And the Exchange 2011 Education Topics Are...
While Exchange 2011 in Portland, Ore., may be half a year away, it's not too soon for the GEAPS Educational Programming Committee to begin planning the sessions that will comprise the Exchange 2011 educational program.
At their June 3 meeting in Minneapolis, "we whittled down 150 or so topics recommended to us by fellow GEAPS members. There are many hot issues in the industry right now," said EPC Chair Ken Schmenk. "We are in the process of lining up speakers and outlines to review at our next meeting in September."
The EPC's for-members-by-members approach to developing the educational program has made it one of the most popular parts of the GEAPS Exchange year after year.
The 18 topics below have been chosen by EPC members to be developed into sessions for Exchange 2011.
- Confined Space Entry/Bin Entrapment
- Combustible Dust Standard
- Railcar Rescue Plan/Fall Protection
- Dryer Fires and Dryer Maintenance
- CO2 Monitoring
- Variable Frequency Drives
- Job Safety Analysis
- Precision Installation of Power Transmissions
- How to Verify Hazard-Motoring Devices
- Working with Emergency Responders
- Asset Management of Steel Storage Structures
- Workers Comp and Return-to-Work Programs
- Mycotoxins
- Behavior-Based Safety
- Arc Flash Compliance
- Obtaining Work Permits
- Food and Feed Security
- Supervisor Responsibilities
In addition to these sessions, the Exchange 2010 educational program will include an opening workshop about OSHA and bin sweeps and the annual Idea Exchange. EPC Vice Chair Joe Allen is spearheading the development of the 12 small-group Expo Hall "pod" sessions, which at Exchange 2011 will focus on Safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).