Monthly Meetings - La Crosse Area Occupational Safety and Health Council

UPCOMING LAOSHC MEETINGS

Join us at a meeting and see what we are all about! First time visitors are eligible for a free pass that includes lunch.

Monthly Meetings are located at the Marshview Room:

The Nature Place (Located in Myrick Park)
789 Myrick Park Dr.
La Crosse, WI 54601

Company Spotlight

Members may use the template below to prepare a 10 minute presentation spotlighting your company and safety program. Please speak to a board member and volunteer to present a company spotlight.

LAOSHC Company Spotlight

2025 Board and Membership Meetings Schedule and Locations

7/29/2025

Eau Claire Energy Cooperative

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Franciscan Spirituality Center

6/24/2025

Safety Culture-M3 Insurance

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Franciscan Spirituality Center

3/25/2025

Risk Management and Disaster Response-M3 Insurance

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

2/25/2025

Artificial Intelligence and Technology Tools for EHS Professionals

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

1/28/2025

WC Claims Management Strategies-M3 Insurance

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

11/26/2024

Improved Safety Program Processes

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

10/29/2024

Sharps Program and Combustible Dust

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

9/24/2024

Well-Being Solutions and Mental Health in the Workplace

Presenter: Liz Hilts, MS, GSP,

has over 15 years of environmental, health, and safety experience with manufacturing and general industry companies and a master’s degree in occupational safety and health. Our mindset impacts whether we work safely or not. Rushing, frustration, fatigue, and complacency lead to a variety of risks and in turn, accidents when at work, home, or driving. During the pandemic, it was evident that our mental health and the waterfall effect between our home and work lives was severely impacted. Companies want to support their workers, add to their wellness program, and improve retention. Human resources, managers, and EHS professionals are usually the decision makers on the implementation of this program. I have lived experience with suicide and experiences surrounding my mother’s life with schizophrenia. Breaking the stigma and discussing the undiscussables is a true passion of mine. Both programs help to educate, normalize conversations, and create a community of caring at work.

Session Content: Liz will provide a research-based overview of Mental Health First Aid as a workplace safety, well-being, and culture strategy. Include information on QPR, (Question, Persuade, Refer) and suicide prevention resources for Suicide Awareness Month in September.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

8/27/2024

Atmospheric Exposure to Contaminants

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

7/30/2024

Workplace Wellness - Behavioral Health

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Franciscan Spirituality Center

6/25/2024

Machine Guarding

NEP_AMP_MachineGuarding_Lacrosse Safety Council-June 26_2024

Machine Guarding-OSHA Emphasis on Amputation

Operating machinery or equipment can be extremely dangerous when it is not properly guarded or maintained. Injuries involving machinery or equipment often result in death or permanent disability. OSHA’s enforcement history shows that employees performing servicing and maintenance on machinery or equipment are often injured when no machine guarding is present, or Lockout procedures are not utilized. Several OSHA Emphasis Programs address Machine Guarding such as “Amputations in Manufacturing Industries” and “Food Processing.” These inspections, along with “report of severe injuries’ (amputations) have put Machine Guarding and Lockout in the top 5 most frequently cited violations for General Industry. The presentation will review what OSHA is finding and what is the expectation for eliminating the ‘caught in’ hazard created by machinery.

Presenter: Mary Bauer

Mary Bauer is the Compliance Assistance Specialist – CAS - in the Eau Claire Area OSHA Office. She has a bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire and holds certifications for CSP (Certified Safety Professional) and CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist). Ms Bauer was a Compliance Officer in the Eau Claire area for 20 years and has been the CAS for the past 18 years. Mary provides general information about OSHA standards and compliance assistance resources. She responds to requests for help from a variety of groups, including small businesses, trade associations, union locals, and community groups

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Franciscan Spirituality Center

5/28/2024

Safety Awards and Student Scholarships

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

3/26/2024

Participatory Ergonomics

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

2/27/2024

Service to Others

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

1/30/2024

Social Capital in Business & Safety

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

11/28/2023

Understanding Orthopedic Hand Injuries

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

10/31/2023

Managing an Active Shooter/Threat in your Business

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Kwik Trip

2306 Oak St. La Crosse, WI 54603

9/26/2023

Dealing with a Fatality in your Business

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place

8/29/2023

Effectively Managing Orthopedic Injuries

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Nature Place (Myrick Park)

7/25/2023

Required/Acceptable Occupational Health Annual Testing

LaCrosse Area Occupational Safety & Health Council

Welcome To the July 25^th, 2023 Membership Meeting

Overview: There are a variety of optional/voluntary types of Occupational Health testing, which we covered some examples last month, which included: Functional Capacity Evaluations, POET’s, Fit-for-Duty Assessments.

Today’s Presentation:

Required/Acceptable Occupational Health Annual Testing by Employers: Dr. Brian Withers & Dr. Steven Bowman - Occupational Health - Mayo Clinic Health Systems

Required/Acceptable Occupational Health Annual Testing:

O.T. Physicals
Military Physicals
Firefighter Physical
Flight Physicals
Dive Physicals
Annual Audiograms (Employer Hearing Conservation Program)

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Myrick Park Center

6/27/2023

Functional Capacity Evaluations & Post Offer Pre-Work Screens

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Myrick Park Center

5/30/2023

Membership Safety Awards & Scholarships

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Myrick Park Center

3/28/2023

Building a Positive Safety Culture

In this one-hour session, attendees will learn the fundamentals of developing a positive safety culture. They will assess their current culture and learn new ways to move the culture in a positive direction.

Topic Objectives include:

Define safety/culture/safety culture

Define the components of a safety management system

Define the six phases of safety excellence

Build the pillars of a strong healthy and safe culture

Discuss the four key requirements of a safety culture

Jan Fedora has worked with the MN Safety Council for over 20 years as an Occupational Safety and Health Consultant. She has also served on the Panel of Advisors, Governor's Awards Committee, taught at the MN Safety Conference, and conducted training with companies throughout Minnesota on OSHA standards, ergonomics, bloodborne pathogens, management skills, HR issues, among others. Jan has a Business Degree from Augsburg College and a Secondary Teaching Certificate from Dakota County Technical College.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Myrick Park Center

2/28/2023

Managing Fatigue/Discomfort & Return to Work Barriers

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Myrick Park Center

1/31/2023

MNSC: FMCSA Commercial Driver's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse

What is the FMSCA Commercial Driver’s License Clearing House?

The Clearing house is a secure online database that provides FMCSA and employers the ability to identify real-time drivers who are prohibited from operating a CMV based on DOT drug and alcohol program violations and ensure that such drivers receive the required evaluation and treatment before operating a CMV on public roads. This program will cover:

Who needs to register
Responsibility of the employer

o What to do after a positive test

Who qualifies as a substance abuse professional
Responsibility of Medical Review Officer (MRO)

Ken Urquhart

After a 33-year career with the Minnesota State Patrol Ken retired in 2012. In addition to spending several years as a patrol trooper, he held several supervisory positions as both a Lieutenant and Captain. Ken’s command level experience ranged from Capitol Security/Executive Protection for more than ten years and the Commander of the Commercial Vehicle Division in addition to serving as a legislative advocate for transportation-related issues on the federal and local level. He served as an adjunct instructor for the Hennepin Technical College providing Commercial Vehicle Safety Programs and is a current Commercial Motor Vehicle instructor for the Minnesota Safety Council. Ken has a degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of Northwestern Police Staff and Command School, along with the FBI’s National Academy.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Myrick Park Center

11/29/2022

Lockout / Tagout Compliance

Lockout / Tagout Compliance Presented by Eric Bauer

This presentation will be a basic overview of what a LOTO program is, what it must entail, and how to manage your program and the employee education responsibilities that must be provided.

For the last 22 years, Eric Bauer working as the Human Resource, Safety and DOT manager for a local firm employing up to 120 employees. In addition to his position as a H.R. and Safety Manager, Eric has been an adjunct instructor and subject matter expert for Western Technical college conducting OSHA construction and general industry 10- and 30-hour training as well as MSHA new miner safety training for over eight years. Eric has been a certified OSHA instructor for general industry and construction for over 10 years and has had the privilege of conducting OSHA 10- & 30-hours classes to local manufacturing, industrial, construction and local municipalities throughout the area. Recently he has started his own safety and consulting business providing risk management and OSHA training services.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boothill Pub

10/25/2022

OSHA Records and Documentation

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7 Step Flowchart_Handout

OSHA Records and Documentation Presented by Mary M. Bauer CIH, CSP, OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist

This session is an overview of OSHA recordkeeping and reporting requirements with an explanation of the OSHA 300 Log and supplemental forms along with electronic and severe injury/fatality reporting. OSHA requires much more than OSHA logs for compliance, What exactly needs to be documented? What needs to be readily available?. What needs to be on training documentation or inspection form? Record retention and maintenance has been challenging in this cyber secure world.

Mary Bauer is the Compliance Assistance Specialist – CAS - in the Eau Claire Area OSHA Office. She has a bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire and holds certifications for CSP (Certified Safety Professional) and CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist). Ms Bauer was a Compliance Officer in the Eau Claire area for 20 years and has been the CAS for the past 17 years. Mary provides general information about OSHA standards and compliance assistance resources. She responds to requests for help from a variety of groups, including small businesses, trade associations, union locals, and community groups.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boothill Pub

9/27/2022

Worker's Compensation Panel

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boothill Pub

8/30/2022

Accident Investigation

Effective Accident Investigations.081922.JLS (003)

Investigation Template

Topic: Accident Investigation – Public/Private Sector

Speaker: Jessica Schroeder Risk Management Consultant

Aegis Corporation a Charles Taylor Company

Accident Investigation – “You Did What?”

WHAT IS IT?

Accident investigation is the process of determining the root causes of accidents, on-the-job injuries, property damage, and close calls in order to prevent them from

occurring again.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Accident investigation will lead you to the real cause of why something happened, and armed with that knowledge, you can take affirmative steps to prevent future

accidents from occurring.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boothill Pub

7/26/2022

Fun in the Workplace

Topic: Fun in the Workplace – Engaging Employees

Speaker: Michael Melnik MS, OT – Prevention Plus

The Energized Approach

Fun in the Workplace

Fun in the workplace is often viewed as something that can only happen at the expense of things like productivity and quality. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it turns out that FUN is a powerful complement to these things, and it can have positive impact on employee retention.

The problem is that we all have different definitions of FUN and most organizations aren’t quite sure how to make it happen. As a result, they either avoid going after FUN or find that their attempts at FUN fall short of expectations.

In this presentation you’ll learn about the importance of incorporating fun into the workday, what can happen in its absence, and hear how several organizations have successfully injected FUN into the workplace.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boothill Pub

6/28/2022

Office Ergonomics

Topic: Office Ergonomics – Engaging Work from Home Employees – Managing the Hybrid Environment

Speakers: Katie McCabe OTR, MASL – Mayo Clinic

Brian Langenhorst OTR, CEA – Mayo Clinic

Office Ergonomics & the Hybrid Environment

COVID-19 has created one of the most revolutionary changes to office design and human resources—the migration of employees away from the office to working from home.

This shift to the home office has created opportunities for improved productivity and employee satisfaction, as well as potential risks for musculoskeletal injuries. As many individuals are currently working both at home and in the office, this hybrid working situation requires a focus on comfort, productivity, and health to enhance employee performance.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boothill Pub

3/29/2022

Business Meeting

12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boothill Pub

8/25/2021

Safety Considerations for the Aging Workforce

Lee Lohrentz is an Occupational Therapist who has been with Gundersen for 8 years. His experience has been in multiple areas of occupational therapy including worksite ergonomics, injury prevention, pre employment screening, and rehabilitation/work hardening. His presentation will include common workplace injuries for employees 55 and above. This will also cover preventative and rehabilitative topics for aging employees for some of these injuries.

12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boothill Pub

7/28/2021

Active Threats and Response

Officer Ethan Purkapile grew up in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Stevens Point with degrees in Psychology and Sociology. Ethan has worked for the La Crosse Police Department for seven years, spending the last two years as a School Resource Officer on the northside. He is a member of the Domestic Abuse Reduction Team, Emergency Response Team and is a Field Training Officer. Ethan lives in La Crosse with his fiancé Alex and their two fur babies, Stanley and Angus.

12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boothill Pub

6/23/2021

Working Safety with Contractors

Panelists: Mark Hintz of Market & Johnson, Jennifer Smith of Kwik Trip, Scott Huberty of NW Chapter ASSP, and Mary Bauer of OSHA

All facilities use contractors or have construction projects at their worksite. OSHA’s Multi-Employer Worksite Policy places the responsibility of contractor safety on four parties: the controlling, creating, exposed and correcting employers. Learn how your company could be responsible for contractors coming onto your site and how to ensure you exercise ‘due diligence’ under the Multi-Employer Worksite Policy. The Panelists will discuss their roles as host, contractor, insurance and enforcement to protect workers’ safety for both the contractor and host employees.

12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

Virtual -TEAMS

5/26/2021

Safety Awards, Scholarship and Company Spotlight

12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.

In-Person

4/28/2021

Written Safety Plans

Speakers: Tricia Hodkiewicz and Lisa Neuberger, JJ Keller

Did you know that one of the first things an OSHA inspector looks for in the workplace is your written safety plans, such as the Hazard Communication Program, Respiratory Protection Program, and Lockout/Tagout Procedures? This makes it easy for the inspector to quickly gauge how well you’re protecting your workers from on-the-job hazards. Developing effective, written safety plans makes more than just compliance sense, it makes good sense! Plans, whether required or not, streamline your safety efforts, provide safety goals and expectations, and define responsibilities. So don’t miss the upcoming webcast on written safety plans, which will discuss the written plan regulations for general industry and explore what makes plans more effective. As a bonus, the webcast will include discussion on warehousing safety plans.

12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.

Virtual -TEAMS

3/24/2021

Struggling With A Mental Or Emotional Crisis - Mental Health 1st Aid

Speaker: Chaplain Jeff Thomson

Serving as a Regional Director at Corporate Chaplains of America, Jeff hires, coaches, and supports a team of chaplains serving in corporations in the Midwest region. Corporate Chaplains proactively builds caring relationships with employees by conducting weekly rounds in the businesses they serve, when employees are facing a crisis they can received permission based support from someone they know personally.

Jeff's work as a chaplain and support for chaplains as led to his pursuit of training to equip leaders to care for employees experiencing a mental health crisis.

The training Jeff will provide on March 24th will focus on how to have a conservation with someone suspected of having suicidal ideation as a result of a mental health crisis. Jeff will be walking through a conversation model that is based on the course “Mental Health First Aid”, which teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. The hope is to provide a starting point that answers, “How to begin a conversation with an employee who is struggling with a mental or emotional crisis?”

12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.

Virtual -TEAMS

2/22/2021

Who Cares? How to get the rest of the team passionate about safety.

Speaker: Sarah Fecht, the owner of Best Self Leadership.

Sarah provides coaching, training, and keynote speaking. Prior to starting her own business Sarah lead human resource teams in a variety of industries. Sarah also teaches at Viterbo University. In this session, attendees will learn about impactful communication styles and how to cheerlead safety effectively. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the resources needed to create and engaged environment along with insights and actionable takeaways to implement.

12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.

Virtual -TEAMS

1/25/2021

Radon Awareness

Speaker: Nicole Kragness, La Crosse County Health Department

January is Radon Awareness Month, so LAOSHC has invited Nicole Kragness, a registered sanitarian for La Crosse County Health Department, to provide our members a general overview of Radon, where it comes from, and what it means for you. Nicole will also discuss measurement and mitigation strategies in residential homes and commercial buildings. Nicole serves as the Radon Information Center Coordinator for La Crosse and Monroe Counties. She is certified in both measurement and mitigation for Radon for residential buildings. She has lived in La Crosse County for eight years.

12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.

Virtual -TEAMS