HFC Safety Council Schedule: 2024/2025
**Meeting details subject to change.**

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

The HFC Safety Council meets on the First Wednesday of the month from 11:30AM to 1PM. We rotate between Hillsboro (Highland), Washington Court House (Fayette), and Wilmington (Clinton) locations. 

PLEASE NOTE: We will have new meeting locations in all three counties this year:


Highland: Southern State Community College, Room 107, 100 Hobart Drive, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Fayette: The Depot on Main, 215 South Main Street, Washington CH, OH 43160

Clinton: Southern Ohio Educational Service Center (SOESC), 3321 Airborne Rd, Wilmington, OH 45177


Sept. 11, 2024*: Southern State Community College (Highland): Can I Get High on my Break?
Oct. 2, 2024: The Depot on Main (Fayette): Weather Preparedness
Nov. 6, 2024: SOESC (Clinton): Stop the Bleed
Dec. 4, 2024: Southern State Community College (Highland): TBA
NOW Jan. 15, 2025*: The Depot on Main (Fayette): Contractor Safety
Feb. 5, 2025: SOESC (Clinton): Industrial Commission Claims
March 5, 2025: Southern State Community College (Highland): OHSA Update
April 2, 2025: The Depot on Main (Fayette): Safety and AI
May 7, 2025: SOESC (Clinton): Protecting Your Business: Avoiding Lawsuits & Insurance Claims from Employee Incidents
June 4, 2025: Southern State Community College (Highland): Legalities and Limitations of Hiring Minors


(See below for more meeting details!)



June 4th: Legal How To’s of Hiring High School Labor in Ohio

There are two sets of laws that must be followed when employing minors – federal and state.  These laws may differ somewhat, and the most stringent of the two sets of laws must be followed.  We will discuss what these laws require and how to be compliant when hiring minors.
 
Presented by Alexis Switzer, Attorney at Law | Frost Brown Todd LLP
Alexis is an Attorney in the Labor & Employment Practice Group with Frost Brown Todd LLP in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She has experience working on litigation matters involving clams of discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful discharge.  Alexis also frequently assists businesses with all aspects of Human Resources and Employment law, including workplace compliance and workplace policy development and drafting.  See more at: https://frostbrowntodd.com/people/alexis-switzer/.
 

​Date: Wednesday, June 4th, 2025
Time: Registration, Lunch, and Networking begins 11:30AM; Presentation from 12PM – 1PM
Cost: Meeting registration (includes attendance and lunch) is $25/per person (cash, check, credit accepted at door; pre-paid options available - see below!)

NEW 2025 Location:  
 Southern State Community College, Room 107, 100 Hobart Drive, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133


REGISTER HERE (by 6/2): Click here to RSVP 

Who to Invite: (EVERYONE!!!)
In addition to your primary Safety Council representative, we encourage you to invite any employees who would benefit from this month's topic!


ADDITIONAL HFC MEETING: Seal-Tite Tour on May 23rd

The Highland County Chamber of Commerce and the Highland Fayette Clinton (HFC) Safety Council are proud to partner for a special behind-the-scenes tour at Seal-Tite, in celebration of the company’s 125th anniversary. The event will take place on Friday, May 23, 2025, and is open to Safety Council members, Chamber members, and invited guests.


The event will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m., followed by a guided facility tour beginning at 10:00 a.m., offering a unique opportunity to learn more about Seal-Tite’s long-standing commitment to both safety and innovation in the HVAC industry.


Founded in 1900, Seal-Tite has evolved into a trusted national manufacturer of flexible air duct systems, continuing a proud legacy of craftsmanship, customer service, and safe workplace practices. As a family-owned and operated business, Seal-Tite places a high value on employee wellbeing and operational safety—principles that will be on full display during the tour.
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The event will be held at Seal-Tite’s headquarters located at 120 Moore Road, Hillsboro, OH.

This event will count as one regular Safety Council meeting for active HFC Safety Council members. 
For more information, please contact Jamie Wheeler at [email protected]. 



​May 7th: Protecting Your Business: Avoiding Lawsuits & Insurance Claims from Employee Incidents


When accidents happen—on the road, on the job site, or in the office—the ripple effects can be costly for employers. Join us for a proactive session led by a personal injury attorney who will walk us through common legal pitfalls and how to avoid them. Learn how to protect your organization from liability by tightening policies, improving documentation, and understanding the legal implications of employee-related incidents.
 
Presented by Josh Hodges, Kruger & Hodges LLC

Josh Hodges has been lucky enough to have life experiences that set him apart from most lawyers. Soon after high school, he got a full-time job at a factory. This was not a summer job between semesters of college, this was his living. At this job, he ran a machine that dipped hot pieces of metal into liquid plastic and he came home every day dirty and smelling of burnt plastic fumes. This job led to another factory job where he worked 3rd shift. During this time, he went to class at Miami Hamilton often with nothing more than a thirty-minute nap in the parking lot. However, he kept getting up and going to work and showing up to class until he graduated with honors. Josh knows nothing other than putting his head down and getting the job done. He also knows what it is like to struggle and this gives him a valuable perspective when dealing with his clients many of whom are in his office due to some type of difficult situation.


Josh has also been lucky enough to obtain professional experience that sets him apart from most lawyers. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Salmon P. Chase College of Law where he was elected Student Bar Association President and National Treasurer of NLLSA. Due to his outstanding academic record, he was offered a job at one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the Midwestern United States. In this role, he garnered experiences in many types of cases and represented large corporations and governmental entities. Namely, he was involved in defense side civil litigation including the defense of personal injury claims. Josh is one of the very few local lawyers with this type of big law firm experience and this proves invaluable to his clients.


After getting valuable experience at other firms, and assisting clients both throughout the country and internationally, Josh decided to bring his practice to his hometown of Hamilton, Ohio. This is where he lives, where his child goes to school, where many of his friends and family are, and that is where he wants to serve. Josh practices personal injury law throughout Southwest Ohio. He lives in one of Hamilton’s great historic neighborhoods with his wife, son, and baby daughter. He loves his family, his community, and gives his clients everything he has. As part of this love for his community, Josh has additionally dedicated much of his time to showcasing many local businesses and local leaders through his various social media accounts, appropriately named “The Hometown Lawyer.”



April 2nd: Technology's Role in the Future of Workplace Safety


Technology is an important component of everyday life. Its role in helping to keep our workplaces safe is ever increasing. Learn about existing technologies available to safety professionals and the future of technology's role, specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), in helping to keep people safe. Learn how AI can identify high risk behaviors and near-misses and through coaching and intervention strategies how this technology/human partnership can reduce injuries in the workplace.
 
Presented by Mike Stangl, Voxel 
Mike leads sales efforts for the East region at Voxel working with a diverse customer base spanning many industry and facility types. Last year, Fast Company recognized Voxel as one of “The 10 most innovative companies in artificial intelligence of 2023,” after the company's successes using the technology to improve workplace safety.

The Future of Safety Tech Presentation

Contact:

Michael Stangl
Sales Director - East
216-538-9621

Additional Safety Tech Resources
·       The Role of AI in the Future of Work - NIOSH
·       AI and On The Job Safety - University of Illinois
·       NSC Work to Zero - Safety Tech Guidance
·       Wearables and AI - Forbes
·       What is AI for Safety
·       AI Safety Champions Portal
·       Five  Emerging Technologies in Ergo - ASSP
·       NSC Statement on Biden Admin Exec Order on AI
·       The Comp Compass - Reducing Workplace Injuries for New Employees with AI Tech
·       AI and the Future of Work: Moving Forward Together - NSC
·       HPR - A Strategic Approach to Property and Asset Protection




March 5th: Fire Sprinkler Systems and Fire Extinguishers


A well-maintained sprinkler system and properly trained staff can mean the difference between a minor incident and a devastating fire. This session will highlight the critical role of working sprinkler systems in fire prevention and suppression, as well as the importance of equipping employees with the knowledge and confidence to use fire extinguishers effectively. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for fire safety preparedness to protect lives and property.

Presented by Chief Tim Downing, Fire Chief, Washington Court House Fire Department

Chief Downing has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Service Leadership and is a National Association of Fire Investigators Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, a State of Ohio Certified Fire Safety Inspector, a Fire and Life Safety Educator II, and a Youth Firesetter Interventionist. He also formerly held certifications as an International Association of Arson Investigators Fire Investigation Technician and Evidence Collection Technician.

In addition to investigating fires and performing inspections, as Fire Chief, he has planned and implemented several programs to improve the safety of the community, reducing the occurrence and severity of fires. He has built partnerships with local, state, and national organizations to provide smoke alarms for the citizens of Fayette County and fire safety materials to students from preschool to 5th grade. He is an active member of Rotary and Kiwanis, building relationships and connections to help maintain a safer community. Due to his leadership, the department works more closely than ever with neighboring departments, providing better service to all customers by sharing resources.
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He has also become a leader in the Ohio Prevention and Education Network, a group of safety-minded educators who share information to build a safer Ohio. In addition, he has brought together a group of stakeholders and will be restarting Safety Town in the community, believing that all agencies have important safety information to share. He has accomplished all this while maintaining and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the fire department.



February 5th: How to Play Good Defense:  A Playbook for Employers


Using sports analogies, we will discuss how to effectively defend your Workers’ Compensation claims administratively before the Industrial Commission of Ohio and in the Court of Common Pleas.

Presented by Michelle Bach, Workers Compensation Department Chair, Coolidge Wall

Michelle Bach practices in the area of Workers’ Compensation defense. She is recognized as a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law by the Ohio State Bar Association.



January 15th: Contractor Safety

Join us for a Safety Council class on Contractor Safety, where we’ll explore essential best practices and compliance requirements to ensure a safe and efficient working environment. Presented by Joe Jefferies, Valero. 

Joe is the HSE Manager at Valero Renewable Fuels Company, Bloomingburg Ethanol Plant.  He has a B.S and M.S in Occupational Safety and Health and is a Certified Safety Professional with over 35 years of experience.  Joe has been in and around the residential construction industry most of his life and owned a residential and light commercial construction business specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodels.     

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December 4th: Hearing Conservation and Best Practices

This month's presentation will over the basics of hearing and hearing loss, the elements of a hearing conservation program, and best practices that go beyond OSHA’s requirements.

Speaker: Chris Brann, M.S., Industrial Hygienist
Chris is an industrial hygienist with OHIO BWC. He has a B.S in environmental health sciences and a M.S in industrial hygiene. He has been with BWC since 2018.



November 6th: Stop the Bleed
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Stop the Bleed

UC Health Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care is offering a free “Stop the Bleed” course for medical and non-medical personnel in the community to aid in injury prevention.

The Stop the Bleed program builds national resilience by teaching the public life-saving bleeding control techniques to aid individuals in a variety of situations. Uncontrolled bleeding injuries can result from natural and manmade disasters and from everyday accidents. If this bleeding is severe, it can kill within minutes, potentially before trained responders can arrive. Providing bystanders with basic tools and information on the simple steps they can take in an emergency situation to stop life threatening bleeding can save lives. Research has shown that bystanders, with little or no medical training, can become heroic lifesavers.

Presented by: Gina Menninger RN
​
Gina is the Trauma Prevention and Outreach Coordinator for UC Health’s Trauma center. In her role, Gina, plans, develops, and oversees prevention programs for the trauma center. She coordinates community education programs with the regards to prevention of unintentional injury, to decrease injury rates and improve treatment and trauma care, and positively increase public awareness through community outreach.   The #1 cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding and Gina feels deeply that education early on will prevent the statistics from continuing to trend up as trauma continues to the be leading cause of death for those age one to forty and third leading cause of death for all ages.


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October 2nd: Weather Preparedness for Businesses
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Weather Preparedness for Businesses

In today’s ever-changing climate, businesses must be ready for any weather-related disruptions that could impact operations, employee safety, and client relations. This presentation on Weather Preparedness for Businesses will provide critical insights into how companies can develop comprehensive weather-readiness plans to minimize risks and ensure continuity.
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By the end of this session, participants will have a clearer understanding of how to protect their business, employees, and customers from the unpredictable forces of nature while maintaining operational resilience. Whether you're a small business or a larger enterprise, weather preparedness is essential to long-term success.


Presented by:
Melissa Havens – Fayette County EMA Directory
Tom Breckel – Clinton County EMA Director
Dave Bushelman – Highland County EMA Director
 
Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during emergencies, and follow up with the recovery phase. Then bring things full circle by mitigating what they can to attempt to make things less severe “next time.”

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September 11th: RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA: Can I GET HIGH On My Break?  EFFECTIVELY ADDRESSING EMPLOYEE SUBSTANCE ABUSE
​
Thanks so much for coming to my session for the Highland-Fayette-Clinton Safety Council …
 
Understanding Ohio’s New Recreational Marijuana Law
 
As soon as my directions for obtaining Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program are finished, I will shoot them off to you. REMEMBER: You can get up to $2,000.00 each year for developing and updating your policy and up to $5,000.00 each year for Substance Abuse training reimbursement from the state of Ohio.  
 
Please find attached the slides I said I would forward to you, as well as the reasonable suspicion checklist.
 
To view the free BRAIN HEALTH videos I told you about, click onto this hotlink and look at the bottom of the page for these icons: https://scottwarrick.com/lunch-learn/
 
To learn more about what all I offer to help you run your organization, just go to https://scottwarrick.com/.
 
If you would like to talk about working with your organization, just give me a call (614-738-8317) or shoot me an email at [email protected]) and we can chat.  
 
Scott
 
Scott Warrick Human Resource Consulting & Employment Law Services
1147 Matterhorn Drive, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
(614) 738-8317    [email protected]
www.scottwarrick.com




Presented by Scott Warrick, JD, MLHR, CEQC, SHRM-SCP
Scott Warrick Human Resource Consulting & Employment Law Services

Scott Warrick ( www.scottwarrick.com ) is a practicing Employment Law Attorney, Human Resource Professional and three-time best-selling author with over 40 years of hands-on experience. Scott uses his unique background to help organizations get where they want to go, which includes coaching and training managers and employees on site in his own unique, practical and entertaining style.

Scott combines the areas of law and human resources to help organizations in “Solving Employee Problems BEFORE They Start.” Scott’s goal is NOT to win lawsuits. Instead, Scott’s goal is to PREVENT THEM while improving EMPLOYEE MORALE.

Scott’s first book, Solve Employee Problems Before They Start: Resolving Conflict in the Real World , is a #1 Best Seller for Business and Conflict Resolution. It was also named by EGLOBALIS as one of the best global Customer and Employee books for 2020-2021. Scott’s next book, Living The Five Skills of Tolerance , is also a #1 Best Seller in 13 categories on Amazon. His most recent book, Healing The Human
Brain , is an International Best Seller in 14 categories with sales in over a dozen countries worldwide.

Scott Trains Managers & Employees ON-SITE in over 50 topics , all of which are customized for each client. Scott is a national speaker who travels the country presenting seminars on such topics as Healing The Human Brain, Employment Law, Conflict Resolution, Leadership and Tolerance, to mention a few.

Scott is also a seven-time SHRM National Diversity Conference presenter. In 2023, he presented his ground-breaking “TOLERANCE & BRAIN HEALTH” program.
Scott’s MASTER HR TOOL KIT SUBSCRIPTION is a favorite for anyone wanting to learn Employment Law and run an HR Department.

Scott’s videos are also favorite tools for anyone wanting easy, convenient and affordable access to in-house training, including his SCOTT’S SUPERVISOR MASTER VIDEO SERIES and his STOP BULLYING & HARASSMENT NOW! video, which complies with all of the new EEOC Harassment Training Guidelines.

Scott was named one of Business First’s 20 People To Know In HR by CEO Magazine’ and a Human Resources “Superstar” in 2008. Scott also received the Linda Kerns Award for Outstanding Creativity in HR and the Ohio State Human Resource Council’s David Prize for Creativity in HR Management.

Scott’s academic background and awards include Capital University College of Law (Class Valedictorian (1st out of 233) and Summa Cum Laude), Master of Labor & Human Resources and B.A. in Organizational Communication from The Ohio State University.

For more information on Scott, just go to www.scottwarrick.com.