16th annual safety conference holds workshops and presentations

ESCANABA — A gathering held today in Delta County was all about one thing… Safety.

The 16th annual Upper Michigan Safety Conference was held at Bay College in Escanaba. The conference held workshops and presentations geared towards keeping workers safe in any environment.

This year’s keynote speaker was Eric Giguere. Eric was buried alive in a workplace accident that could have been prevented.

“We want our participants to take away that safety is their responsibility,” said Renee Lundberg, Training Manager at Bay College. “Companies have safety directors or safety programs, but ultimately it’s their choice and their responsibility and they have to be accountable to themselves to take safety back.”

“Our consultants are available to them throughout the year, so it’s an opportunity for them to put a face to a name and get their business card,” said Nella Davis–Ray of MIOSHA. “We’re available by phone and e–mail. We go out to worksites and talk about safety and health issues.”

Among the highlights of the conference, officials setup a special presentation for a certain group of people.

“We have about 120 Dickinson and Schoolcraft ISD students and Stephenson High School students coming here,” said Lundberg. “Our keynote is going to give a special presentation to them and they’re going to receive some safety supplies. We’re really looking forward to exposing our high school students to safety before they get out in the workforce.”

In addition to all of the classes available at the conference, everyone took part in the Workers Memorial Day roll call.