2018 Boise Safety Fest
Over 1,200 participants received free training!
Over 1,200 people representing over 240 companies attended the 13th Annual Safety Fest of the Great Northwest in Boise, Idaho. Volunteer instructors (over a third were ASSE members) taught 62 FREE training classes over the 4 day event, which also included a vendor trade show, Opening Ceremony, and Lunch with OSHA. With support from 45 founding partners and vendors across the northwest, the event has emerged as a premier source for free continuing education on safety–focused topics across multiple industries including agriculture, construction, manufacturing, mining, and transportation.
The Boise event is planned and managed by leaders: Randy Danner (Idaho Transportation Department), Jonathan Leatham (St. Luke’s Architecture & Construction), Bill Bankhead (OSHA), Marde Mensigner and Dawn Christensen (LHTAC), Holly Garcia (Micron), and Susie Vader (ASSE). This group coordinated instructors, vendors, and volunteers to carry it forward.
St. Luke’s has been the Title Sponsor for the last two years, providing use of the venue, complete with computers, projectors, classroom equipment, incredible IT support, and sponsorship for CPR/First Aid classes. Payne West Insurance stepped up to support as a Gold Level Sponsor this year. We rely heavily on the financial support from these agencies along with all the vendors who support Safety Fest by purchasing a vendor table for the event.
This year classes included three OSHA 10-hour classes in Construction and General Industry; OSHA 3015, 7105, 7405, and 7505 classes; Responsible Person Training in Erosion Control; ADA Compliance; Forklift Operations Training; a HAZWOPER Refresher; MSHA Refresher, Lead Paint RRP Certified Renovator Course; five First Aid classes, and many more.
Brad Giles led the 2018 opening session, providing a perspective on the history of Safety Fest and the importance of growing safety forward. OSHA Idaho Director David Kearns provided a sobering overview of the year’s safety tragedies, Vern Potter and Jim Duke from Idaho Power shared an engaging presentation on How Our Brains Make Us Blind to Risk, and Joe Lewis, Capitol Protection Specialist with the Idaho State Police, shared a new way to respond to active shooters – Avoid | Deny | Defend.
Thirty-six companies, agencies, and professional organizations participated in the popular two-day trade show featuring the latest in safety and health equipment, training, programs, and resources. Vendor Bingo was a hit with over 40 prizes awarded. This year also included a Grand Prize with over $700 of tools and equipment donated by Edge Construction Supply!
Public response to Safety Fest is overwhelmingly positive and grateful. The continued success of Safety Fest is due to the tireless efforts and contributions of many dedicated volunteers, instructors, vendors, hosts, and founding partners.
“We believe that ongoing safety education is critical to enhancing and expanding safety best practices in our offices, worksites, and our communities.”
Brad Giles
Safety Fest of the Great Northwest—these conferences provide safety and health training to the Northwest Region’s front line workers while gearing classes towards the transportation and construction industry. Local highway jurisdictions and any business looking to improve the safety performance of their employees are encouraged to attend. Regional registration websites are listed at the link below. LHTAC provides this information as a courtesy to inform locals of this free training opportunity. LHTAC sits on the committee for the Boise event and only hosts the Pocatello Safety Fest which is held in April.
For more information visit www.lhtac.org/training/safety-fest/