SCHEDULE DETAILS Daily Agenda
Registration (Main Lobby)
Conference Opening
President's Address
Bill Foote, President, NLOHSA
Greetings from Community Leaders
Eddie Sheerr
Keynote Address
Communication how does this play a crucial role in my job, in my family life and even on social media. Communication is the key to making yourself heard, to feeling connected with others and most importantly, it can help destigmatize mental health. It’s not easy to talk, but in today’s digital world face-to-face interactions are more important than ever.
Jess Chapman
The Neuroscience of Safe Workplaces: Why Our Brains Need More Than Rules
In this session we explore how neuroscience principles can enhance safety culture beyond traditional compliance. This session delves into the science behind human behavior, decision-making, and risk perception. Learn how to use brain-based strategies to design safer work environments, improve safety communication, making training actually stick, and foster a culture of mindfulness. Attendees will gain insights into how leaders can influence behavior and leverage the brain's natural wiring to reduce accidents and increase employee engagement.
Exhibitors’ Reception (Gymnasium)
New this year – new food items and mocktails, music and MC.
Delegates are invited to visit the exhibitors’ booths.
Western Theme Night - Networking Social & Cornhole
Quality Hotel, Salon A
Dust off your cowboy boots and hats and join us for a fun night of networking! There might even be a cornhole tournament. Catch up with old friends and make some new ones. Finger Foods provided, Cash Bar.
Safety Moment, Announcements and Door Prizes
Brandon Button
New Human Performance
A presentation discussing human performance (HP) integration into safety management systems. HP is a risk-based operating philosophy which recognizes that error is part of the human condition and that organizational, task and individual factors greatly influence employee actions and the likelihood of success.
Coffee & Viewing of Exhibits (stretch break)
Vignesh Shanmuga Sundaram
Kenny Gaudet
Wind to Hydrogen – Empowering the Next Generation for a Sustainable Energy Future
This presentation explores the transformation of wind energy into hydrogen and ammonia, emphasizing its role in Newfoundland and Labrador’s transition to a green economy. It highlights safety and environmental mitigation strategies in wind turbine operations, ammonia storage, and hydrogen fuel applications. Key topics include wind turbine installation, operations and safety, the role of Ammonia in Hydrogen Conversion, Hydrogen and Ammonia Safety and Environmental Mitigations, Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel for Vehicles and CNA’s Commitment to Student Empowerment.
Billy Thompson
Impact Speaker
Billy has a powerful story about Addiction Stigma and Recovery. He is 11 years sober and will tell his story of how he went from a middle-class working man to a homeless addict. The journey he took back to being an active member of society where he is a Senior Group Home Counsellor with CRSB who runs a shelter in Gander.
Lunch - Served In Main Lobby
Cory Chubbs
Hazardous Manual Task (HMT)
Dyno Nobel have adopted the Velocity EHS Industrial Ergonomics all-in-one management system for world-class companies to identify, assess, and reduce MSD risks with precision. The structure uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze Hazardous Manual Task (HMT) to deliver faster, smarter, and more effective risk reduction within the company. The initiative is a complete system for managing workplace ergonomics, helping to predict and prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
Jennifer Bouzane
Cathy Dormody
Crystal Ford
ESRTW Discussion with a focus on Mental Heath
This panel discussion will start with a review of RTW challenges faced by employers and trends or strategies they use. They will also discuss RTW challenges and strategies for Mental Health absences including gradual onset stress, depression/anxiety, cumulative trauma in addition to traumatic psychological injuries.
Coffee and Viewing of Exhibits (stretch break)
Marie Trimm
Practical Application of Guarding
Safeguarding devices are controls or attachments that usually prevent inadvertent access by employees to hazardous machine areas. Management and Employees understanding the difference between Machine Safety and machines safeguards are your first line of defense to prevent life changing accidents/hazards at the workplace. It will make a critical impact to the employees’ life as well as to the company itself. Cost improvement, cost avoidance and long-term safety will benefit all employees as well as the company.
Reception – Cash Bar (Quality Hotel)
NLOHSA Annual Dinner (Quality Hotel)
Safety Leader Award Presentation
Music, Karaoke & Dance to follow
Safety Moment, Announcements and Door Prizes
Frank Martin
An Empathetic approach to Alcohol & Drug Case/Risk Management
Despite the growing acknowledgement and enlightenment on the impact of mental health in the workplace; a serious mental Health issue still tends to get filtered out and treated differently; Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Alcohol and Drug issues in the workplace are real and increasing. Your approach to Policy management will impact your risk. What if we looked at reality of Alcohol and Drug human factors, and the efforts we make to mitigate the workplace risks, all the way through your Policy and program? Approaching employees as humans first, will lead to a safer workplace.
Coffee (stretch break)
Kim Munroe
Rested and Ready: Enhancing Safety and Productivity through Sleep Management
Join Kim's presentation to uncover sleep's critical role in safety, productivity, and employee morale, backed by compelling case studies. With one in three Canadians suffering from untreated sleep apnea, the cost to businesses can reach $3,800 per employee annually. Kim will share successful strategies for supporting shift workers and addressing sleep disorders in transportation, oil refining and manufacturing industries. Invest in sleep to empower your employees and enhance your organization's performance!
Bizu Mushe Ph. D.
Empowering Newcomers through Occupational Health & Safety: The Association for New Canadians Approach.
The Association for New Canadians (ANC) is dedicated to ensuring newcomers have the occupational health and safety (OHS) knowledge needed for successful workplace integration. In this session, we will explore the unique challenges newcomers face—such as language barriers and cultural differences—and how ANC addresses these gaps through targeted training programs and industry collaborations. Participants will discover practical strategies for fostering safe, inclusive work environments that go beyond minimum compliance.
Closing Remarks and Door Prize Draw
William Foote, President, NLOHSA
NLOHSA Annual General Meeting (Auditorium)