Tacoma will host Safety and Health Conference

Registration is now open for the 56th annual Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference Sept. 26 and 27 at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center.

The conference, co-sponsored by the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board and the Department of Labor and Industries, is one of the largest of its kind in the nation and draws thousands of workers, employers, and safety and health professionals.

This year’s theme is “Safety and Health – at Work, Home and Play.” Gov. Chris Gregoire is scheduled to open the conference and present several lifesaving awards, which recognize people who have helped save a life. Keynote speaker is Brad Sago, a principal at the consulting firm Consumer Mindset and a professor of marketing at Whitworth College. His presentation will demonstrate ways to build healthy workplace cultures that bridge generational differences.

Featured conference events and activities include:

— 70-plus industry workshops, including the 2nd annual Small Business Workshop;

— Displays and product demonstrations by more than 100 exhibitors;

— Collision-avoidance driver training;

— 34th annual Pole-top Rescue Competition and 10th annual Forklift Rodeo;

— High-angle building rescue demonstration;

— Demonstration of electrical power dangers by the Grant County PUD;

A $120 advance registration fee covers the two-day event; cost at the door is $140. Groups of 25 or more pay $90 each; students and apprentices pay $20 each.

Registration forms are available at http://www.wagovconf.org/registration.htm . For registration information, call 206-227-0749. For other conference information, call 1-888-451-2004. TDD users call 1-360-902-5797. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Aug. 31, and online registration closes Sept. 15.