About.

We at the American Society of Safety Professionals, Southern Oregon Chapter, are very proud to roll out an exciting series of trainings, resources and tools designed to provide safety committee members with everything they need to succeed in their roles. 

​This will continue our long tradition of providing high-quality safety committee training for our region.

Established in 2020

​A few months into the global pandemic of 2020, the Southern Oregon conference planning committee had to make the very difficult decision to cancel our 30th annual Southern Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Conference. In its place, we all agreed that we wanted to give back during this very difficult year. So, we decided to create something new, unique and free. Safety Committee University was born out of that meeting. Every year at the annual Safety Conference we have held a special track designed for safety committee members.

Our Goal

Our goal is to provide high-quality safety and health education to safety leaders, formal and informal. Not only are safety committees required in Oregon, but they are a great way to engage a workforce around safety, improving the culture and building ownership in the operation. Our goal is that this platform would serve the needs of safety committees, fulfill the Oregon OSHA requirement to train all safety committee members and provide a compendium of safety committee resources and information.

Our 2020 Presenters

patti mcguire
regional safety and health supervisor
​saif corporation
​

Patti McGuire is a Regional Safety and Health Supervisor for SAIF Corporation.  She has been with SAIF since November of 2013 and works with consultants and employers in Lane, Coos, Curry, Jackson, Klamath and Lake Counties to improve their safety and health programs and reduce injuries.  Previously she was the Manager of Occupational Health and Safety for Harry & David, overseeing safety and health programs for multiple facilities and 50+ retail stores nationwide.  Patti is an Oregon native and has an AS degree in Business Administration-Accounting; however, she was drawn to the field of human resources early in her career. She also spent five years working in human resources in wood products manufacturing and fifteen years in retail in district and store level operations.

David hanson
Sr. Safety management consultant
​Saif Corporation
​

David Hanson is a Senior Safety Management Consultant at SAIF Corporation providing high-level service to Oregon businesses. He has an expertise building dynamic safety teams and developing high-performing safety cultures. He spent 18 years at Timber Products Company as a Supervisor and Safety Coordinator and facilitated continued certification into Oregon OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). David has a background in industrial safety, is a Safety in Motion Trainer and has organized efforts to improve ergonomics in the workplace. David was recognized for his outstanding efforts in safety and health at the Oregon Governor's Occupational Safety and Health Conference. ​

chris lawrence
western region safety manager
​Boise Cascade Wood Products
​

​With over 20 years in occupational safety and health, Chris Lawrence is a retired US Air Force Safety Professional who is the current Regional Safety Manager for Boise Cascade. Their new-hire orientation starts with a discussion on personal risk management and continues with a series of leadership discussions on what safety is at Boise Cascade Western Oregon Region. This includes integrity, reporting, soundness of mind, behavior expectations, and general safe practices.