Safety Congress and Expo opens today in Chicago

The importance and challenge of emergency preparedness in the face of growing American concern about manmade and natural disasters will take center stage next week at Chicago's McCormick Place as 15,000 safety, health and environmental professionals gather for the National Safety Council’s 95th Congress and Expo.

Titled “Safety Works,” this year’s Congress, October 15-19, reflects a trend in the safety, health and environment industry to better prepare our communities, homes and businesses for emergencies.

Among the keynote speakers to address this year’s Congress are The Honorable Thomas J. Ridge, the first U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Dennis Schrader, Deputy Administrator of the National Preparedness Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Congress also features an Expo with more than 850 exhibitors showcasing the latest cutting-edge safety and security products. This year’s program offers nine new tracks of technical sessions dedicated to emerging issues, research, business and industry, and other fields. Topics covered include current and growing issues in occupational, transportation and home & community safety, ranging from drugs in the workplace to special concerns for an aging workforce, sleep deprivation and stress, workplace violence and the role of management in safety.

At the Congress, the Council will officially take leadership of the World Health Organization’s “Safe Communities” initiative in the United States. In this role, the Council will provide support and guidance for American communities pursuing the WHO “Safe Community” designation. Only 120 communities worldwide have achieved this recognition by demonstrating innovative and effective educational programs to promote safety and prevent disabling injuries in their communities.

The Council also will present numerous awards, including its 2007 international Robert W. Campbell Award to Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO). The first company outside North America to receive this award for business excellence through safety, health and environment (SH&E) management, BAPCO officials including chief executive Dr. Mustafa Al-Sayed, will accept the award.

The Congress & Expo program is available online at http://www.congress.nsc.org/. Highlights are as followed:

National Safety Council

Monday, October 15, 2007

8:15 a.m. – Opening Session

8:25 a.m. – Alan C. McMillan, president and CEO, National Safety Council

8:40 a.m. – Robert W. Campbell Award, Dr. Mustafa Al-Sayed, CEO, The Bahrain Petroleum Company

8:30 a.m. – Dr. Leif Svanstrom, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Community Safety Promotion

8:50 a.m. – Keynote Address, The Honorable Thomas J. Ridge, First Secretary of Homeland Security and former Governor of Pennsylvania

10:00 a.m. – Keynote Address, Dennis Schrader, Deputy Administrator of the National Preparedness Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

1:30 p.m. – Occupational Keynote Panel Discussion

Panelists: Richard Stickler, Assistant Secretary of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)

Dr. John Howard, Director National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

8:00 a.m. – Safe Communities Keynote

Dr. Illeana Arais, CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Paul Kells, M.S.M., founder and president, Safe Communities Foundation, Canada

Diana Ekman, MPH, PhD, World Health Organization Safe Communities Collaborating Center

Wednesday, October 15, 2007

8:00 a.m. – The Human Side of Prevention

Dr. Scott Geller, PhD, senior partner, Safety Performance Solutions

Charlie Morecraft, president, Phoenix Safety Management

The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) is a non-profit, non-governmental, public service organization. Members of the NSC include businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the National Safety Council is committed to preventing accidental injuries in the workplace, on roads and highways, and in homes and communities.