Save The Date
Chicago Safety, Health
& Environmental Conference
SEPT 14-16, 2026
Chicagoland Safety Health
& Environmental Conference
The Chicagoland Safety Health and Environmental Conference is for EHS professionals, business owners,facility managers, plant managers, supervisors, safety committee members, human resources managers, municipalities and others who have safety, health, training, environmental management and OSHA/EPA compliance responsibilities.
The goal of the conference is to provide timely and relevant environmental management, safety, health, professional development and OSHA/EPA compliance training. Since 2016 the conference has drawn 6,600 session attendees and offered 338 sessions that drew more than 2,700 people from 4 foreign countries, 34 states and 155 Illinois communities working in 467 companies working in 32 industries.
Attendees will enjoy:
Dynamic conference workshops and professional training sessions
Basic, Intermediate and Advanced level training sessions
Lunch, coffee, snacks, and free parking provided for registrants
Speakers include OSHA specialists, business owners, lawyers, professors, consultants, and expert trainers.
The Wednesday Business EXPO showcases top US businesses and is free for conference attendees.
2026 Keynote Speaker
Aaron Gelb
Aaron R. Gelb is Co-Managing Partner at Conn Maciel Carey LLP and leader of the firm’s Midwest OSHA Defense Team, where he represents employers in OSHA and state OSH program inspections, investigations, and enforcement actions, while managing the full range of litigation against OSHA. Aaron takes a proactive approach to representing his clients, regularly working with them to develop, update, and/or fine-tune safety and health programs, implement internal auditing efforts, and managing privileged audits, in-person and remotely. He also works with a wide range of national and local associations across diverse industries and geographies, including the Illinois Manufacturers Association, to educate their members on workplace safety and health trends and best practices. Aaron has been recognized as one of the leading OSHA lawyers in the US by Chambers, since they began ranking workplace safety attorneys five years ago, and his firm is one of only two firms ranked in Band 1.
SAFETY
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
2025 Highlight Video
Future Conference Schedule
Chicagoland Safety
Health & Env. Conference
Sept. 20-22, 2027
Chicagoland Safety
Health & Env. Conference
Sept. 18-20, 2028
Chicagoland Safety
Health & Env. Conference
Sept. 17-19, 2029
SEPTEMBER 14-16, 2026
2026 Conference Schedule
8:00am – 8:30am
Coffee and Networking
8:30am – 10:00am
Session:
M01
Why Do Bad Things Keep Happening
Aaron Gelb
10:15pm – 11:45am
Session:
M02
AI-Powered Safety: From Reactive to Predictive Safety
Heather Chapman
Session:
M03
Protecting the Human Inside the Hard Hat
Scott Evans
Session:
M04
Case Studies: The Best and Worst in Process Safety Culture Moments
Gayle Nicoll
Session:
M05
When You Dial 911: What Actually Happens
James McIntyre
Session:
M06
The Elephant in the Room: Mental Health at Work
Martin Franchi
Session:
M07
Applying IH Basics to Heat Stress
Julie Hanebuth
11:50am – 1:00pm
Lunch Break - Room 161
1:15pm – 2:45pm
Session:
M08
Cutting Through the Hype: Practical Agentic AI for your SMS
Robert Stevens
Session:
M09
SHIELD-R Response Model, A New Look at Workplace Violence Prevention
Brandon Grodsky
Session:
M10
Handling Work Place Chemicals TSCA
Richard M Petitte, MS, CSP
Session:
M11
“Trust
Darrell Smith
Session:
M12
Competent Person: Roles, Respons., & Training for Workplace Safety
Timothy Janis
Session:
M13
Navigating the Surge in Environmental Product Compliance Regulations
Travis Miller
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Session:
M14
Preparing for Environmental Compliance in 2027
Justin Finger
Session:
M15
The Illinois Reality: The #1 SIF and the 47% Problem
John A Newquist
Session:
M16
Insurance Risk Management for the Safety Professional
Brandon Jeralds
Session:
M17
Practical Sustainability
Eric Emmett
8:00am – 8:30am
Coffee and Networking
8:30am – 10:00am
Session:
T01
Safety & Work Comp – Every Time Two Fools Collide
Don Phillips
Session:
T02
Creating Line-Level Ownership Through Leadership Development
Jonathan Neubauer
Session:
T03
Come Play: Psychological Health & Safety Jeopardy
Martin Franchi
Session:
T04
RCRA Recycling Reliefs: Simplify Compliance, Cut Costs
Joel R. Gregier
Session:
T05
The Big Secret: You Already Have the EHS Software You Need
Joseph Kunes
Session:
T07
29 CFR 1926.65(e)(8), Construction 40 Hour H&S Refresher and First Responder Operations
Dennis Terpin
10:15am – 11:45am
Session:
T08
7 Laws for Building an Effective Near Miss Program
Jean Ndana
Session:
T09
Hand and portable power tool safety
Jeffrey Moran
Session:
T10
Mentoring New Environmental Professionals
Eric Emmett
Session:
T11
PSM & RMP: Comparing and Contrasting Both Rules
Robert Evangelisti, P.E., CEA, CHMM, CSP
Session:
T12
Asthmagen Prevalence in 2024 Chemical Exposure Health Data
Donna J. H. Vosburgh
Session:
T13
QPR Suicide Prevention Training – Equipping Leaders to Save Lives
Megan Hammes
11:50am – 1:00pm
Lunch Break - Room 161
1:15pm – 2:45pm
Session:
T14
Defining Impactful Leading Indicators using the SMMART™ Method
Jean Ndana
Session:
T15
Work zone safety for roadway operations
Jeffrey Moran
Session:
T16
Peering into the Regulatory Crystal Ball
Jess Black
Session:
T17
Silica: From Risks to Controls
Theodore J. Hogan
Session:
T18
Safety Whistleblower Retaliation Laws - They Will Not Protect You!
Ricky Ward
Session:
T19
Using AI to Predict Safety Risks
Linda Michelle Shawarira
Session:
T7
29 CFR 1926.65(e)(8), Construction 40 Hour H&S Refresher and First Responder Operations
Dennis Terpin
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Session:
T20
What to Expect During an OSHA Inspection
Harry Hileman
Session:
T21
How operational issues impact fines, lawsuits, and reputation
Andrew Bajorat
Session:
T22
When Values Collide: Handling Ethical Tension at Work
Maribeth Anderson MPA, CSP
Session:
T23
Stop the Slip: Prevent Falls Before Costly Claims
Ron Schakowsky
Session:
T24
SIF Prevention: Moving Beyond Compliance
Mark Maynard
Session:
T25
The Role of Entry Supervisors - Confined Space Entry
Michael Veseling
Session:
T7
29 CFR 1926.65(e)(8), Construction 40 Hour H&S Refresher and First Responder Operations
Dennis Terpin
8:00am – 8:30am
Coffee and Networking
8:30am – 10:00am
Session:
W01
Compliance with OSHA's Silica Regulations in Construction and General Industry
Bogdan Catalin
Session:
W02
Hello Air Permit, allow me to introduce Safety
Katie Hoyt
Session:
W03
Excavation Safety: A Quick Review
Robert Evangelisti, P.E., CEA, CHMM, CSP
Session:
W04
Lockout/Tagout: Utilizing Technology for Controlling Hazardous Energy
Scott Stone
Session:
W05
Right Tools, Right Fit: Turning Ergonomic Insights Into Impact
Dr. Carrie Bath-Scheel, EdD, OT/L, CPE
Session:
W06
Understanding the Personal Side of Safety
Brittany Sussman
10:15am – 11:45am
Session:
W07
Emil Szotko
Session:
W08
Mock Deposition
Don Phillips
Session:
W09
Process Safety Concepts for Laboratory Operations
Dennis Terpin
Session:
W10
Thriving Together: Total Worker Health as a Living Ecosystem
Sara Gibson
Session:
W11
The Mental Health–Injury Connection: Building A Safer, Healthier Workforce
Dr. Dave Wehby
Session:
W12
Machine Guarding and LOTO Compliance in Real Life
Brandon Jeralds
11:50am – 1:00pm
Lunch Break in Exhibit Hall
1:15pm – 2:45pm
Session:
W13
Don’t Skip a Step – Fall Hazards and Fixed Ladders Safety Compliance
Peter Pekala
Session:
W14
Annual RCRA Refresher
Martin Hamper
Session:
W15
Case Law Update 2026-What's New in Work Comp
Tim O’Gorman
Session:
W16
Protect Your Hearing. Reduce the Noise.
Brian Felsen
Session:
W17
AI Tools Every Safety Professional Should Know
Shawn O’Brien
Session:
W18
Framework for Creating a Best-in-Class Safety Culture
April Greene, CSP, CHMM
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Session:
W19
What If Artificial Intelligence (AI) Could Run Your Worst Monday?
Tim Allen
Session:
W20
NFPA 660 - Introduction to Combustible Dust
Ashok Ghose Dastidar
Session:
W21
Clearing the Air: Understanding Silica Exposures
Kiana Porter
Session:
W22
Maintenance Technician's View of PSM
Charles Wilkinson
Session:
W23
Collecting & Interpreting IH Data for the Safety Professional
Tyler Gilmore, CIH, CSP
Session:
W24
Employee Emergency Medical First Responder Teams for Industry
Tim E. Kerstetter
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