2011 State of New York/PEF Statewide Health & Safety Conference
Friday, December 10, 2010 at 11:47AM 
March 24th-26th 2011
Desmond Hotel
The Public Employees Federation Health & Safety Program would like to invite you to this year’s Health & Safety Conference to be held on March 24th-26th, 2011 at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY. Registrations for the conference must be submitted by February 4, 2011.
Registrations received by January 14, 2011 will be entered into a drawing for a free Kindletm!
Conference Brochure Available for Download
Conference Release Time Letter
The theme of this year’s conference is “Health & Safety: NOW More Than Ever”. PEF is committed to safe jobs and safe workplaces. The conference is an excellent opportunity to network with fellow labor and management health & safety personnel to discuss key issues. Past conferences have featured national and state experts, and prepared participants to accomplish important improvements such as instituting health & safety programs on bloodborne pathogens, ergonomics, workplace violence prevention, safe patient handling and confined space entry.
The guest speakers are: Colleen Gardner, NYS Commissioner of Labor & keynote speaker Cecil Roberts, President of the United Mine Workers of America.
Please promote the conference at your next health & safety and/or labor management meeting and encourage representatives from management to attend. Other bargaining units may attend at their own expense.
For more information on the conference please contact Kristina Willbrant, Health & Safety Assistant/Conference Coordinator at: 518-785-1900, ext. 336, or 800-342-4306, ext. 336, or via e-mail:
Registration Fee:
A registration fee of $35.00 has been implemented to offset the expense of the conference. The fee applies to all registrants, including those funded by PEF. Please make checks payable to: NYS Public Employees Federation.
Eligibility for Funding by PEF:
The following individuals are eligible for funding by PEF: Labor and Management representatives of the Statewide Health & Safety Committee, Agency and Local Health & Safety Chairs, Infection Control Nurses, Agency Safety Managers, PEF Executive Board Members, PEF Statewide Officers, PEF Regional Coordinators, PEF Field Staff, and members of the Statewide Nurses Committee.
Alternative Funding:
All other participants must be funded by their PEF Division, through a scholarship, their agency, or at their own expense. Individuals not funded by PEF should complete the alternate funding information on the registration form, and attach a check for meals, housing, and the registration fee made out to: NYS Public Employees Federation. We encourage PEF Divisions to offer scholarships so that they may send additional representatives to the conference. Scholarships should include the cost of transportation, meals, housing, and the registration fee. All attendees must complete the attached registration form.
Room Reservations:
All hotel reservations will be made by PEF. A finite number of rooms have been reserved at a special rate for our group at the hotel. Space is limited and reservations will be taken on a “first come, first serve” basis. Due to cost and the limited number of rooms available, local attendees who live within 60 miles of the conference are not eligible for housing.
Travel and Other Expenses:
PEF policies for travel and other expenses apply.
Attendees are strongly encouraged to car pool. Please visit PEF website for more information. There will be no air travel for this conference without advanced approval by Kathy D’Arminio, (518) 257-6983.
Expense vouchers will be available for participants at the conference.
Release Time:
The Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) has approved a request for release time for conference attendees, subject to agency operational needs. A letter outlining the agreement has been included for your information. If you need assistance in obtaining “Administrative Leave” from your agency or have any questions, please contact your local PEF Division Leader or Field Representative first. Additional assistance may be obtained by contacting Kathy D’Arminio, PEF Chair/ Statewide Health & Safety Committee at (518) 257-6983 or via e-mail:
Tentative Conference Agenda:
Thursday, March 24, 2011
4:00-6:00pm Meetings: Agency H&S Committees, Infection Control Nurses, etc
4:00-6:30pm Registration
6:30-9:00pm Dinner Program:
Greetings: PEF President Ken Brynien Invited speakers: Colleen Gardner, NYS DOL Commissioner; Cecil Roberts, President, United Mine Workers.Friday, March 25, 2011
7:30-8:30am Breakfast & Registration
8:30-10:00am Panel Discussion: Safety & Health During Hard Times
10:00-10:50am Break
10:15am-12:15pm Workshops:
Safe Patient Handling
Dealing with Criminal Justice Authorities
Health & Safety Committees for New Chairs & Activists
PESH Rights/Responsibilities
WPV Prevention-Implementing an Effective Program
Worker’s Rights
Short Staffing
Workers’ Compensation 101
12:15pm-1:15pm Lunch
1:15pm-3:15pm Workshops:
Survey Says (Using Surveys for H&S)
Health & Safety Committees: Advanced Problem Solving
Occupational Stress
Indoor Air Quality 101 and Case Studies
Advanced WC Forum for Practitioners
Bed Bugs, Influenza and Other “Nasties”
Emergency Preparedness
Trauma Response Programs
Slips, Trips and Falls
3:15-3:30pm Break
3:45-4:45pm Wellness Hour Workshops:
Drumming for Unity
Nutrition 101
Gentle Yoga for Stress Relief
5:30-6:30pm Cocktail Hour
6:30-8:30pm Dinner and Awards CeremonySaturday, March 26, 2011
7:30-8:30am Breakfast
9:00-10:00am Plenary: Movers and Shakers: Building Effective H&S Programs
Directions to the Desmond:
Arriving from the South or West
Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 24. After the toll booths, take the Adirondack Northway (I-87) North to Exit 4 Albany Airport exit. At the end of the ramp, go left onto Wolf Road. At the next traffic light, go left onto Albany-Shaker Road. You will pass under the highway; do not get back on I-87 south, rather, proceed straight through the intersection, and prepare to make a left-hand turn. The Desmond is the first building on your left, set back from the road, and resembles a colonial village.
Arriving from the East
Take the Mass Turnpike West to Exit B1, “I-90 Albany West”. Remain on I-90 West for 15-20 miles, viewing downtown Albany to your left about mid-way. Stay on I-90 until you see signs for “Montreal North”. Go North on the Adirondack Northway “Montreal” I-87 to Exit 4 Albany Airport”. At bottom of the ramp go left onto Wolf Road. At the next traffic light, go left onto Albany-Shaker Road. You will pass under the highway; do not get back on I-87 south, rather, proceed straight through the intersection, and prepare to make a left-hand turn. The Desmond is the first building on your left, set back from the road, and resembles a colonial village.
Arriving from the North
Take the Adirondack Northway (I-87) to Exit 4, “Albany Airport/Wolf Road”. On the ramp, bear to the right. At end of ramp, there is a traffic light. Go left onto Old Wolf Road. At the next traffic light go right onto Albany-Shaker Road and take an immediate left into our parking lot. The Desmond is set back from the road, and resembles a colonial village.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE CONFERENCE!
Proceed to On-line Registration
Please note: Online registration still requires verification and mailed payment/signatures. You should receive a confimation within 2 business days after registering on what you need to send in.