Each year, the Southern Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Conference looks forward to recognizing outstanding organizations and individuals through our annual awards program. These awards have a long-standing tradition of honoring excellence in workplace safety, and we are excited for another opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of safety leaders throughout our region.

The award application period closed on August 31, and we were pleased to receive a strong group of nominations for consideration.

On September 4, our eight-member Award Selection Committee met at SAIF in Medford to review the submissions and select this year's recipients. It was no easy task, given the quality of the applications and the commitment demonstrated by so many deserving candidates.

We are proud to announce that 17 safety committees, businesses, and individuals will be recognized at the 2026 Conference Awards Ceremony on October 15. Their dedication to workplace safety and health exemplifies the values our conference seeks to promote, and we look forward to honoring their achievements.
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Please join me in thanking our Award Selection Committee for their time and thoughtful consideration throughout the selection process. We also invite you to join us in October as we celebrate this year's award recipients.
 

Register today at www.SOSAFETY.org and take advantage of early-bird pricing before October 1.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!


Michael Hill
Operations Coordinator
ASSP Southern Oregon Chapter

We have officially settled into our new meeting place, and we would love to have you join us at an upcoming meeting!
 
Southern Oregon ASSP is now meeting at the Phoenix Plaza Civic Center, 220 N. Main St. in Phoenix. After a couple of meetings in the new space, it has already proven to be a great fit for our chapter.
 
The Civic Center gives us a nice space for our meetings, plenty of room to mingle, and plenty of parking. It is easy to get to and gives us a great space to continue growing our meetings and attendance.
 
It also doesn’t hurt that The Phoodery is right next door with some delicious food options!
 
We encourage everyone to grab some food at The Phoodery and bring it over to the Civic Center. With a variety of food options all in one spot, there is something for just about everyone. Grab what sounds good and bring it over to eat and mingle before the meeting gets started.
 
One of the best parts of our ASSP meetings is getting a chance to talk with other safety professionals in the area. We all work in different industries and deal with different challenges. Sometimes just talking shop and hearing how someone else handles something can be just as valuable as the meeting itself.
 
Our new space gives us a great opportunity to do more of that. So come hungry, come a little early, and spend some time getting to know the other safety professionals in the room. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting!


Adam Wasniewski
Communications Coordinator
ASSP Southern Oregon Chapter
​

​National CleanUp Day is held annually in the United States on the third Saturday of September. This year’s events will take place on September 19 and celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. The day promotes nationwide cleanup events and volunteering to keep the outdoors clean.
 
The inaugural National CleanUp Day was held in 2017 and had more than 225,000 volunteers. The following year saw over 1,500,000 volunteers, who collected 14 million pounds of waste. The idea for the day originated with Steve Jewett and his hiking partner, Bill Willoughby, who were both bothered by the litter found on their favorite trails. They began picking up trash during their hikes and brainstorming how to motivate others to have fun while cleaning trails. Eventually their idea led to the creation of the nonprofit organization Clean Trails, which combats litter and promotes environmental stewardship.
 
The organization asks the question, “What if everyone picked up just one piece of litter?” The answer is cleaner cities, trails, mountains, beaches, lakes, neighborhoods, and rivers. The road map to achieving this goal, according to Clean Trails, is to:
            •           Recycle.
            •           Litter less and pick up litter when you see it.
            ​•           Join or create an organized cleanup event.
 
The best way to participate in National CleanUp Day is by organizing your own cleanup or finding a local event. Visit the National CleanUp Day website for more information and resources. The following steps have been provided for those looking to organize their own cleanups:
1.         Ensure it’s safe and permissible by local authorities.
2.         Select an appropriate time and route for your cleanup:
            a.      Choose a time that allows for plenty of daylight and comfortable temperatures.
            b.     Choose a public location, such as a park, river, or beach, that’s ideally accessible by public transportation or bicycle.
3.         Plan your cleanup:
            •           Determine the size of the crew needed to clean each area.
            •           Create a waiver using www.otterwaiver.com. This is an important step for liability and volunteer security.
            •           Determine transportation needs of crews.
            •           Ask for donations of trash bags, refreshments, & equipment.
            •           Use Facebook or Eventbrite to create an event, manage volunteer signup, and share event information.
4.         During the cleanup, remember safety comes first:
            •           Two people make a team.
            •           Wear gloves and closed-toe shoes, and watch your footing.
            •           Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water.
            •           If something is too heavy, get help.
5.         Protect the environment:
            ​•           Vegetation is sensitive.  
            •           Wildlife is best kept wild. Don’t disturb nature.
6.         Leave the following behind:
            •           Hazardous materials (Mark and notify the appropriate person.)
            •           Homeless encampments (Be nonconfrontational.)
            •           Dead animals
            •           Syringes, needles, or other medical waste
7.         After the cleanup, make sure to wash your hands as soon as possible and disinfect all the reusable equipment that was used during your cleanup.
 
Publicize the success of the event on social media by posting before and after pictures of the cleanup. You can tag #NationalCleanUpDay2026

Aaron Corvin

​Under Oregon OSHA requirements, employers must protect workers from the hazards of extreme heat and of wildfire smoke.
 
As the risk of heat illness increases this summer, and as the potential for big wildfire smoke events looms, Oregon OSHA urges employers to plan ahead, talk to their employees, and, if need be, refresh their knowledge of the requirements. Oregon OSHA offers free resources to help employers comply with requirements and to help workers understand their rights.
 
Heat illness prevention
 
Employers must implement protective measures, including adequate water, rest, shade, acclimatization (gradual adaptation to working in the heat), communication and training, and emergency plans. The rule applies to workplaces whenever an employee is working and the heat index (apparent temperature) equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. More provisions apply when the heat index exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
The requirements apply across industries, including where employers provide housing as a condition of employment. These free resources help you understand the key requirements:

• General workplaces – English/Spanish
• Employer-provided housing – English/Spanish
• Rest-break schedule options – English/Spanish
• Video training in English and Spanish that satisfies certain training elements of the heat rule.

 
Wildfire smoke
 
Training, communication, and exposure controls are among the keys to protecting workers against the harmful chemicals and tiny particles in wildfire smoke.
 
Oregon OSHA’s wildfire smoke rule applies to employers whose workers are or will be exposed to hazardous levels of wildfire smoke. The tiny particles in wildfire smoke of most concern – and addressed in the rule – is the particulate matter with a diameter in micrometers of 2.5 or less, commonly referred to as PM2.5.
 
The rule’s protective measures include assessment and monitoring of air quality where workers are exposed; provision and documentation of employee training; implementation of two-way communication; use of engineering and administrative controls, such as relocation of workers to enclosed buildings or to outdoor locations where air quality is better, and work schedule changes to reduce exposures; and use of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved filtering facepiece respirators.
 
These free resources help you understand the key requirements:

• Fact sheet covering the key requirements: English/Spanish
• Video training in English and Spanish that satisfies certain training elements of the wildfire smoke rule.

 
 
Oregon OSHA provides free and confidential consultations to employers to help them improve their programs and protect workers, including from heat illness and wildfire smoke. Oregon OSHA’s technical specialists help guide employers on how to apply rules to their workplaces.

​With more than 160 workshops and sessions, the Oregon Governor's Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference will be held March 1-4, 2027, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The event provides knowledge, training, and tools across industries to strengthen protection of workers from hazards and to drive down business costs.

The event is the largest workplace health and safety conference in the Pacific Northwest and one of the largest in the United States. It welcomes everyone from safety committee members and line supervisors to health and safety professionals, and labor and business leaders. It connects people, invites sponsorships, and creates space for exhibitors. The goal is to equip attendees with knowledge and skills so they can build strong workplace safety and health programs.
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Registration for the conference is expected to open in early 2027, but you can participate in, and support, the GOSH Conference now. Nominations are being accepted for the 2027 GOSH Awards. The awards will honor organizations and people who make exceptional contributions to workplace safety and health. Award nominations are due Oct. 12, 2026.

You can also learn about the event's keynote speaker, Hoan Do, an international presenter, author, and finalist on NBC's hit show "American Ninja Warrior." Do will deliver a high-energy, insight-filled presentation focused on turning obstacles into opportunities. Attendees will learn how to reframe setbacks, stack the odds in their favor, and continuously improve, both as individuals and as teams.

Learn more about Do by visiting the GOSH website's keynote speaker page.

Sponsorship opportunities to support the 2027 GOSH Conference are available, too. And the conference will feature the Columbia Forklift Challenge, which invites trained forklift drivers to compete in an obstacle course to highlight their skills – and the importance of forklift safety.

You can stay updated about the conference – including registration, exhibits, the forklift challenge, and other information – by visiting the event's website. You can also get connected to GOSH updates by signing up to receive emails.
The conference is a collaborative effort by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA), the Columbia-Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, and labor and businesses in Oregon and southwest Washington.

​Dear Southern Oregon Chapter Members,
 
As we begin another month together, I’d like to share an exciting update regarding our chapter meetings.
 
Following careful evaluation and thoughtful discussion, the Executive Committee voted to relocate our monthly chapter meetings to the Phoenix Civic Center in Phoenix, Oregon, pending final logistics and facility application approval. While there are still a few details to finalize, we are confident this will become our new meeting home and are excited about the opportunities if offers our chapter.
 
This decision was made with one goal in mind: providing the best possible experience for our members.
 
Over the past several months, we’ve listened to your feedback and considered the features that make attending our meetings more convenient, comfortable, and enjoyable. The Phoenix Civic Center offers several advantages that align with those priorities, including:

• Ample parking and improved accessibility
• A comfortable meeting space that better supports learning, networking, and chapter activities
• A convenient location directly next to The Phoodery, providing a variety of lunch options to accommodate different tastes and dietary preferences

Our chapter exists to serve its members, and as we continue to grow, it’s important that our meeting environment supports participation, professional development, and meaningful connections. We believe this new location will provide an enhanced experience while allowing us to continue delivering the high-quality programming you’ve come to expect.
 
I would like to thank the Executive Committee for the time, research, and thoughtful consideration that went into evaluating our options and making this decision in the best interest of the chapter. I also want to thank each of you for your continued support and feedback. Your input helps guide our chapter and ensures we continue moving in a direction that benefits our membership.
 
We look forward to welcoming you to the Phoenix Civic Center once the final logistics have been completed. Watch for additional updates and confirmation in the coming days. We are excited about this next chapter and hope you’ll join us as we continue building a strong, engaged safety community in Southern Oregon.
 
Stay safe,
 
Heather Ashwill
President
Southern Oregon Chapter
American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

​Supporting employees as they seek to become more physically active can decrease the risk of injuries while boosting morale.
Regular exercise can improve health and mood, and even reduce the risk of some cancers, while strengthening bones and muscles. Physically active workers are less prone to absenteeism, as well as to strains and sprains. They are also more alert and more likely to be engaged in the task at hand.
Supporting employees as they seek to become more physically active can decrease the risk of injuries while boosting morale. Here's what has worked well at other organizations:

• Provide safe and interesting places to walk or move
• Check parking lots and stairways for uneven surfaces, clutter, and poor lighting.
• Provide onsite bike/skateboard storage and shower facilities to promote active commuting.
• Furnish an on-site gym.
• Map safe local walking routes.

Evaluate workstations to ensure neutral postures

• Consider adding adjustable height workstations.

Make sure schedules are flexible and staffing is adequate

• Allow for quick walking breaks or a workout during the work day. Encourage walking meetings. Ensure employees are taking breaks and lunches.

Consider incentives for those who walk or bike to work

• Challenge employees to use the stairs. Subsidize gym memberships for employees and families if you don't have space for an on-site gym, or consider sponsoring athletic events and teams.

Issue pedometers

• Pedometers help employees know how much physical activity they're getting. Provide reflective clothing and gear so they can walk safely in the dark.

Share employee success stories

• Motivate others while reinforcing positive physical activity. Ask your workers for more ideas for increasing physical activity during the work day.

Signs that inactivity may be an issue at your workplace:

• Sitting during most of the work day
• Often eating lunch at desks and skipping breaks
• Working long shifts
• Workstations are not ergonomically adjusted

For more on this topic, visit saif.com/twh.

​ 
Dear Southern Oregon Chapter Members,
 
It is an honor and privilege to serve as the incoming President of the Southern Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and excited to work alongside our dedicated Executive Committee, Conference Planning Committee, and chapter members, as we continue to advance the safety profession throughout Southern Oregon.
 
First, I would like to thank our outgoing President, Jeff Mook, for his commitment, hard work, and contributions to the chapter. His leadership and continued dedication have strengthened our organization and provided a solid foundation for future growth and success.
 
As safety professionals, we play a vital role in protecting workers, improving workplace cultures, and helping organizations achieve operational excellence. The challenges facing our profession continue to evolve, creating opportunities for us to learn, adapt, and lead. Our chapter remains committed to providing valuable professional development, networking opportunities, and resources that help our members stay informed and connected.
 
During the coming year, our focus will be on strengthening member engagement, expanding educational opportunities, and fostering relationships with local businesses, educational institutions, and community partners. We also want to encourage the next generation of safety professionals by supporting students and emerging leaders who will shape the future of our profession.
I encourage each of you to become actively involved in the chapter. Whether by attending meetings, participating in our annual conference, serving on a committee, or sharing your expertise with fellow members, your involvement helps make our chapter stronger and more impactful.
 
Together, we can continue to promote workplace safety, support professional growth, and make a positive difference in Southern Oregon and beyond.
 
Thank you for your membership, your dedication to safety, and your continued support of the Southern Oregon Chapter ASSP. I look forward to connecting with you throughout the year and working together to strengthen safety across our region.
 
With appreciation,
 
Heather Ashwill
President
Southern Oregon Chapter ASSP
 
 

Jeff Mook, Chapter President 

​​The Southern Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals has officially approved the slate for the 2026–2027 chapter year. I would like to first thank those who volunteered on the Nominations and Elections committee.  I would also like to thank all the members who took the time to attend, participate in discussions, and cast their vote during this important process. Member participation is one of the things that keeps a professional organization strong, and your involvement helps ensure our chapter continues moving forward with leadership that reflects the voice, values, and goals of our membership.
 
The slate approval process is far more than a yearly formality. It is one of the ways members directly influence the future direction of the chapter and help shape the experience we provide to safety professionals throughout Southern Oregon. Strong chapters are not built by a small group of people working in isolation. They are built through participation, collaboration, volunteerism, and the willingness of members to engage in the process. Whether that participation comes through attending meetings, sharing ideas, volunteering at events, serving on committees, mentoring others, or stepping into leadership roles, every contribution strengthens our chapter and helps us continue fulfilling the mission of ASSP.
 
Volunteer leadership is especially important in organizations like ours. Every chapter officer, committee chair, and volunteer contribute their time outside of their regular professional and personal responsibilities because they believe in the value of the safety profession and the importance of building a strong local safety community. That commitment deserves recognition and appreciation.
 
I would like to congratulate all the members who will be serving in leadership roles during the 2026–2027 chapter year. Whether you are stepping into a brand-new position, returning to a role you have previously held, serving on the executive committee for the first time, or continuing years of dedicated service to the chapter, what you are doing matters. Leadership within ASSP is not measured by titles or positions. It is measured by the willingness to contribute, support others, and help create opportunities that benefit the profession as a whole. The work done behind the scenes — planning meetings, coordinating events, communicating with members, supporting professional development opportunities, and helping guide the chapter forward — has a real and lasting impact.
 
As I transition from the role of chapter president into the past president position for the 2026–2027 chapter year, I want to sincerely thank the membership for the opportunity to serve as president during 2025–2026. It has truly been an honor and a privilege. I did not take this responsibility lightly, and I have always tried to approach this role with gratitude, professionalism, and a genuine desire to serve the membership and support the mission of ASSP.
 
Serving as president has given me the opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals who care deeply about protecting people, improving workplaces, and advancing the safety profession. It has also reinforced something I have long believed — that strong professional communities are built through relationships, shared purpose, and people who are willing to invest in one another. I am incredibly proud of what this chapter continues to accomplish and thankful for the encouragement and support I have received throughout my time serving in this role.
 
The future of the Southern Oregon ASSP chapter is bright. I am excited for the incoming leadership team and confident they will continue building upon the strong foundation that already exists within this chapter. I look forward to continuing to support the chapter in my new role and watching the continued growth, development, and positive impact this organization will have on safety professionals and the communities we serve.

Stop-work authority has been an integral part of safety for decades now. And for good reason. Giving employees the power – and the expectation – to stop a job when something isn’t right is a cornerstone of a strong safety culture. It prevents injuries, protects equipment, and reinforces a simple truth: production never outranks safety. 

But there’s an uncomfortable reality in that framing. By the time we’re stopping work, we’re already in the job. 

What if safety didn’t start with stopping?
What if it started with deciding whether we’re truly ready to begin?

That’s the bedrock idea behind adopting a start-work authority process. 

Start-work authority treats the beginning of a task as a deliberate decision point, not an automatic reflex. Work doesn’t start just because it’s scheduled. It starts because the conditions are right, the risks are understood, and the people and equipment are ready. 

Let’s take the industry of aviation as an example. Before a plane ever leaves the ground, pilots don’t rely on memory or assumptions – they use checklists. Systems are verified. Conditions are reviewed. Readiness is confirmed. The question isn’t “Can we deal with a problem if it shows up?” It’s “Have we done what we need to do to make sure we’re actually ready to go?” 

Start-work authority brings that same discipline into everyday work. 

A strong start-work authority process usually covers four big areas: 

1.       Task readiness
Supervisors help make sure the team actually understands what’s about to happen. What’s the scope of the job? Is it routine, or has something changed – tools, location, timing, materials, or people? Clarifying the plan up front prevents quiet assumptions from turning into real hazards. 

2.       Hazard awareness
This is where supervisors set the tone for what “good” looks like. They don’t just ask, “Any hazards?” They help guide the conversation: Where’s the line of fire? What energy is involved? What’s different today? What could realistically go wrong? Their role isn’t to have all the answers – it’s to make sure the right questions get asked before work starts. 
 
3.       Control and equipment readiness
This is the “checklist” part of start-work authority. Supervisors verify that machines are in the correct starting condition, guards and safety devices are in place, lockout or permits are applied when required, and the work area is actually ready for the task. Just like a pilot wouldn’t skip a pre-flight check, we shouldn’t skip confirming that the system is truly safe to operate. 

4.       People readiness
Yes – this matters too, but it’s only one piece of the whole. Supervisors confirm that employees have the right PPE for the job (not just some PPE), that clothing and hair are appropriate for the task, and that the person doing the work is trained and confident for what they’re about to do. If the job changes, the readiness check changes with it. 
 
When supervisors are engaged in all four areas, start-work authority becomes more than a quick PPE check—it becomes a shared decision that the job is ready to begin. 

This is also where start-work authority pairs naturally with stop-work authority. Stop-work authority protects people when conditions change, or something is missed. Start-work authority reduces the chances that you step into a bad situation in the first place. One prevents bad continuations. The other prevents bad beginnings. Both depend on visible, consistent leadership. 

So how do you make this real? 

1.       Set the expectation that work doesn’t start by default.
Leadership needs to consistently reinforce that starting work is a decision, not a habit. A brief pause, huddle, or start-work check becomes the normal way work begins – not an exception when something feels wrong. 

2.       Give teams a simple, practical structure.
Think “pilot checklist,” or simple “pre-task.” A short list of prompts – task, hazards, controls, people – gives supervisors and crews a shared way to confirm readiness without having to try and remember everything. 
 
3.       Build it into everyday supervision.
Start-work authority should show up in how leadership plans work, checks conditions, and talks with their teams before the job begins. When leaders routinely verify readiness – and not just speed – it sends a clear message about what really matters. 

4.       Back it up and connect it to stop-work authority.
When a supervisor or employee says, “We’re not ready yet,” that pause has to be supported – every time. That means work does not start. We should never hear, “We’ll stop if something comes up”. Start-work authority and stop-work authority should reinforce each other, not compete with each other. 

Most serious incidents don’t start with one big dramatic failure. They start with rushed beginnings, missed checks, and unspoken assumptions. Start-work authority is how you break that pattern – by making the start of the job a conscious, supervised, and shared decision. 

Because the safest work doesn’t just stop when it gets dangerous. 
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It starts when leaders and crews agree it’s truly ready.

Jeffrey Mook
Boise Cascade Region Safety Coordinator
​Southern Oregon ASSP President