Tuesday, April 18, 2023

10:15 am (Handout)
Anhydrous Ammonia – Friend or Foe (Intermediate)  Rich Mahaney, Mahaney Loss Control Services.

This overview presentation looks at anhydrous ammonia and its hazards, uses in America, worker and workplace hazards and safety rules.  Discussion of emergency response tactics for workers and emergency responders during anhydrous ammonia releases outside buildings and inside buildings is part of the program.  Also, why is anhydrous ammonia considered “non-flammable” gas in the United States, but not in other countries where it is considered  a “poison” gas.  Is it non-flammable or flammable?  Is there hazardous history with anhydrous ammonia for workers and emergency responders?

12:30 pm (Handout)
MDARD Spill Program (Basic)  Jack Knorek, Regional Coordinator, Southwest Michigan, Conservation Programs, Environmental Stewardship Division, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The MDARD Spill Response Program is a voluntary program whereby responsible parties contact the Department requesting technical assistance regarding the collection and disposal of spilled pesticides, fertilizer and manure.  This non-regulatory program provides for rapid response and cleanup activities which protects Michigan’s natural resources.

1:45 pm (Handout)
Growing Safety in Michigan:  Cannabis (Basic, Intermediate)  Sandra Sheils, The Safety Equation, LLC.

Capturing the hazards of your new business can be hazy.   The Cannabis Industry is creating the largest influx of new workers to the workforce and with licenses at risk, do employers know what they don’t know or worse yet, do they know what their employees don’t know?  If you are providing legal business support to operations and do not have an EHS expert reviewing your SOP’s for safety requirements or are not including EHS on your compliance packages, you’re leaving your clients exposed.  Heavy attention is paid to compliance packaging and product control, but little is given to Occupational Health and Safety.  This topic is well suited to anyone with occupational interest in the Cannabis Industry from Shareholder’s to employees.  Let’s set the expectation for excellence!

3:15 pm (Handout)
Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program (Basic)  Steven Traub, Loss Control Manager, Farm Bureau Insurance; and Tess Van Gorder, Conservation and Regulatory Relations Specialist, Michigan Farm Bureau.

The Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program is a newly launched, voluntary program supported by Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies to help anyone who hauls and/or applies manure to stay out of a crappy situation.  Attend this session to learn more about how the program assists participants with reducing their risk when hauling and applying manure, which can help lead to better safety and environmental outcomes.

  • Chairperson:  Beverlie Cote, Hylant
  • Division:  Craig Anderson, Michigan Farm Bureau
  • Mary Carper, CSP, Zeeland Farm Services, Inc.
  • Beverlie Cote, Hylant
  • Stan Moore, MSU Extension Farm Management Educator
  • Steven Traub, CIC, CRM, AgAdvisor, Farm Bureau Insurance