county

Now Accepting Nominations for our 2025 Annual Safety Awards Program!!!

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Every year the Portage County Safety Council recognizes a few individuals, teams, programs, projects and/or organizations that go above & beyond to improve safety!

Our Safety Awards program will be held annually at our May luncheon. Nominees must be either employed by a Portage County Safety Council member organization or work in Portage County.

Awards will be considered in the following categories:

  1. SAFETY CHAMPION: An individual who goes above and beyond their typical work duties to improve and to promote workplace safety beyond their organization.
  2. SAFETY IMPROVEMENT: An individual, team, program, project, or organization that has made a significant improvement to their organization’s safety performance or has significantly contributed to the improved safety performance of others.
  3. SAFETY INNOVATION: An individual, team, program, project, or organization that has created new practical safety measures (tools, PPE, equipment, processes, procedures, etc.) that has improved or enhanced workplace safety.

NOMINATIONS: To nominate an individual, team, program, project, or organization for one of the safety awards mentioned above, please complete this online Safety Awards Nomination Form prior to Friday, March 21st, 2025.

DEADLINE: Friday, March 21, 2025.

CEREMONY DATE/LOCATION: May 8, 2025, 11:30am-1:00pm, at the Ravenna Elks.

Click here to view our 2024 Winners!

*All awards are subject to change based on nominations.

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!

February 20, 2025 – Threat Evaluation & Reporting Overview (TERO) Training

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The Threat Evaluation and Reporting Overview (TERO) is a three-hour introductory training focusing on a behavioral approach to violence prevention. The TERO raises awareness about the risk factors, triggers and stressors, and warning behaviors that could impact a person’s decision to commit an act of targeted violence. Further, it outlines the mitigating factors that could help prevent acts of targeted violence, while emphasizing the importance of community involvement in seeking help for individuals, and respecting their privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

Click here to view the event flyer.

  • DATE:  Thursday, February 20, 2025.
  • TIME:  9:00AM-12:00PM.
  • LOCATION:  Portage County EMA, 2978 OH-59, Ravenna, OH 44266.
  • COST:  Free but registration is required.
  • REGISTRATION:  Must register online by Friday, February 14, 2025. Seating is limited.
  • INSTRUCTOR:  Faylin Eve Thurn, State Homeland Security Program Manager, Summit County Department of Public Safety.
  • CREDITS: This 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.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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.

The All-New Annual Safety Awards!

/ portagecsc

Every year the Portage County Safety Council will recognize a few individuals, teams, programs, projects and/or organizations that go above & beyond to improve safety! 

The all-new Safety Awards program will be held annually at our May luncheon. Nominees must be either employed by a Portage County Safety Council member organization or work in Portage County.

Awards will be considered in the following categories:

  1. SAFETY CHAMPION:  An individual who goes above and beyond their typical work duties to improve and to promote workplace safety beyond their organization.
  • SAFETY IMPROVEMENT:  An individual, team, program, project, or organization that has made a significant improvement to their organization’s safety performance or has significantly contributed to the improved safety performance of others.
  • SAFETY INNOVATION:  An individual, team, program, project, or organization that has created new practical safety measures (tools, PPE, equipment, processes, procedures, etc.) that has improved or enhanced workplace safety.

NOMINATIONS: To nominate an individual, team, program, project, or organization for one of the safety awards mentioned above, please complete this online Safety Awards Nomination Form prior to Friday, March 22nd, 2024.

DEADLINE: Friday, March 22, 2024.

CEREMONY DATE/LOCATION: May 9, 2024, 11:30am-1:00pm, at the Ravenna Elks.

*All awards are subject to change

January 30, 2024 – OSHA Recordkeeping Workshop

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Changes are coming in January 2024

With the current online reporting requirement, it is more important than ever to have your OSHA 300 log accurate. Those responsible for creating, updating and signing the OSHA Recordkeeping documents should join us. Public employers who fall under PERRP requirements will obtain valuable knowledge about logs and submission as well.

Objectives:

  • Review of OSHA recordkeeping requirements for workplace injuries and illnesses;
  • Examine the correct use of the OSHA recordkeeping forms;
  • Demonstrate how to complete the OSHA 300 Log
  • Discuss OSHA online reporting rule and how to comply (with new 2024 changes)

Details:

  • Tuesday, January 30, 2024
  • Our Lady of the Cedars, 507 S. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Fairlawn OH 44333
  • Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 AM
  • Workshop begins at 9:00 – 11:30 AM
  • Costs: $23.00

This event qualifies as a regular meeting credit for members of the five sponsoring safety councils. Members of other safety councils may receive an external training credit. Fulfills the two-hour training requirement for Group-Experience Rating Program or Group-Retrospective Rating Program. Certificates will be provided.

Click here for more information or to register.

This event is hosted by the Safety Councils of Summit, Stark, Green, Medina and Portage counties.

Celebrating 2022

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Hello Everyone!


As many of you know, every year at this time I like to reflect on the year coming to an end and celebrate everything we have accomplished together as a safety council. Once again I was blown away!

Thank you for your continued participation and support of our safety council. I hope as you review the highlights below, you will be just as excited as I was. I am truly thankful for each and every one of you and look forward to another great year in 2023!

2022 HIGHLIGHTS

TRAINING EVENTS

  • We hosted 16 total training events in 2022!
  • 9 virtual training events.
  • 6 monthly in-person luncheons.
  • Hosted a two-day OSHA 10 General Industry in-person training in October where 34 participants completed the training receiving their OSHA 10 card.

PODCASTS

  • 42 episodes were published in 2022, totaling 13.62 hours (817m) of original workplace safety content. 
  • We partnered with the Ohio Safety Congress and the NE Ohio Safety Expo for the first time ever to create & publish Podcast Previews with their speakers. As a result, we were able to interview best selling authors, national level speakers and university professors from all over the nation. 
  • All time stats: 270 episodes published, totaling 75.98 hours (4,559m) of original workplace safety & health content, downloaded in over 55 nations!

VIDEO CONTENT

  • Published 20 workplace safety related videos that are available on our YouTube channel and website.
  • 6,623 watch time minutes on YouTube.

EXTRACURRICULAR

  • Mental Health Awareness Campaign: In the spring, we collaborated with Family & Community Services, Kelly Younkins Clinical Consultant & Trumbull County Mental Health & Recovery Board to create & promote our very first official Mental Health Awareness campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
  • Holiday Food Drive: We hosted a holiday food drive at our December luncheon to help those in need. All the non-perishable food donations went to the Center of Hope food pantry in Ravenna. 

We hope you all have a great, safe & happy New Year!

December 2022 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for December 2022!

Our goal for the newsletter is to connect our members to relevant safety resources, all linked together in one convenient location every month. We hope you find this resource useful and valuable!

Please share with your colleagues!

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. Hazard vs. Risk Assessment: What’s the difference? We caught up with Mark Eitzman, Safety and Project Manager at Integrated Mill Systems, for a post-presentation interview after this month’s workplace safety luncheon. Mark did a great job as always, presenting on Staying Safe Around Automation. (8:46)
  2. [Safety Blast] Christmas Driving Safety Tips: Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO gives us some tips on how to stay safe driving for Christmas! (4:15)
  3. [Safety Blast] Driving Safe on New Years! Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO, reminds us to drive safe when celebrating New Years! (3:58)
  4. Working Safely from Elevated Heights: Article by Incident Prevention.
  5. Cold Weather Safety: A short video by Ally Safety. (5:57)
  6. Sign Blindness Is Real – Here’s What You Can Do About It: Article by Safeopedia.
  7. BLS: On-the-job deaths jump 8.9% in 2021, again rising above 5,000: Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  8. Loading/Uploading Wheels: December 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  9. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Podbean, Stitcher, & TuneIn/Alexa! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

PCSC NEWS:

  1. Next In-Person Meeting: January 12, 2023 – OSHA Recordkeeping: Are you ready to post and submit your logs online? Presented by Cari Gray, Industrial Safety Consultant, Ohio BWC.,11:30am-1:00pm, at The Ravenna Elks, located at 776 N. Freedom St in Ravenna, OH. Lunch is $20 for members, $25 for non-member
  2. Only 1 FY23 Sponsorship is Still Available! Sponsorship of a Portage County Safety Council meeting is a cost-effective way to get your business noticed! Only 1 is still available through June 2023. Follow the link for more info.

COMMUNITY NEWS:

  • [Community Spotlight] US Safety Gear Opens in Streetsboro: One of our sponsors, US Safety Gear, hosted a grand opening for their new retail store in Streetsboro, OH. We were honored to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony with two other safety council members! Afterwards, we caught up with Niki Leeworthy, their Territory Sales Rep, to learn more about what they do. (3:19)

August 2022 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for August 2022!

Our goal for the newsletter is to connect our members to relevant safety resources, all linked together in one convenient location every month. We hope you find this resource useful and valuable!

Please share with your colleagues!

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. The Need for Leadership: [Video] Kevin Mowers, President of Crestcom- Extended Management, Inc., joined us to talk about the need for leadership, training & development for employees at every level. (35:31)
  2. Lockout Tagout: An introduction to the control of hazardous energy. A short video by Ally Safety. (3:21)
  3. 5 Ways to Empower Frontline Workers and Improve Industrial Safety: Article by Safeopedia.
  4. OSHA emphasis program targets warehousing, storage and distribution yard operations: Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  5. Hoist Inspection: August 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  6. Ohio BWC Virtual Training: Through December 2022.
  7. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Podbean, Stitcher, & TuneIn/Alexa! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

PCSC NEWS:

  1. NEO Safety Expo – October 20th: This training qualifies as an external training credit. A certificate of completion must be submitted to the PCSC manager before the end of FY23 in order to receive credit.
  2. FY23 In-Person Sponsorships are Now Available! Sponsorship of a Portage County Safety Council meeting is a cost-effective way to get your business noticed! Follow the link for more info.
  3. Next In-Person Meeting: September 8, 2022 – Manufacturing and Society Demand Both Safety and Productivity, presented by Mark Eitzman, Safety and Project Manager, Integrated Mill Systems, 11:30am-1:00pm, at The Ravenna Elks, located at 776 N. Freedom St in Ravenna, OH. Lunch is $20 for members, $25 for non-members & walk-ins.

July 2022 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for July 2022!

Our goal for the newsletter is to connect our members to relevant safety resources, all linked together in one convenient location every month. We hope you find this resource useful and valuable!

Please share with your colleagues!

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. My family’s trauma changed my world: Article by Ohio BWC.
  2. Heat Stress Toolbox Talk: A short video by Ally Safety. (7:25)
  3. First Aid for Chemical Exposure Incidents: Article by Safeopedia.
  4. Everything You Need to Know About Safety Data Sheets: Article by Safeopedia.
  5. Trench Safety – Intro and Competent Person: A short video by the Ohio BWC. (3:27)
  6. Avoid the sting: Working outdoors with insect. Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  7. Keyboard Ergonomics: July 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  8. Ohio BWC Virtual Training: July-December 2022.
  9. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Podbean, Stitcher, & TuneIn/Alexa! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

SAFETY NEWS:

PCSC NEWS:

  1. Enrollment Deadline is July 31st! Renew or enroll by July 31st to qualify for the rebate. Click here to learn how to join now or here for rebate qualifications.
  2. 2022 Programing Survey Results: See the results from this month’s member survey. Thank you to everyone who responded. Our steering committee uses the information to plan & schedule safety training opportunities throughout the year.
  3. FY23 In-Person Sponsorships are Now Available! Sponsorship of a Portage County Safety Council meeting is a cost-effective way to get your business noticed! Follow the link for more info.
  4. Next In-Person Meeting: August 11, 2022 – Getting to the Root: How to Discover the Underlying Issues After an Injury, presented by Nicholas Coia, MPA, Industrial Safety Consultant Specialist, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, 11:30am-1:00pm, at The Ravenna Elks, located at 776 N. Freedom St in Ravenna, OH. Lunch is $20 for members, $25 for non-members & walk-ins.