Western Occupational Safety and Health Group

For over 20 years, ORC’s Western Occupational Safety and Health Group has brought together senior-level managers responsible for health, safety, and/or environmental programs at companies based or operating in the western United States. The cross-industry group of companies offers members the opportunity to network and communicate with their professional peers, experts and government officials on critical issues, sharing information and practical expertise in order to learn and stay abreast of recent developments and best practices.  The group focuses on strategies, tools, and initiatives that improve EHS excellence in safety and health performance as well as regulatory and legislative issues in California and the western states.

Membership Benefits:

Membership in the Western Occupational Safety and Health Group brings website access and e-mail distribution of occupational safety and health issues, regulatory and legislative developments in California and other western states, announcements, and queries to member companies.  Throughout the year, members maintain contact and continue their exchange with each other on the members-only website, where an online bulletin board allows for immediate input and dialogue on “hot” issues.  Members also receive frequent e-mail updates and analyses, and interact with other members through conference calls, mini-surveys, and one-on-one discussions.

Quarterly Meetings:

At quarterly meetings located in western states, members share information on current and emerging EHS topics, with a focus on high-level discussion, networking, sharing best practices, informal benchmarking, and exchanging critical information.  These meetings give company representatives the opportunity to hear speakers from government, industry, and academia.  Recent meeting topics include:

• How California Responds to Disaster/Pandemics…And What Businesses Need to Know to Improve Their Preparedness
• Alternative Safety and Health Performance Metrics
• Developing EHS “Champions” in Senior Leadership
• The Value of EHS in a Nanotechnology Processing Operation
• Achieving a Competitive Edge Through Workplace Wellness
• Sustainability: Developing a Competitive Strategy

Professional Certification and Maintenance Points:

The quarterly meetings provide an opportunity four times yearly to obtain Continuing Education Credits for Certified Industrial Hygienists and Safety Professionals.



Collaborative Activities:

• Subject specific, issue-driven groups of ORC consultants, interested member companies, and occasionally outside specialists, are formed to address emerging issues with leading edge information about subjects such as sustainability, integrated health and wellness, and nanotechnology
• Facilitate public/private sector partnerships in areas such as disaster preparedness, and pandemic planning.
  
   

Consultation:

• Unlimited telephone consultation with ORC specialists on EHS issues, including state and federal requirements and perspectives;
• One day, onsite consultation per year (member company covers expenses only);
  
   

Benchmarking Opportunities:

• ORC provides opportunity for informal benchmarking on issues of interest with other ORC member companies;
  
   

Influencing Agencies/Regulators:

• Conveying business perspective to local, state and federal agencies in California and other western states on current and emerging OSH issues;
• Opportunity for members to participate in task forces to develop credible, responsible comments to those agencies, or to receive information.
  
   

The Western Occupational Safety and Health Group is led by Judith Freyman, Vice President, in ORC Worldwide’s Sacramento area office, with assistance from Amanda Loew, Nicole Mack and Ham Fairburn.  For more information, please contact ORC at 916-626-6820 or via email:

Judi Freyman    judi.freyman@orcww.com

Amanda Loew    amanda.loew@orcww.com

Nicole Mack    nicole.mack@orcww.com

Ham Fairburn    ham.fairburn@orcww.com