2024

Celebrating 2024!!!

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PCSC Members & Community Stakeholders:

As 2024 comes to an end, I wanted to celebrate with you all everything that we’ve accomplished together. Every year when we take a moment like this to reflect, I’m blown away every single time!

It seems in both work and life, often we’re too busy and pressured to move onto the next thing without pausing a moment and simply being thankful for what we already have or what has already happened. I hope you’ll take a moment with me today to simply celebrate everything we’ve accomplished together.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

SAFETY TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

  • We hosted 16 in-person training events in 2024!
  • 46 completed NARCAN training and received free kits from Project DAWN through our partnership with the Portage County Combined Health District.
  • We partnered with 4 other safety councils to co-host an OSHA Recordkeeping Seminar in January.
  • We collaborated with the Portage County Fire Chief’s Association, Portage County Health Department, and Portage County Local Emergency Planning Committee to co-host The 2024 Portage County Annual Emergency Preparedness Symposium where 100+ received lithium-ion battery safety, active shooter and cybersecurity training.
  • We partnered with the Portage County Human Resources Association to offer members with SHRM credentials Professional Development Credits for attending our monthly meetings.

PODCASTS:

  • We published 464 minutes (nearly 8 hours) of original workplace safety content.
  • We broke 17k downloads this year!
  • We partnered with the Ohio Safety Congress again in 2024 to provide podcast previews of some of their top education session speakers.
  • All time stats: 293 episodes published, totaling 83.72 hours (5,023m) of original workplace safety & health content, downloaded in over 55 nations!

EXTRACURRICULAR:

  • We launched our all-new Annual Safety Awards & CEO Day, honoring local professionals who go above and beyond to improve safety in the Portage County area!
  • We hosted our annual holiday food drive at our November & December luncheons to help those in need through the Center of Hope and Kent Social Services food pantries.

2025 CHALLENGE:

A handful of years ago one of our longstanding Steering Committee members, Renee Onesti of Kent Elastomer Products, challenged me (in a good way) to come up with a word of the year to help set the tone for the new year. I extend this same challenge to you! Come up with a simple word or phrase that will help establish a mindset that you want to project into the new year so that you may be everything you want to be and accomplish everything you want to accomplish.

My personal word for the new year is “ALIVE!” I want to be fully alive in 2025! I want everything I am and everything I say and do to be full of life this year. What’s your word?

 I hope you all have a good, safe & healthy Christmas and New Year!

Emergency Preparedness Symposium was a Success!

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The Portage County Annual Emergency Preparedness Symposium was a great event!

In conjunction with the Portage County Fire Chief’s Association, Portage County Health Department, Portage County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and the Portage County Safety Council, the event took place on Friday, November 15th, 2024, at Northeast Ohio Medical University, and had 3 great presentations!

  • Lithium-Ion Batteries, presented by Nick Zamiska, Bad Day Training and Consulting.
  • 2012 Chardon School Shooting – Lessons Learned, presented by Michael Hanlon, Chardon Schools Superintendent.
  • Cybersecurity and Multi-factor Authentication, presented by Cameron Singer, Portage County Informational Technology.

2024 Holiday Food Drive!

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We’ll be collecting non-perishable food donations at our November and December meetings to support the Center of Hope and Kent Social Services food pantries. Both programs serve hundreds of families in need on a daily basis so we’re honored to be able to help support their work in our county!

Bring in canned or non-perishable food donations to either luncheon and receive a chance to win a gift card! Attendees will receive 1 drawing ticket per item donated.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • The Center of Hope has served over 108,000 hot meals and distributed over 22,000 bags of groceries!  They serve the communities of Ravenna, Ravenna Township, Charlestown, Wayland, Edinburgh, North Benton, Palmyra, Eastern Palmyra, Diamond, Paris Township, Deerfield, Newton Falls, and Rootstown.
  • Kent Social Services “serves over 20,000 hot meals a year and provides over 100,000 pounds of groceries to households in need.”

November 15, 2024 – Emergency Preparedness Symposium

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In conjunction with the Portage County Fire Chief’s Association, the Portage County Health Department, Portage County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and the Portage County Safety Council, you are invited to attend the Portage County Annual Emergency Preparedness Symposium, scheduled for November 15, 2024, from 08:00AM to 12:00PM at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, Cook Hall (4209 OH-44, Rootstown, OH 44272).

The following FREE event qualifies for up to one safety council rebate Attendance Credit (the same as a monthly meeting) for PCSC members and up to one external training credit for members of other Ohio Safety Councils.

This is a great training opportunity covering 3 hot button issues!

  1. Lithium-ion Battery Safety: “While these batteries provide an effective and efficient source of power, the likelihood of them overheating, catching on fire, and even leading to explosions increases when they are damaged or improperly used, charged, or stored.” – NFPA
  2. Chardon Active Shooter: Professionals who were present during the 2012 Chardon High School shooting will share about what they learned from the tragedy to help improve your policy, preparation and prevention.
  3. Cybersecurity: “The integration of sophisticated technologies not only fuels business innovation but also introduces complex cybersecurity challenges. This reality is further compounded by the growing dependence on third-party and fourth-party vendors, which can extend the cybersecurity risk landscape beyond the organization’s immediate control.” – Security Scorecard

Register online no later than Friday, November 8th, 2024. IMPORTANT: Please make sure to click “Yes” on question 5 (Are you attending for the Portage County Safety Council) so we can make sure you’re on the PCSC sign-in sheets to qualify for the rebate attendance credit.

CREDITS: Please note that attendees for the symposium will be awarded four (4) hours of EMS continued education! In addition, this free event qualifies for up to one safety council rebate Attendance Credit (the same as a monthly meeting) for Portage County Safety Council members or up to one External Training Credit for members of other Ohio Safety Councils.

October 3, 2024 – NE Ohio Safety Expo

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This event qualifies for up to one External Training Credit. Click here to view the flyer.

We are happy to announce that registration has opened for the 2024 NE Ohio Safety Expo!

The annual event on Thursday, 10/3/2024, is proudly presented by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC) Region 1 office and the American Society of Safety Profes­sionals – Northern Ohio Chapter. The goal is to pro­vide all employer types with valuable and effective information about safety and health programs. With 20 sessions, there’s something for everyone. Session topics include fall protection, OSHA recordkeeping, workers’ compensation, and more. Also, don’t forget to check out the exhibitor area, where over 50 safety and health exhibitors will show off their goods and services!

The flyer with additional information is attached along with the educational session schedule.

2024 Safety Award Winners

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We’re excited to announce our 2024 Portage County Safety Award Winners!

We’ll be celebrating and honoring our winners at our next luncheon on Thursday, May 9, 2024, 11:30am-1:00pm, at the Ravenna Elks. Click here to register to attend.

2024 Safety Champion – Renee Onesti, Director of Operations, Kent Elastomer Products: Renee Onesti has continually promoted workplace safety well beyond her daily tasks & job description. She has served on the Portage County Steering Committee for over 15 years helping to develop, coordinate, and facilitate literally hundreds of training events throughout Portage County, including multiple county-wide workplace health & safety expos.  She collaborates with other safety professionals to help solve safety issues beyond the four walls of her company.  She has spoken many times to improve safety, including on the main stage at the Ohio Safety Congress and Expo in Columbus, the largest free safety event in the nation.  A safety champion is one who goes above and beyond the call of duty to promote safety. Renee exemplifies what it means to be a safety champion!

2024 Safety Improvement Award – Diane Conner, Safety Manager, Miller Transfer and Rigging: Diane Conner has been instrumental in elevating the Safety Department and overall safety culture at Miller Transfer and Rigging since she arrived 2 years ago. Diane has created a collaborative and accountable safety department that has improved the company’s overall corporate culture. Last year (2023) preventable Accidents significantly decreased and overall CSA score (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Scorecard) improved by 11%. Accident frequency based on miles driven and total accidents were down 40% vs last year. As a result of Diane’s hard work, Miller Transfer and Rigging was recognized by the SC&RA for these great safety accomplishments.

2024 Safety Innovation Award – The Pyrotek Aurora Plant Safety Team: After noticing that only 5% of employees actually participated in safety or recognized risks. The local Pyrotek plant in Aurora rolled out a new safety program called Find It – Fix It. The program allows employees that find a safety issue to fix it themselves. Once a safety issue is discovered, a member of the Safety Team will verify the hazard and confirm that it was fixed by the employee. FiFI reports are reviewed monthly and the most impactful fix is recognized. In 9 months, participation rate is over 70%, they’ve seen a reduction in maintenance request & labor costs, and over 250 safety issues have been found and fixed by employees. As a result of the Aurora plant’s success, Pyrotek corporation is now in the process of rolling out their Find It – Fix It program at their other locations.

2024 Community Safety Award – The Portage County EMA: Through their Site Assisted Visit (SAV) program, the LEPC visits businesses in Portage County that report annually in compliance with EPCRA. This program has identified many chemical improvements and reporting corrections (both favorable and unfavorable to the business). It provides insight to first responders on the facility type, capabilities, the location, and potential severity of hazardous chemicals. In a typical year the LEPC visits four to eight companies within Portage County to ensure compliance, readiness and help improve the company’s own safety plans. Through this program there have been improvements in employee safety, preparedness for first responders and prevention of environmental incidents.Ryan Shackelford and his team deserve all the credit for developing this program and not only providing all the benefits listed above for Portage County, but also for developing a program that has worked so well that is has been adopted by several other counties within Ohio and a few LEPC’s from other States.

June 6, 2024 – How to Communicate Your Big Idea to Improve Safety

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How to Communicate Your Big Idea to Improve Safety on Thursday, June 6th, 2024, 10AM-11:30AM!

Click here to view the flyer.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!!!

This fun and interactive training will cover:

  • How to structure your communications by using mental models and conceptual frameworks to increase clarity and buy-in.
  • How to avoid communicating too much too soon and losing people’s attention.
  • A simple 3-step strategy to communicate more effectively and produce better results.
  • 6 proven ways to make your ideas “stick.”

This training is ideal for:

  • Anyone who is looking to communicate more effectively and trying to sell their idea formally or informally to others.
  • Managers that struggle to get employees to buy into their safety program.
  • Managers who struggle to sell their safety suggestions to executives.

About the Trainer: Mike Thompson is a seasoned leader with more than 15 years of experience in the non-profit industry and nearly 12 years in safety. He has a Master’s of Business Administration degree from American Intercontinental University and is a certified Workplace Stability, Global Priority Solutions, and Bridges Out of Poverty Trainer. Through the years, Mike has helped coach hundreds of people through tough and traumatic circumstances and now leverages that experience to help organizations become safer places to work. He has served as the Portage County Safety Council coordinator since 2012.

  • PRICE: Free but registration is required by Friday, May 31st
  • CREDITS:  Qualifies for up to one rebate attendance credit (same as a monthly meeting).
  • DATE:  Thursday, June 6, 2024.
  • TIME:  10:00AM-11:30AM
  • LOCATION: Family & Community Services, 705 Oakwood St, Room 101, in Ravenna, Ohio 44266.
  • LUNCH:  Pizza will be provided after the training courtesy of our Safety Education Fund (money raised in our monthly 50/50).
  • CAPACITY:  Seating is limited to 30 and on a first come, first served basis. PCSC members will have priority.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!!!

5 Safety Tips for the 2024 Solar Eclipse

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Witnessing a solar eclipse can be an incredible experience, but it’s crucial to prioritize safety. Here are five safety tips for the 2024 solar eclipse:

  1. Use certified solar viewing glasses: Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, even during an eclipse. Purchase ISO-certified solar viewing glasses from reputable vendors to protect your eyes from harmful solar radiation. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient for viewing the sun.
  2. Avoid looking at the sun through unfiltered cameras or telescopes: Using cameras, binoculars, or telescopes without proper solar filters can cause serious eye damage or blindness. If you want to capture the eclipse, make sure to attach a solar filter to your camera lens or telescope.
  3. Beware of traffic and crowds: Solar eclipses often attract large crowds of spectators, leading to traffic congestion and crowded viewing areas. Plan your travel and arrival time accordingly to avoid getting stuck in traffic jams or overwhelmed by crowds. Consider arriving at your chosen viewing location early to secure a good spot and minimize stress.
  4. Plan ahead, arrive early, and top-off your fuel tank: Expect large crowds and potential traffic congestion at popular viewing locations. Plan your travel route in advance, and arrive early to secure a good viewing spot. Consider alternative viewing locations away from major cities to avoid overcrowding. Top-off your fuel tank just in case you get stuck in traffic.
  5. Have a communication plan: Establish a communication plan with loved ones in case there are cell phone service disruptions, etc.  Ensure everyone knows how to reach each other and where to meet up if necessary. Keep your cell phone charged and consider bringing a portable charger to stay connected throughout the day.

By following these safety tips, you can make the most of your experience witnessing the 2024 solar eclipse while prioritizing your well-being and the well-being of those around you.

April 25, 2024 – NARCAN Training

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PCSC Members:

You asked for it, now it’s here!

In partnership with Project DAWN and the Portage County Combined Health District, we’re hosting a free NARCAN Training on Thursday, April 25th, 10AM-11:30AM!

  • PRICE: Free but registration is required by Friday, April 19th.
  • CREDITS:  Qualifies for up to one rebate attendance credit (same as a monthly meeting).
  • DATE:  Thursday, April 25, 2024.
  • TIME:  10:00AM-11:30AM
  • LOCATION:Portage County Combined Health District, 999 East Main Street • Ravenna, Ohio 4426.
  • LUNCH:  Pizza will be provided after the training courtesy of our Safety Education Fund (money raised in our monthly 50/50).
  • CAPACITY:  Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis. PCSC members will have priority.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!!!

Click here to view the flyer.