
Alabama Governor's Safety and Health Conference
August 24-26, 2026
Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, AL
Mission:
To promote occupational safety and health in Alabama by providing an annual forum for the sharing of knowledge and the recognition of excellence.
Why do our attendees return year after year?
The Alabama Governor’s Safety and Health Conference is the premier safety and health conference in the Southeast. You will receive top-quality training from experts across the industry via engaging keynote speakers and more than 50 concurrent sessions. You will have time to interact with 70+ vendors who are excited to share innovative products and services. You will also increase your professional network with activities designed to create connections among attendees.
Available Dates | August 24-26, 2026 |
Registration Fee | $595 |
Location and Lodging | Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, AL |
Keynote Speakers | TBD |
Who Should Attend
Is safety your job or have you been thrust into safety? Are you a front-line supervisor responsible for other workers? Are you in workers’ comp or human resources? Do you work for a small company, and wear many hats? Are you involved with a safety and health program in your company? Then you should attend this conference!
- Safety & Health Professionals
- Plant Superintendents
- Human Resource Managers
- Compliance Managers
- Loss Control Specialists
- Building Superintendents
- Safety Training Supervisors
- State Agencies
- Academic Researchers in the Safety Arena
- Environmental Professionals
- Occupational Health Nurses
- Case Managers
- Workers’ Compensation Managers
Agenda
2026 Agenda to be published in March 2026.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Time | Event |
---|---|
2:00 – 6:00 pm | Vendor Registration/Check-in |
3:00 – 7:30 pm | Conference Registration/Check-In (Hotel check-in begins at 4:00 pm) |
5:30 – 7:00 pm | Welcome Reception |
Monday, August 25, 2025
Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
---|---|---|
7:00 – 8:00 am | Conference Breakfast Buffet | |
8:15 – 8:30 am | Opening, Welcome, and Pledge | |
8:30 – 8:45 am | Introduction of Keynote Speaker | |
8:45 – 9:45 am | Keynote Presentation | Billy Parker |
9:45 – 10:45 am | Break in the Exhibit Hall | |
10:45 am – noon | Breakout Sessions Group I | |
Session 101 A Strategy to Drive Employee Engagement: Rethink How People Work | Donna Chetta, Wellness Dimensions, LLC | |
Session 102 What the H?!? (Exploring the “H” in EHS – Introduction to Industrial Hygiene) | Jared Choat, Alabama Technology Network | |
Session 103 Interlanguage Communication Strategies | Chad Peterson, GSP, Seretta Construction, Inc. | |
Session 104 Preventing Mass Attacks in Our Communities | Robert Grooms, United States Secret Service | |
Session 105 New to Safety, Part 1 | Danny Smith, SafeStart Butch Owens, (retired) Golden Flake/Utz Snack Foods | |
Session 106 ADEM NPDES Update/ABCs of ADEM Rulemaking and AEPACS | Scott Jackson, ADEM Lynn Roper, ADEM | |
Session 107 Technology as a Proven Preventative Safety Solution | Paul Thurber, Everguard.ai | |
Session 108 Build a SAFE Workforce N.O.W. | Ryan McCuiston, NAFCO | |
12:00 – 1:00 pm | Conference Luncheon | |
1:30 – 2:45 pm | Breakout Sessions Group II | |
Session 209 Leading with Purpose: How New Safety Leaders Can Embrace Servant Leadership for Greater Impact | Scott Gaddis, Intelex Technologies | |
Session 210 Exoskeletons: Considerations for Supporting Workers | Mark C. Schall, Jr, Auburn University Yadrianna Acosta-Sojo, Auburn University | |
Session 211 Excavation and Trenching by the Numbers | Dennis Keplinger, Professional Safety Training LLC | |
Session 212 Geospatial and Statistical Analysis for Quantifying the Impact of Hurricanes on Occupational Health and Safety | Solomon Sesesie Ajasa, The University of Alabama | |
Session 213 New to Safety, Part 2 | Danny Smith, SafeStart Butch Owens, (retired) Golden Flake/Utz Snack Foods Chris Hicks, CSP, Brett/Robinson | |
Session 214 The Hidden Cost of Inefficiency: Ways to Reduce Waste and Save Money | Kevin Covington, The University of Alabama SafeState | |
Session 215 Full Heart Safety (Developing your Safety Culture) | Spencer Harris, AC Legg | |
Session 216 An Exploration of AI Use in Workplace Hazard Analysis | Claude Santiago, The University of Alabama SafeState | |
2:45 – 3:00 pm | Break | |
3:00 – 4:15 pm | Breakout Sessions Group III | |
Session 317 Leading from the Front: Transforming Workplace Safety Through Leadership Excellence Robert Purvis, City of Daphne, Alabama | Robert Purvis, City of Daphne, Alabama | |
Session 318 Regulatory Compliance in the Occupational Hygiene World | Kristy Olive, CIH, CSP, EnSafe Chase Murphy, EnSafe | |
Session 319 Why Do My Employees Have to be Told to Wear PPE Daily? | Angie Bowen, Bradley Plumbing & Heating, Inc. | |
Session 320 Fire Hazards: Protecting Workers vs. Facilities, Insights from Research and Case Studies | Christopher Schemel, The University of Alabama SafeState | |
Session 321 Introduction to OSHA | Jose Gonzalez, OSHA Mobile Area Office | |
Session 322 ADEM Hazardous Waste Roundtable and 8700-12 Update | Lanny Sasser, ADEM Corey Holmes, ADEM Bailee Dykes, ADEM Lynn Roper, ADEM | |
Session 323 Readiness for Electrical Audit, Accident, or Fatality | David R. Carpenter. PhD, Integrity Institute of Technology | |
Session 324 Ensuring Safety for Temporary Workers: A Crucial Business Practice to Protect Your Workforce and Minimize Risk | Priscilla Morgan, Aerotek Staffing and Services Mary Beth Clark, Aerotek Staffing and Services | |
7:30 – 10:00 pm | EVENING NETWORKING EVENT (Casino Night) |
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
---|---|---|
7:00 – 7:45 am | Breakfast | |
8:00 – 9:15 am | Breakout Sessions Group IV | |
Session 425 Safety Intervention and Assertiveness | Tim Crowley, Alabama Technology Network | |
Session 426 The Blocking and Tackling of LOTO Understanding Minor Servicing and Alternative Methods | Keith Harned, FDRsafety | |
Session 427 Fall Protection by the Numbers | Dennis Keplinger, Professional Safety Training LLC | |
Session 428 The Psychology of Risk Homeostasis: Why Smart Technology Makes Us Take More Risks | Mark Pergrem, SAFEmap International | |
Session 429 Accident/Incident Investigation 101 | Danny Warrell, KPA Mike Tanguay, KPA | |
Session 430 Navigating EHS Challenges in a Changing Climate and ADEM Air Update | Kalyn Tew, The University of Alabama SafeState Wes Thornhill, ADEM | |
Session 431 Preventing Workplace MSDs: The Top 10 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | Justin Shepherd, ErgoScience | |
Session 432 Developing Emergency Action Plans (EAPs are more than Fire Drills) | Tunzyaan A. Griffin, HGS Engineering Inc | |
9:30 – 10:45 am | Breakout Sessions Group V | |
Session 533 Resurrecting the Bradley Curve: A Journey to Cultural Interdependence | Scott Gaddis, Intelex Technologies | |
Session 534 Ergonomics: Detecting, Addressing, and Preventing Poor Behaviors and Work Habits | Josh Steed, TherapySouth At Work Ben Angle, TherapySouth At Work | |
Session 535 Work Zone Safety (Part 1) | Melissa Bonds-Wilkins, Southern Safety Training and Consulting Mitzi Skinner, AGC Arkansas | |
Session 536 Safety and Power Lines, Compliance with Alabama’s Electrical Hazard Clearance Regulations | Troy B. Little, Brooks, Jackson, Little & May, Inc. | |
Session 537 OSHA Record Keeping | Francisco Garcia, OSHA Mobile Area Office | |
Session 538 ADEM Communications and Website Update | M. Lynn Battle, ADEM | |
Session 539 Electrical Safety Made Shockingly Simple | Patrick Liebe, Integrated Safety Solutions | |
Session 540 The Costs of Workplace Injuries | Ronnie Daniels, Alabama Technology Network | |
11:00 am – 12:15 pm | Breakout Sessions Group VI | |
Session 641 Next-Gen Human Performance Part #1, A New View of Human Factors in Process Safety | David Wilbur, Vetergy Group Lance Muniz, Vetergy Group | |
Session 642 How to Build a Hand Safety Program: Reduce Hand Injuries & Improve Worker Safety | Kate Crespo, Superior Glove | |
Session 643 Work Zone Safety (Part 2) | Melissa Bonds-Wilkins, Southern Safety Training and Consulting Mitzi Skinner, AGC Arkansas | |
Session 644 Harnessing Technology for Safer Workplaces: Opportunities, Risks, and Solutions | Scott Gaddis, Intelex Technologies | |
Session 645 When OSHA Knocks: Best Practices to Navigate an OSHA Inspection | Todd Logsdon, Fisher Phillips | |
Session 646 Is Your Chemical Inventory up to Date and Accurate? How Non-Compliance with HazCom Causes EHS Chaos & Recent Updates to the HazCom Standard | Michael Rasbury, The University of Alabama SafeState | |
Session 647 Why Electricians Are Still Being Injured by Arc Flashes: The Four Horsemen of Arc Flash Injuries | Derek Sang, Bulwark Protection | |
Session 648 Combustible Dust Risk Management: Tracking the New Consolidated NFPA 660 Guidance | Stephen Kang, Trinity Consultant, Inc. | |
12:15 – 1:15 pm | Conference Luncheon | |
1:45 – 3:00 pm | Breakout Sessions Group VII | |
Session 749 Next-Gen Human Performance Part #2, Human Factors Analysis as a Tool for Enhancing Human Performance and Reducing Risk | David Wilbur, Vetergy GroupLance Muniz, Vetergy Group | |
Session 750 29.CFR.1910.Blah, Blah, Blah: What Comes Next Makes All The Difference | Danny Smith, SafeStart | |
Session 751 Through the Current: A Journey from Utility Lineman to Safety Professional | Bill Toms, MB Haynes Corporation | |
Session 752 The Costs of Safety, Using Economic Analysis to make a Business Argument for Safety Upgrades | Christopher Schemel, The University of Alabama SafeState Matt Hollub, The University of Alabama SafeState | |
Session 753 Heat Safety | Scott Herndon, Cornerstone Safety | |
Session 754 ADEM Emergency Response Update and ADEM UST/AST Overview | Chris Harris, ADEM Grady Springer, ADEM Latoya Hall, ADEM | |
Session 755 Workplace Violence Prevention & Preparedness Strategies | Carol Dodgen, Dodgen Security Consulting | |
Session 756 New Innovations to Combat Upper Extremity Disorders in the Office and Workplace | Richard Wyatt, Aon | |
3:15 – 4:30 pm | Breakout Sessions Group VIII | |
Session 857 Building an Effective Safety Team | Tunzyaan A. Griffin, HGS Engineering | |
Session 859 Apps for Mental Health | Rob McKinney, SALUS | |
Session 861 In a Pinch- Guarding the Process | Paula Byrd, Byrd Safety and Maintenace Professionals, LLC | |
Session 862 Field Operations for Environmental Excellence: Navigating Alabama’s NPDES and SID Program | Ricky McWhorter, Enersolv Corp/SET | |
Session 863 New Technologies in PPE and Mitigating TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries) | Justin Brown, Sales Solutions | |
Session 864 In the Weeds: Managing Workplace Risks of Legalized Marijuana | Todd Logsdon, Fisher Phillips | |
4:30 – 6:30 pm | Vendor Networking Event and Door Prizes! |
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
---|---|---|
7:00 – 8:00 am | Conference Breakfast Buffet | |
8:30 am | Introduction of Keynote Speaker | TBA |
8:45 – 9:45 am | The Day We Will Remember | Ricky Rollins, Ricky Rollins Safety Speeches |
9:45 – 10:00 am | Closing Notes / Conference Concludes |
Conference Location and Lodging
The Conference will be held at the beautiful Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama.
Once you register for the conference, you will receive a confirmation email by the end of the day that contains the booking code and other details needed to reserve your hotel room. You should receive this email within 30 minutes of completing your registration. To see more details about the space, please visit Perdido Beach Resort.
Overflow rooms are available at Island House Hotel–A Doubletree by Hilton. Book online or via phone, call 251-981-6100 and use code: CDT916.
Hotel | Perdido Beach Resort |
Cost | $179/night plus tax |
Check In | Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. and check-out time is 11:00 a.m. Guest check-in cannot be guaranteed prior to 4:00 p.m |
Overflow Rooms | Island House Hotel–A Doubletree by Hilton |
Workshop Registration
Conference Registration will open on March 24, 2026.
The registration fee for the Conference is $595 until June 30, 2025. Beginning July 1, 2025, the registration fee increases to $645. Your registration fee includes a Sunday night welcome reception, breakfast on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as well as lunch on Monday and Tuesday. Lodging is the responsibility of the attendee.
Special Accommodations Requests
Note: The University of Alabama is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation of physical and/or dietary needs should be made at least 30 calendar days in advance of the program date. Please email your request to professionaldevelopment@ua.edu. A portion of the invoice amount for this program will go to the Capstone Lifelong Learning Foundation to support activities of The University of Alabama and the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
Need our STAARS Vendor Number? Please use VC000118827 for UA Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation charge of 100% of the registration fee will be assessed on cancellations occurring within seven (7) days of the start of this session. Any changes to the session registration type (example: in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) within seven (7) calendar days of the program will be assessed a $25.00 administrative fee. Refunds will not be granted after the program has begun. The University of Alabama reserves the right to cancel, postpone or combine class sections, to limit registration or to change instructors. Contact the Registration Services department at 205-348-3000 or registration_services@ua.edu to cancel your registration. View the OTIDE Cancellation Policy.
Call for Proposals
Presenting at the Alabama Governor’s Safety and Health Conference provides an opportunity to build your professional network and experience lifelong learning with lifelong friends. Presenting a content-rich session individually or as part of a team is a wonderful way to share knowledge, experiences, and ideas. The conference’s community-generated program will showcase future directions, best practices, stories of successful collaborations, lessons learned, and solutions to community-wide issues within various program tracks.
Proposal and Policy Guidelines
We invite those interested in presenting at the 2026 Alabama Governor’s Safety and Health Conference to submit a proposal for review by our Conference Planning Committee. Speaker proposals are evaluated objectively with emphasis on the following criteria (listed in order of significance):
- Degree to which the proposed session meets the conference/program objectives
- Desirability of the topic
- Speaker’s presentation skills and experience
Proposals must contain and convey sufficient detail to allow our Conference Planning Committee to understand how the proposed session will support the conference objectives. Selection is competitive, so you must submit a compelling and complete proposal.
Submission Details
Submission Deadline is January 31, 2026
We will consider no more than two proposals from each speaker. Please complete a separate application for each proposal. We will not consider incomplete submissions.
Length of Presentation
Presentations are in person, 75 minutes, including 15 minutes for questions.
Presenter Contact Information
Provide contact information for each presenter/co-presenter. Please be as accurate as possible, as this will be posted on the conference website and app.
Presentation Description and Learning Outcomes
Provide a brief description of the presentation. Maximum length is 60 words.
Use these tips to help create an effective description of your session:
- Highlight how the presentation will help an attendee solve a problem, overcome a challenge or launch a new initiative, and how what they will learn will directly impact their work/life.
- Create action-oriented learning objectives.
- Set accurate expectations. Clearly describe what the session will cover and highlight the learning activities an attendee can expect.
- Use active tense. For example, change “Strategies to improve safety management will be examined” to “Learn strategies to improve safety management.”
- Avoid repeating the title in the description and phrases like “In this presentation” or “The presenters will.”
Additionally, please specify up to three expected learning outcomes for attendees using measurable action verbs. These outcomes should be tailored to the audience members. Maximum length is 100 words.
Topic Track
Please select the track where your presentation best fits:
- Construction Safety
- Environmental
- Research and Data Driven Innovation & Best Practices
- Manufacturing
- New to Safety (Emerging Professionals)
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Risk Management
- Safety Leadership and Organizational Development
- Transportation
- Workers’ Compensation
Biographical Information
Offer a brief description of your qualifications that relate to the presentation topic. Maximum length is 600 words. At a minimum, please include:
- Name
- Education
- Current position
- Certifications and designations
This will be posted in the conference app, exactly as provided.
Proposal Acceptance
The conference planning committee has the sole authority and responsibility for selecting the topics and content of all educational programming it delivers.
We will email notification of acceptance by March 7, 2026.
Honoraria
Our speakers receive a full complimentary conference registration. Travel, lodging and meal expenses are your responsibility.

Welcome Exhibitors and Sponsors!
Exhibit Registration will Open on March 24, 2026
This year, the Alabama Governor’s Safety and Health Conference celebrates its 38th year and is the premier safety and health conference in the Southeast. The conference is designed for workers’ compensation and human resources supervisors, along with occupational health and environmental professionals. Attendees will receive top-quality training from experts across the industry through engaging keynote speakers and informational sessions.
Exhibitor Opportunities
Sponsor Opportunities
Exhibit booths are $1,000 for an 8×10 or $895 for an 8×8 and additional booth personnel are $250 each (up to three).
We do have sponsorship packages available that include booth space, please see the Sponsorship Opportunities section for contact information if you are interested in becoming a sponsor.
Learn more about the 2025 Alabama Governor’s Safety and Health Conference Sponsorship opportunities.
If you have sponsorship inquiries for this year, please reach out at professionaldevelopment@ua.edu
We look forward to serving your needs and seeing you at the 2025 Alabama Governor’s Safety and Health Conference!
Questions about the conference?
Contact Amanda Bergeron for more information. If you have specific registration questions, please call 205-348-3000.
