Conference will dedicate two days to safety issues

- Winter 2000 "Update" Newsletter Article -

Conference will dedicate two days to safety issues

The theme of agricultural safety will dominate the landscape of the San Luis Obispo, California area next month as the sixth annual AgSafe Conference is held there Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 2 and 3, 2000. All sessions will be at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

This marks the first time the event is held in San Luis Obispo. And though the venue has changed, participants can expect the same outstanding training and information as in the past will be provided at this year’s event, stated AgSafe director Kimberly Naffziger.

Highlighting the conference will be special presentations by two speakers: Wendy Schallman, known as the “Safety goddess,” will open the event with a blend of humor and practical information in discussing “Effective Communication: How to Ask for What You Want.” In a luncheon address on Feb. 3, Ben Lavery III, president of the California Safety Training Corporation, will discuss the differences between training and motivation and the importance of each in obtaining desired results.

More than 30 workshops will be offered during the two-day event, which is designed for growers, managers, supervisors and others working in the area of agriculture and related fields. Information and training will be provided by a variety of specialists in agricultural health and safety. Topics will include safety management, workers’ compensation, ergonomics, safety compliance for growers and farm labor contractors, supervisor training, and California Agricultural Safety Certificate Program classes.

Several workshops will be taught in Spanish as well as English, including a special session for trainers of agricultural field-workers. This workshop qualifies participants to train agricultural field-workers according to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s and the U.S. EPA’s worker protection standard requirements.

A networking reception will be held Feb. 3 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., providing an opportunity for attendees to meet and exchange ideas and information with other safety professionals.

The conference is sponsored by AgSafe; the Center for Agricultural Business and the California Agricultural Technology Institute at California State University, Fresno; the Center for Environmental and Occupation Health, University of California, Berkeley; and the National Institute of Occupations Safety and Health.

The San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau is the host farm bureau.

Cost to attend the entire conference is $190 for AgSafe members and $250 for non-members, for registrations postmarked by Jan. 26. One-day rates are $100 for AgSafe members and $125 for non-members, for registrations postmarked by Jan. 26. Rates increase $20 for all registrations after Jan. 26.

For more information about attending the Sixth Annual AgSafe Conference, call (559) 278-4404 or visit the CAB web site at www.atinet.org/cati/cab.

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