal factors
• Crafting effective causal factors with corresponding corrective actions
• Using corrective actions as leading indicators for leadership
• Avoiding the connection of incident lagging data to incentives for improved safety culture and lower incident rates over time.

March 1, 2024 DEI in 2024: What the heck is going on?

Robbyn Scribner is an expert in women's workforce issues, coaching, and consulting. She co-founded Tech-Moms, a program helping women enter the tech industry, and is its Outreach Director. Robbyn speaks widely on women's career growth, with over 50 published works on topics like gender wage gaps and workplace flexibility. Holding degrees from Brigham Young University, she specializes in women's work-life balance, advocating for solutions. As a mother of 6, Robbyn enjoys sports and outdoor activities in Utah.

In recent years, discussions around "DEI" have grown polarized, prompting debates on its definition and implementation. However, fostering diverse perspectives and a sense of belonging remains crucial for any organization's success. Join us for an open dialogue on the complexities of DEI and how we can navigate them to foster inclusive environments where all can thrive.

April 3, 2024. Distracted driving Awareness Month

Mark Thompson with the highway patrol will be speaking on this month’s start with safety topic. We can here to discuss distracted driving awareness month. Distracted Driving Awareness Month is observed annually to highlight the dangers and consequences of distracted driving. Throughout the month, various organizations, law enforcement agencies, and community groups conduct campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness about the risks associated with activities like texting, using a cellphone, eating, or adjusting music while driving. The goal is to educate drivers about the importance of staying focused on the road to prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities caused by distracted driving. Activities during this month often include public service announcements, educational programs, enforcement efforts, and advocacy for stricter laws and penalties against distracted driving behaviors.

May 1, 2024: Suicide Awareness

Sarah Galvez, ASP, is a highly qualified Risk Manager with notable achievements in maintaining workplace safety and reducing accident rates. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Westminster University and is certified as an EMT.
Sarah has extensive experience in food safety inspections, State and Federal Safety Regulations, and community health. Sarah has contributed significantly to winning multiple safety awards and maintaining a DART (Days Away, Restrictions, and Transfers) rate and EMOD (Experience Modification Rate) below industry standards.
Her ability to manage risks in the workplace and ensure employee safety has earned her a reputation as a dedicated, safety-oriented professional. Sarah was a keynote speaker at the 36th Annual Utah Conference of Safety and Industrial Hygiene, where she shared her expertise on managing and recognizing mental health risks.
She currently serves on the Executive Committee for the ASSP, Utah Chapter and is committed to promoting safety across industries. Sarah is a strong advocate for Women in Safety and believes in empowering women in the workplace. Her excellent leadership qualities, combined with her passion for safety, make her a valuable asset to any organization.

June 5, 2024: National Safety Council Safety Month
Join us as we commemorate National Safety Month! Daniel Nagle and Jennifer McCann are both from the National Safety Council and the National Safety Council is the founder of National Safety Month. It declared June as National Safety Month in 1996. The council aims to spread awareness of safety hazards and unintentional injuries for industrial workers of the United States. Historian Arnold Toynbee used the term ‘Industrial Revolution’ for the first time during the late 18th century. He created awareness of the safety of workers who worked in coal mines and the textile industry. During that period, workers were not given enough space to work safely and were often given hot and dangerous equipment to work with. Moreover, workers were required to work over 10 hours for minimum wages. In 1877, the Massachusetts Factory Act was passed. Within 13 years, other states in the U.S. issued similar laws to improve the safety standards for American workers. Later, in 1913, the National Safety Council in Chicago estimated that more than 20,000 industrial workers die from poor working conditions in the U.S. every year. Soon, Canada passed its first health and safety law under the Factory Act of 1884. The Canadian government, however, only practically implemented its Factory Act when five immigrant workers lost their lives while working underground in Toronto. Similarly, the U.S. government became more proactive in supporting the rights of industrial workers after the infamous fire incident at the Shirtwaist Factory in 1911 in New York City. A fire broke out in the garment factory and the workers were trapped inside the factory, since all the fire exit doors were locked.

July 2, 2024: Summer Safety

Brandon Stone, a dynamic retired Fire Service Captain with 15 years of hands-on experience and a former Fire Training Officer, is now the Outreach and Community Manager for the Utah Safety Council. With a fiery passion for teaching and promoting safety, Brandon will  explore a wide range of crucial topics designed to keep you and your loved ones safe all season long!  Each year, Utah sees a significant rise in summer-related injuries. For instance, the Utah Department of Health reports that emergency rooms treat thousands of cases of heat-related illnesses and recreational injuries each year. Outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and biking lead to higher incidences of cuts, sprains, and fractures. Immediate First Aid can mitigate the severity of these injuries, prevent complications, and in severe cases, save lives. Brandon explains that being prepared with First Aid knowledge ensures you can respond effectively to emergencies, promoting safety and well-being during the summer months. First Aid is crucial in the summer, especially in Utah, due to the increased risk of injuries and health issues from outdoor activities and high temperatures. 

August 1, 2024: Labor Rights Week - Utah Mexican Consulate

Maria Ruiz, originally from Guerrero, Mexico, holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, specializing in Political and Diplomacy. She has pursued postgraduate courses on strategic aspects of the United States, Canada, and Mexico’s relationship, sustainable development, and International Law for Refugees and international protection in Mexico.

Maria moved to Utah and led the Community Affairs Department at the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City for three years. Her focus was on implementing programs in health, education, and finance to support Mexican and Hispanic community integration and empowerment. Currently, Maria is a member of the Protection Department, where she assists Mexican nationals with locating missing relatives, repatriating minors and vulnerable individuals, advising on civil affairs, and securing immigration relief for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. She also facilitates processes such as repatriating human remains, applying for humanitarian parole with CBP, and reuniting families, particularly minors, among other duties.

September 4, 2024: Business Contingency Planning  

James is currently the State of Utah Be Ready Business Program Lead promoting private sector resilience, and has 14 years of experience with the Utah Division of Emergency Management. James has been intimately involved with the following: Be Ready Utah campaign, State Citizen Corps Coordinator promoting the whole community emergency management framework, State level CERT program administrator and instructor, Executive Secretary for the State of Utah VOAD Board, State of Utah Emergency Response Team, and Vice President for the Disaster Discovery Center Board of Directors. James Ray is a graduate from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management Administration.

October 1,2024: Vision for Achieving Zero Fatalities

In this heartfelt and powerful message, Martin Herrera shares his personal story of loss and resilience. After tragically losing his daughter in a traffic accident, Martin has dedicated his life to spreading awareness about the importance of road safety. Speaking from real-world experience, he emphasizes the need for safe driving practices, especially within the Spanish-speaking community where information is not always available. Martin discusses his mission to educate and protect drivers, ensuring that everyone stays safe on the roads. This is a message everyone needs to hear.

November 7, 2024: Food Safety/Kitchen Safety

December 3, 2024: Holiday Safety

If you have any questions please contact the Utah Safety Council at 801.746.SAFE (7233) or email the Occupational Safety Program Manager.