05.07.2025

TRU stands for Teach, Review and Understand safety – this includes all aspects of safety including human trafficking, safety incidents, cyber security and more. The purpose of this conference is to provide our safety council members, as well as area employees and surrounding communities, with valuable information that addresses accident prevention in the workplace and raises awareness among employees for a healthier safety culture.

Cost | $40.00

$10.00 for Ottawa County Safety Council members

Location | Catawba Island Club

Registration Deadline | Friday, April 25th

THANK YOU SPONSORS

8:30AM BREAKFAST

KEYNOTE BREAKFAST

9:00AM - 10:00AM

INSPIRING A SAFER WORKPLACE

Brad Hurtig

Brad Hurtig is a motivational speaker known for his inspiring “Find a Way” story. Brad grew up in a small town in Ohio and was a standout high school athlete, excelling in football and baseball. However, his life took a dramatic turn after a devastating accident.

In the summer after his sophomore year of high school, Brad lost both of his hands in a workplace accident involving a mechanical press. Determined not to let this tragedy define him, Brad was committed to returning to the football field. With the support of his coach, who told him, “If you’re thirsty enough, you’ll find a way,” Brad adapted and learned how to play football again using specialized prosthetics.

By sharing his story, Brad helps organizations build a stronger, more motivated workforce, where employees are encouraged to approach challenges with determination and creativity. His message fosters a culture where setbacks are viewed as opportunities for growth, ultimately leading to increased productivity, innovation, and employee engagement.

We look forward to hearing from Brad and learning how his experiences can help us foster a more resilient, adaptable, and high-performing workplace.

SESSION #1

10:15AM - 11:15AM

Human Trafficking:
Prevention Through Connection

Professor Tracy McGinley & Dr. Lara Wilken
Bowling Green State University

Human trafficking affects all industries and communities, occurring in both rural and urban areas. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of human trafficking, helping participants understand its scope and how to identify the signs as a bystander. Attendees will gain valuable insights into applying an interpersonal approach to prevent both sex and labor trafficking and explore ways to empower survivors. Raising awareness and educating the public on this issue is essential, and your commitment to doing so is truly commendable.

The Hidden Lessons in
Safety Incidents

Todd Jensen
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

What safety incidents teach us – Explore how safety incident reports go beyond mere compliance. This session delves into the deeper insights that can be gained from incident investigations and how they can be used to drive real change. Learn strategies for transforming incident data into actionable improvements, fostering a proactive safety culture, and enhancing organizational resilience. Discover the true potential of incident reporting and how it can be a powerful tool for continuous learning and development. Fall protection measures, inspections, serious violations.

11:30AM LUNCH

LUNCHEON PRESENTATION

12:00PM - 1:00PM

Workplace Anxiety: The Hidden Crisis

Russell R. Exlos-Raber | Compass Behavior Health

In today’s demanding world, many people are feeling the weight of constant pressure—balancing heavy workloads with the demands of home life. The result? More individuals are becoming overstressed, overwhelmed, and mentally drained. Workplace anxiety is no longer a rare occurrence; it’s a growing concern fueled by long hours, tight deadlines, and the unrelenting expectation to always perform—often intensified by personal responsibilities outside of work.

This anxiety isn’t just a fleeting sense of stress before an important project; it can develop into a chronic issue that affects both mental and physical health. When work-related pressure becomes nonstop, especially when paired with life’s personal stressors, the body and mind begin to suffer. But there’s hope. When employers recognize the signs early and take action through compassionate, people-first policies, they help build a healthier and more supportive workplace. Taking care of employees both on and off the job improves overall well-being—and naturally boosts morale, productivity, and retention.

No matter your role—business owner, supervisor, colleague, or friend—you have the power to make a positive impact. Spotting the warning signs and responding with care and empathy could make all the difference in someone’s life.

SESSION #2

1:15PM - 2:15PM

Drug Trafficking and
Workplace Concerns

Trevor Johnson
Ottawa County Major Crimes Unit

Drug trafficking presents significant risks to workplaces, affecting employee safety, productivity, and overall business operations. The presence of illegal drugs in communities often extends into the workforce, contributing to substance abuse issues, absenteeism, safety hazards, and higher healthcare costs. Industries like manufacturing, transportation, and construction are particularly at risk, where impaired employees can lead to accidents, injuries, and costly disruptions. This session will help attendees understand the link between drug trafficking and workplace issues, offering strategies to work with law enforcement, establish drug-free policies, and promote a safer work environment.

Grain Awareness Programming

INTERACTIVE TOUR

featuring Grain C.A.R.T.
(Comprehensive Agricultural Rescue Trailer)

The Comprehensive Agricultural Rescue Trailer (C.A.R.T.) is an advanced mobile training unit created by The Ohio State University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program to improve grain bin safety and rescue operations. The 40-foot trailer features a working grain bin, grain leg, and gravity flow grain wagon, offering a realistic, hands-on training environment. Through this demonstration, attendees will learn about the hazards at on-farm grain facilities and how farm workers can work safely around these risks. This mobile unit also teaches first responders essential skills such as proper rescue techniques and how to respond quickly and effectively in an emergency. The Grain C.A.R.T. plays a vital role in equipping firemen and agricultural workers with the knowledge and confidence needed to handle grain-related emergencies, strengthening safety in farming communities across Ohio.

SESSION #3

2:30PM - 3:30PM

LEAN/CI Strategies for a
Safer Workplace

Greg Bock, Plant Manager and Jon Ashton, CI Manager
U.S. Gypsum

LEAN Enterprise and Accelerated Navigation (LEAN) and Continuous Improvement (CI) are effective strategies used across manufacturing and various industries to enhance efficiency, minimize waste, and improve overall performance. LEAN focuses on streamlining processes and eliminating non-value-added activities, while CI encourages employees to continuously seek improvements. Together, they foster a culture of innovation, safety, and productivity. Attendees will learn how to apply LEAN and CI principles to identify inefficiencies, optimize resources, and drive continuous improvement in their workplace, ultimately enhancing product quality, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction.

Data Protection:
Proactive Cyber Tactics

Kelley Goldblatt, Cybersecurity Advisor
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Cybersecurity is crucial in the workplace to protect sensitive data, maintain system integrity, and defend against cyber threats. Key cybersecurity practices involve implementing robust access controls, ongoing network monitoring, prompt incident response, and in-depth analysis of system activity to detect potential breaches. A solid cybersecurity strategy enables professionals to proactively address vulnerabilities, identify suspicious activity, and respond quickly to incidents, ensuring the protection of critical information and operational continuity. Attendees will learn effective strategies for strengthening cybersecurity, identifying risks, and implementing measures to protect their organization from evolving threats.

REGISTRATION

Opens Monday, March 24th. Deadline is Friday, April 25th.

SESSIONS

Please choose 1 topic from each of the sessions listed below.

You will receive a confirmation email shortly after submitting your registration. Your official schedule (location, rooms, etc.) will be emailed to you after the April 25th registration deadline.
Held in the CIC Chart Room. Includes a hot breakfast.
Held in the CIC Chart Room. Includes a sandwich buffet.

PAYMENT

*Check with your employer to confirm if you are a TRU Safety Sponsor. If you are a sponsor, you will not be required to pay when you check out. Your employer will be billed appropriately based on their sponsorship level.
$0.00
Please click SUBMIT even if your Total Amount is $0.

Contact

8200 W. State Route 163

Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

 

(419) 898-6242

 

Email

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