Environmental Safety 101

Matt Deutsch, CSP, CHMM – Senior Project Manager, Impact7G, Inc.

Matt Deutsch is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and is a Certified Safety Professional and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager. Matt’s career includes nearly 20 years in the industrial cleaning and environmental services field managing teams to perform safety-sensitive tasks associated with tank cleaning, spill response, site remediation, facility decommissioning, infrastructure rehabilitation, and waste collection and disposal on a scheduled and emergency basis. In his current role, Matt is responsible for managing client projects related to hazardous materials, industrial hygiene, and due diligence, as well as Impact7G’s internal environmental and safety compliance program.

Session Description:

This session will highlight the importance of a thorough hazard recognition process and the control measures necessary to prevent an incident, whether that is an injury, illness, property damage, or environmental impact.

Iowa Workers Compensation Law Updates from a Claims Handling Perspective

Dawn Hays, CPCU SCLA AIC – Workers’ Compensation Claims Supervisor, UFG Insurance

Dawn Hays is a Workers Compensation Claims Supervisor with UFG Insurance in Cedar Rapids, Iowa & is honored to serve as a leader to some of the best claims experts in the industry.  

Dawn’s career path started in advertising.  A temporary detour into the field of insurance has resulted in a permanent 28-year journey of personal and professional fulfillment.

She is an advocate for continuing education and ethical business practices.  Her development strategy is to recognize talent and provide opportunity support to team members building their own careers. Dawn has been a past speaker at local, regional, and national continuing education events as a subject matter expert in best claims handling practices, investigation, negotiation, subrogation,  alternative dispute resolution & litigation.  She is an Iowa City native & graduate of The University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree in Organizational Studies & a Leadership Certificate. 

Session Description:

This session will provide high-level awareness of activity within the workers’ compensation system of Iowa. Also included will be highlights of the best practices for employers and claims professionals to mitigate the potential for litigation exposure.

Highlights from Hawkeye on Safety 2016

On September 8, 2016, more than 500 people gathered at the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center for the third annual Hawkeye on Safety conference. Hundreds of workers from dozens of organizations throughout the region received potentially life-saving information from leading voices in safety and health.

The program was a mix of new content and popular and important sessions from previous years. Topics included fall protection, distracted driving, stress in the workplace, ergonomics, and creating a culture of safety in the workplace. Trainers from the University of Iowa Police Department provided an especially popular presentation called Violent Incident Survival Training, which prepares participants to survive violent incidents like an active shooter scenario.

This year’s conference also introduced two-hour sessions that allowed the conference to address essential topics in much greater detail. Two-hour sessions included the UIPD’s VIST course, an update on OSHA news and rules, safety communication, substance abuse in the workplace and at home, trench and excavation safety, and the 2015 edition of the NFPA 70E safety standard. This format also allowed for a screening of the film A Day’s Work to be followed by an expert discussion panel that provided context for the film. (more…)