2015 Oregon GOSH Conference Coming to Portland

Registration opens for largest safety and health event in Northwest

Registration is open for the Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference, to be held March 9–12, 2015, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. With more than 160 workshops and sessions, it is the largest event of its kind in the Northwest.

“An event such as GOSH provides the opportunity for organizations to become re-energized,” said Oregon OSHA Administrator Michael Wood. “Whether we are professionals in the field, or simply committed employers and workers, GOSH can help remind us why health and safety matter. Ultimately, it’s about people—about people going home safe and whole. About people spending time with their friends and families, rather than having that time cut short by a workplace injury, illness, or even death.”

Keynote speaker Jim Wiethorn, a forensic engineer at Haag Engineering, will present “Forensics: It’s Elementary My Dear Watson” on Tuesday, March 10. Wiethorn, who has examined more than 800 crane accidents during his career, will talk about how to effectively conduct an accident investigation.

“The key to forensic investigations is focusing on evidence,” said Wiethorn. “Evidence tells a story. Examine the details, follow the falling dominoes, and you will have the answer.”

Other general topics covered at conference include:

• Safety committee training
• Safety leadership and workplace culture
• Ergonomics
• Regulatory updates

The conference will also feature session tracks on specialties such as utility work, construction, emergency preparedness and response, agriculture, and health care.

Back by popular demand is the Columbia Forklift Challenge and registration is open to participants. Trained forklift drivers will compete for cash in an obstacle course designed to test their skills and safe operation on Wednesday, March 11, 2015.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, is partnering with the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers to sponsor the conference.

For more information on the conference schedule, events or to register, go to www.oregongosh.com.