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22nd Annual Safety & Health Seminar - A Great Success!

The 22nd Annual Safety & Health Seminar was held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center, ODU. The Seminar was a great success due to the diligent efforts of the 16 members of the Safety Seminar planning committee led by John Davis of Crofton Diving Corporation. The seminar attracted over 244 attendees.

There were 182 registrants signed up to attend representing over 55 VSRA member companies.  Also in attendance were representatives from OSHA and Shipbuilders Council of America.

We want to extend our appreciation to the 54 representatives in attendance representing 32 sponsor companies and for the attractive displays they provided.

Many thanks to our 9 keynote speakers and presenters whose presentations provided attendees timely and beneficial information vital to safety in the ship repair industry. 

Also, thanks to the 5 Board Executives, Dave Thomas (BAE); Tom Godfrey (Colonna’s); Tom Epley (MHI); Kevin Terry (NASSCO – Norfolk); and Ray Wittersheim (Tecnico), who participated in an Executive Panel Discussion. The importance of this year’s safety theme, “SAFETY LIVE IT. SHARE IT.” was underscored by the remarks of the panel

This year, past attendees were spotlighted: Tim Sawyer; Mike Norfleet, and Ron Baird from NASSCO – Norfolk, who shared their story.

Agenda highlights included:  OSHA Top 5 Accidents/Injuries; Fall Protection; Fire Preventer (FireWatch); Lock Out Tag Out Plus; Near Misses Speak Up; and Confined Space. This year we also had a Supervisor Track:  Defining Your Leadership Culture; Communicating Effectively – Reinforcing Expectations in the Workplace; and What’s on your Radar.

Seminar attendees were impacted by a powerful Signal Safety video, “Leading Change” presented during the Lunch session. 

Additional highlights of the event were the “Jeopardy” game and numerous prize drawings.  Plans are already underway for next year’s 23rd Annual Safety & Health Seminar.  Please plan on supporting safety by sponsoring this important event in 2018.

If you are interested in participating in the planning committee or in sponsoring the 2018 event, please contact Sylvia Bell at sbell@VirginiaShipRepair.org or (757)233-7034.


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