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  • VPPPA and EHS Today Announce Co-Location of Safety+ Symposium and Safety Leadership Conference Events

VPPPA and EHS Today Announce Co-Location of Safety+ Symposium and Safety Leadership Conference Events

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FALLS CHURCH, VA. — The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) announced today that the 2023 Safety+ Symposium will co-locate with EHS Today’s Safety Leadership Conference. The co-location is set to take place September 17 – 20, 2023 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida.

“EHS Today is one of the premier resources for safety and health professionals looking for news and insights to help shape their EHS&S programs,” said Chris Williams, VPPPA Executive Director. “Partnering with EHS Today to host the Safety Leadership Conference at VPPPA’s 2023 Safety+ Symposium—where the ‘best of the best’ connect to learn, network and advance safety and health excellence—provides our shared communities with even more opportunities to engage in continuous improvement as we pursue zero-injury workplaces.”

Dave Blanchard, Content Director, Safety Leadership Conference, and Editor-in-Chief, EHS Today concurs. “EHS Today is excited to be co-locating our annual Safety Leadership Conference with VPPPA’s Safety+ Symposium, an event like ours that is dedicated to advancing the occupational safety and health profession. Having two prestigious safety events at a world-class resort in Orlando will offer EHS professionals a wealth of insights, information, solutions, and best practices that will help them do their jobs better and keep their workplaces safer.”

VPPPA’s Safety+ Symposium is the premier forum for occupational safety and health professionals, with participants representing individuals from OSHA-approved VPP sites, sites seeking VPP approval, and organizations striving to improve their safety and health management systems. This year, the event will feature two and a half days of educational workshops with focus on the four pillars of VPP: Management Leadership and Employee Involvement, Worksite Analysis, Hazard Recognition and Controls, and Safety Training and Education. In addition, attendees will also have access to an exhibit hall with more than 150 vendors, evening receptions, pre-symposium workshops, and Special Government Employee (SGE) training.

EHS Today’s Safety Leadership Conference provides safety leaders in the manufacturing, construction, distribution, transportation, utilities, and other industrial sectors a valuable platform for networking and new business development in the environment health and safety community. The 2023 conference program will feature EHS Today’s America’s Safest Companies Awards, which VPPPA members and Safety+ Symposium attendees are encouraged to apply for.

Save the Date

VPPPA’s 2023 Safety+ Symposium will run from September 17, 2023, through September 20, 2023; EHS Today’s Safety Leadership Conference will take place September 18 – 20, 2023 during the event as a standalone, three-day interactive conference. Registrants attending either the Safety+ Symposium or the Safety Leadership Conference will be eligible to receive discounted pricing on the other co-located event.

Registration for the Safety+ Symposium will open on March 7, 2023; for updates and more information, please visit safety.vpppa.org.

For more information about EHS Today’s Safety Leadership Conference 2023, please visit safetyleadershipconference.com.

About EHS Today

Owned by Endeavor Business Media, EHS Today is the leading US media brand for environmental, health, and safety management professionals in the manufacturing, construction, and service sectors. It provides trends, management strategies, regulatory news and new products that help managers keep workers and the workplace safe.

About VPPPA

VPPPA, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization committed to advancing safety excellence in the workplace with the goal of protecting every worker, everywhere. VPPPA holds one national conference each year along with regional conferences throughout the United States. Visit vpppa.org for information on additional information events or to learn more.

Press Contact

Ariana Hanaity
Communications Coordinator
ahanaity@vpppa.org

Jacqueline "Jackie" Annis is an industrial hygienist with the Office of Partnerships and Recognition, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs in OSHA’s National Office.  Jackie’s primary responsibilities include developing and overseeing internal policies and procedures for the VPP, reviewing VPP on-site evaluation reports for process safety management information, serving as the National Office liaison for two of OSHA’s ten Regions, and facilitating the management of OSHA’s National Strategic Partnership Program.  She is an integral part of OSHA’s National Office team. 

She has served with the Agency for 36 years, including five years as a senior industrial hygienist in OSHA’s Office of Health Enforcement, Directorate of Enforcement Programs in the National Office and 17 years as a compliance safety and health officer in the Denver, CO Area Office.  Prior to her tenure at OSHA, Jackie worked as an industrial hygienist for the Department of the Navy in Alameda, California.  Jackie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in 1983.

Wayne Howard earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis and has spent 12 years with Shell (at Martinez) refinery, 3 years with the consulting firm Process Safety, 15 years with Valero (at Benicia), and the last 10 years in the Corporate Process Safety Department. He is the Valero representative to AFPM's Advancing Process Safety Initiative.

Nathan Obaugh, PE is a senior engineer in the Safety and Operational Excellence Group at NuStar Energy. Nathan has over 10 years of PSM and process design experience in the petrochemical, refining and midstream industries. At NuStar, Nathan oversees all elements of the corporate PSM program and works directly on hazard analysis, process safety studies, PSM/RMP audits and provides process engineering support to the operations and capital projects groups.

Jared Teter, PhD is a senior staff scientist with a background in physics and hazards analysis. He has extensive experience in subscale testing of energetic materials and has served as program manager for several large testing and risk management projects. He has applied engineering and risk management protocols while evaluating the risk associated with propellant and explosives manufacturing, combustible dust, and other hazardous material related processes.

Tim Belitz has a degree in Environmental Health/Industrial Hygiene from Old Dominion University and a Master’s from Duke University. He has over 25 years of Industrial Health Safety and Environmental Experience and is a Certified Safety Professional. He has many years focused on Contractor Management and Process Safety programs.

Rob Walker graduated from Virginia Tech in Microbiology and Chemical Engineering. Rob has almost 35 years of experience working in the chemical plant and refining industry. His passion for Process Safety and Mechanical Integrity began very early in his career. Rob began with his current company, Honeywell, back in 2011.

Prasad Joshi has B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Chemical Engineering from two universities in India. Prasad has over 30 years’ experience in the business. He began with Honeywell in May 2022 as Principal Maintenance Engineer. He has worked internationally in Asia and Europe.