The winners this year are as follows:

Association
Signatory Painting Contractors Organization, Clackamas

Employer
Duckwall-Pooley Fruit Company, Odell
Reese Electric, North Bend
Snyder Roofing of Oregon, LLC, Tigard
Wildish Companies, Eugene

Safety and Health Professional
Anthony Barsotti of Temp Control Mechanical
Melissa Diede of SAIF Corp.
John Kirwan of Hinkle Locomotive
Alan Rhodes of Providence Health Systems

Safety and Health Advocate
Gary McQuown of Arctic Sheet Metal
Rebecca Rogie of Goodwill Industries
Tooling Department of Orenco Systems, Inc.

Safety Committee
City of Gresham, Gresham
Comcast – Beaverton FFO, Beaverton
Dallas Retirement Village, Dallas
Kraft Foods Portland Bakery Safety Committee, Portland
Union Pacific Railroad, Hinkle Locomotive, Hermiston

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, partners with the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to sponsor the conference.

More information about the conference is on the GOSH website, www.oregongosh.com.

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About Oregon OSHA:
Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to www.orosha.org.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

(Salem) – With more than 140 workshops and sessions, registration is now open for the Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference. The largest event of its kind in the Northwest, the conference will be held March 7-10, 2011 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

On Wednesday, March 9, the event features a moderated panel discussion with four Northwest business leaders. Management from L & M Industrial Fabrication, River Point Farms, Dallas Retirement Village, and ChristieCare will share their perspectives on the importance of safety and health within their organizations.

“This is a unique opportunity to hear from small business leaders on how to achieve management commitment and employee participation in safety and health,” said Michael Wood, Oregon OSHA administrator. “I believe their tools for success could apply to any organization.”

Other general topics covered at conference include:

• Safety committee training
• What to expect from an OSHA inspection
• Hazard communication
• Advanced accident investigation

The conference also will feature session tracks on specialties such as health care, ergonomics, construction, emergency preparedness and response, alternative energy, safety for school districts, workplace culture and wellness.

New to the conference this year is the Columbia Forklift Challenge. Trained forklift drivers will compete for cash in an obstacle course designed to test their skills and safe operation on Tuesday, March 8.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, is partnering with the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to sponsor the conference.

For more information on the conference schedule, events or to register, go to www.oregongosh.com.

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About Oregon OSHA:

Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to www.orosha.org.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

The conference will feature the keynote address, “Water The Bamboo®: Unleash Your Potential,” by thought leader and author Greg Bell. His presentation will focus on the importance of self-responsibility and creating value for those we work and live with.

Other general topics covered at conference include:

•    Safety committee training
•    What to expect from an OSHA inspection
•    Hazard communication
•    Advanced accident investigation

Conference specialties such as health care, ergonomics, construction, emergency preparedness and response, industrial hygiene and workplace wellness are some of the other session tracks.

Registration for the event is expected to open in late-December and organizations can reserve exhibit space now. New to this conference will be a skills demonstration in the Columbia Forklift Challenge.

Companies (all sizes), organizations and individuals who make extraordinary contributions to workplace safety and health are encouraged to apply. Applications are available at www.oregongosh.com/awards and must be received by Oct. 28, 2010.

The awards ceremony is planned for Wednesday, March 9, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

(Salem) – Mark your calendar for the Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference, to be held March 7-10, 2011 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The largest conference of its kind in the Northwest, themed “Safety: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint,” will feature more than 140 workshops and sessions. It is designed to educate managers and workers about safety and health issues.

Registration for the event is expected to open in winter of 2010, with exhibit space assignments beginning in September 2010. New this year, the conference will feature a skills demonstration in the Columbia Forklift Challenge.

“This event offers managers and employers a chance to hear about the latest safety issues in their field,” said Sharell Lien, coordinator of the GOSH Conference. “It’s a great value and opportunity to network with other safety and health professionals.”

General conference topics include:

• Safety Committees: Beyond the Basics
• Safety Training and Your Multicultural Workforce
• Motor Vehicle Safety
• Conducting an Accident Investigation

Conference specialties such as health care, ergonomics, construction, emergency preparedness and response, industrial hygiene and workplace wellness are some of the other session tracks.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer & Business Services, is partnering with the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to sponsor the conference.

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About Oregon OSHA:

Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to www.orosha.org.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

Follow DCBS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DCBSCory. Receive consumer help and information on insurance, mortgages, investments, workplace safety, and more.

(Salem) – Thirteen leaders in safety and health were honored with awards at the 2009 Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference, under way at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. A panel of industry professionals judges the awards, which honor extraordinary contributions to the field of workplace safety and health. The categories include outstanding employers, individuals and associations.

The winners this year are as follows:

Association
Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia Chapter

Employer
Reese Electric, Inc. of North Bend
Stacy and Witbeck Inc. (Wilsonville-Beaverton Commuter Rail Project)
Arctic Sheet Metal of Portland
Roseburg Forest Products – Dillard Plywood Division

Individual
Jeff Schanze of Cintas Corp., Portland

Safety Professional
Al Arguedas formerly of Skanska USA, Beaverton
Chris Miller of Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia Chapter
Scott Neufeld of Special Districts Association of Oregon, Salem

Safety Committee
NECA-IBEW, Portland
Oregon Youth Authority – MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, Woodburn
Comcast – Beaverton FFO
Knife River – Medford Operations
Roseburg Forest Products – Dillard Plywood Division

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, partners with the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to sponsor the conference.

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About Oregon OSHA:
Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to www.orosha.org.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

(Salem) Oregon’s Governor Ted Kulongoski will speak at the 2009 Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference, underway March 9-12 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The Governor will provide welcoming remarks at the GOSH Awards ceremony at noon, March 11, 2009.

The GOSH Awards honor extraordinary contributions to the field of workplace safety and health. The categories include outstanding employers, individuals and associations. A panel of industry professionals made up the judging panel.

Dave Anderson, co-host of “The Mark and Dave Show” on KEX Radio and “AM Northwest” on KATU-TV, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the awards presentation. Tickets for the luncheon are available for $15 by calling the Conference Section at 503-378-3272.

The GOSH Conference is the largest event of its kind in the Northwest and will feature more than 30 full-day workshops and 115 single-topic classes. It is designed to educate managers and workers about safety and health issues. The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer & Business Services, is partnering with the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to sponsor the conference.

(Salem) – Registration is now open for the 2009 Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference, to be held March 9-12 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The largest conference of its kind in the Northwest will feature more than 30 full-day workshops and 115 single-topic classes. It is designed to educate managers and workers about safety and health issues.

One of the highlights of the conference will be a moderated panel discussion on Wednesday, March 11, with four Northwest business leaders. Senior management from GE Security, Skanska USA, Boeing Portland, and Intel will share their perspectives on the importance of safety and health within their organizations and their expectations in leadership, management, and the bottom line.

“This is a rare opportunity to hear from top business leaders on how they are managing safety and health in these uncertain economic times,” said Sharell Lien, coordinator of the GOSH Conference. “I expect the conversation to be candid and insightful.”

General conference topics include:

• Safety Committees: Beyond the Basics
• Safety Training and Your Multicultural Workforce
• Motor Vehicle Safety
• Conducting an Accident Investigation

Conference specialties such as health care, ergonomics, construction, emergency preparedness and response, industrial hygiene and workplace wellness are some of the other session tracks.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer & Business Services, is partnering with the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to sponsor the conference.

About Oregon OSHA:
Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to www.orosha.org.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

(Salem) – A national leader on the subject of low back disorders in the workplace will deliver the keynote speech at the third National HealthCare Ergonomics Conference March 9-12 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore. Bill Marras, Ph.D, CPE, and director of the Biodynamics Laboratory at The Ohio State University, will discuss research and the latest in prevention strategies.

The Oregon Coalition for HealthCare Ergonomics, the University of Washington Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and the Washington Safe Patient Handling Steering Committee are presenting the conference in conjunction with the 2009 Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference.

Over the past several years it has become well accepted that physical work factors, coupled with individual and psychosocial factors are associated with low back pain risk. Marras will discuss how various risk factors interact to increase the risk of low back pain and how these risks can be effectively mediated with special focus on patient handling tasks.

Other health care ergonomic topics to be offered include:

• Making the business case for ergonomics and safe patient/resident handling programs
• Safe patient handling equipment selection and installation
• Caring for the obese population
• The patient’s perspective on safe patient handling
• Ergonomics for computer and e-charting workstations, environmental services and housekeeping, rehabilitation, therapy, and diagnostic services

The 2009 GOSH Conference will feature more than 30 full-day workshops and 115 single-topic classes. It is designed to educate managers and workers about safety and health issues. The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, is partnering with the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to sponsor the conference.

Registration for the conference opens this month.

(Salem) – Inspiring audiences around the world for more than two decades, best-selling author and documentary filmmaker Steve Donahue will deliver the keynote speech at the 2009 Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Conference (GOSH). As a former stand-up comedian, his presentations are famous for humor and pacing.

Donahue will deliver the keynote on Tuesday, March 10, starting at 9:15 a.m., and will lead a breakout session at 10:30 a.m.

As a young man, Donahue crossed the Sahara Desert overland from north to south. Braving relentless sandstorms, blistering heat, mysterious nomads, and the endless dunes, Donahue learned what it takes to travel safely in a dangerous environment. He will share the gripping tale of his desert adventure while revealing his “Rules for Desert Travel,” practical tips for finding your way and leading others in a time of change.

His first book, “Shifting Sands: A Guidebook for Crossing the Deserts of Change,” is an international bestseller with editions translated into Korean, Russian, Turkish, and Greek.

The 2009 GOSH Conference, scheduled for March 9-12 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, will feature more than 30 full-day workshops and 115 single-topic classes. It is designed to educate managers and workers about safety and health issues. The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer & Business Services, partners with the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to sponsor the conference.