Kansas Safety Summit

The Kansas Safety Summit is an annual event that serves as a pivotal platform for professionals in the safety, excavation, and damage prevention sectors. It is designed to enhance knowledge, provide the latest industry updates, and facilitate networking among excavators, contractors, utility and facility owners, operators, locators, and safety specialists from across the state. The summit offers practical sessions aimed at expanding safety knowledge and fostering connections within the industry. Notably, the most recent summit included a bloodmobile onsite, allowing attendees to make a life-saving impact, alongside the collection of toys for the Secret Santa community outreach program, which has supported families for over 12 years across multiple counties.Highlighting the event were several esteemed speakers. Keynote speaker Trooper Ben Gardner, a retired member of the Kansas Highway Patrol, captivated audiences with his message on growth and resilience, urging attendees to lead with kindness and support one another. His session, titled How Far Can You Go & Grow, drew on his personal journey and professional experiences to inspire attendees to strive for more in their lives. Another notable speaker, Randy McRoberts, Ph.D., CSP, from OneGas, shared insights from his 39 years in the natural gas industry, focusing on safety leadership and engagement among lone workers, discussing the impact of supervisory support and leadership styles on safety practices. Additionally, Jay, a co-founder of Training Pulse, tackled the importance of effective safety training in his presentation, Why Completion Isn’t Enough: Building Safety Training That Sticks, emphasizing the need for retention over mere completion of training programs.Captain Mike Searcy of the Kansas City Kansas Fire Department (KCKFD) presented a compelling discourse on workplace complacency and how to assist first responders during emergencies. His insights are drawn from years of experience in rescue operations, shedding light on the risks and responsibilities inherent in emergency situations. Adam, the Safety Director at Doctor's Lawn and Landscape, shared a personal account of surviving a severe workplace accident, offering a poignant reminder of the importance of safety beyond regulations. Lastly, Mark, the Director of Training and Safety Manager for Sellenriek Holdings Company, provided a wealth of knowledge on risk management and safety practices drawn from his extensive background in the construction and utility sectors. The Kansas Safety Summit not only served as an educational and networking opportunity but also reinforced the crucial role of safety in various industries, promoting a culture of preparedness and awareness among all attendees.