For 35 years, the AFS Environmental Health and Safety Conference has combined current must-know content with up-and-coming information for foundry EHS personnel.
Hosted by the AFS EHS Division, the conference's knowledgeable speakers provide tremendous value for everyone with an interest in EHS. This year’s conference at the Palmer House in Chicago spans three days: Day One is devoted to environmental content and Day Three is all health and safety. Day Two is for everyone, with content covering all EHS topics of the highest interest; updates from Washington, D.C.; division awards; and an annual reception with exhibitors. Come for two days or all three … you'll leave with great information and great networking experiences.
For information about exhibiting at the event, please contact Kim Farrugia at kfarrugia@afsinc.org or click here.
For information about sponsorship opportunities at the event, please contact Kim Farrugia at kfarrugia@afsinc.org or click here.
Standard room rate of $269.00/night + tax. Attendees can also reserve directly with the hotel room reservation department by calling (312) 726-7500 and request the AFS room block. The hotel’s check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-in prior to the hotel’s published check-in times are subject to availability. Check-out time is 11 a.m. Room block closes 9/8/23.
Craig Schmeisser, AFS EHS Division Chair
Conference Chair: Ryan Burke, OSCO Industries, Portsmouth, OH
Daniel Goldfarb, Wildlife Habitat Council, Valparaiso, IN
Chris Price, DOE, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN
Dan Plant, Metal Technologies, Better Climate Program, Auburn, IN
Rollis Reisner, McWane Inc., Birmingham, AL
Bryant Esch, Waupaca Foundry Inc., Waupaca, WI
Brian Holland, Trinity Consultants, Dallas, TX
Bob Ribbing, Amsted Rail, Granite City, IL
Jeet Radia, McWane Inc., Birmingham, AL
Jenny Pappalardo, Charlotte Pipe, Charlotte, NC
Moderator: Mike Lenahan, Badger Mining Corp., Berlin, WI
Zach Pine, Roberts Sinto Corp., Grand Ledge, MI
Tom Cobett, LightSpeed Concepts Inc., Strongsville, OH
Panel presentation highlighting two different technological advancements for the foundry industry. Hear Learn about these novel technologies and the problems they are solving, and how they are benefiting both process and EHS performance. Taking a unique approach to problem solving land unique and novel technologies!
Todd Fein, Green Diamond Solutions, Chicago, IL
Wesley Fleming & Nicholas McCreary Keramida Inc., Indianapolis, IN
Paul Reusch, EPA, Chicago, IL
Moderator:
Ryan Burke, OSCO Industries, Portsmouth, OH
Panelists:
Environmental Speakers from metalcasting companies: Rod Reisner, Bryant Esch, Dan Plant, Bob Ribbing, Jenny Pappalardo
This session is for metalcasters only! Are you a regulator, supplier, customer, or a consultant? We appreciate you, but you are not welcome for this session! You know what they say, “there are no dumb questions, only questions you shouldn’t ask in front of certain people!!” This session is for foundry people to ask tough questions about anything Environmental on day 1 and anything Health and Safety on Day 2. Make sure you fully understand the changing rules and reg’s or share some foundry best practices – anything EHS. During this session you can feel at ease knowing what gets said here stays here!
Craig Schmeisser, AFS EHS Division Chair
Thomas Carey, Mercury Marine, Fon Du Lac, WI
Industry 4.0 concepts are generating much interest in manufacturing operations for predictive maintenance, assessment of process control, assistance in non-destructive evaluation of quality, and ultimately to make predictions about part quality. EHS departments are also concerned with process control, systems maintenance, and reporting both internally and to regulatory bodies. Thus, the same building blocks of data collection, organization and storage, visualization, analysis, and communication apply to EHS systems. In this presentation, four case studies are presented. Two are environmentally focused and impact Mercury Marine’s in-house smelting operation and die-casting operation. The other two case studies are safety focused: an in-house 5S mobile application and in-plant ambient environment monitoring.
Carsten Nielsen, Norican Group, Taastrup, Denmark
With the rise of sustainability objectives, new regulations, and a labor shortage, EHS departments are pressed to achieve objectives with minimal tools. New technologies are improving and monitoring EHS Metrics in foundries. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) can generate reports, notify departments when equipment needs to be addressed, and display information in user-friendly dashboards—all improve the effectiveness of an EHS department. Learn how foundries are using this technology towards sustainability, reducing energy consumption, tracking carbon emissions, monitoring baghouses, and more all from their IIoT. Work smarter and faster with the right tools.
Cris Proctor, Free Flow Technologies, Loves Park, IL
Brett Heinrich, Vedder Price, Chicago, IL
Anatomy of an Enforcement Action” will cover how the Federal Government (EPA and OSHA) as well as state governments determine and evaluate potential targets for enforcement. Our speakers will walk the audience through this process which is rarely discussed. Next, our speakers will inform the audience on how to best prepare for an inspection and how best to respond to a Violation Notice or Enforcement Action. Lastly, our speakers will take the audience through the settlement process with the Agencies as well as a discussion of the most effective strategies to best control the outcome.
Vaughn Baker, Co-Founder and President of Strategos International, Kansas City, MO
Gain new insight and guidance on prevention and response strategies your organization can use to prepare for workplace violence and active threat response. Learn the importance of using a non-linear response model rather than a traditional linear model and gain insight on how it can help you respond as these types of incidents increase in frequency and evolve in how they are perpetrated.
Air Quality - Jeet Radia, McWane Inc., Birmingham, AL
Water & Waste - Bryant Esch, Waupaca Foundry Inc., Waupaca, WI
Health & Safety - Brent Charlton, Metal Technologies of Indiana LLC, Auburn, IN
Check out exhibitors before next sessions
Jeff Hannapel, The Policy Group, Rockville, MD
Environmental issues continue to make headlines and pose challenges that can impact metalcasting facilities. Hear from the AFS Washington office how the latest developments on environmental issues could shape the political and regulatory landscape and impact your operations.
Stephanie Salmon, AFS Washington Office, Washington DC
As we wrap-up fiscal year 2023, it’s time to look back and take stock of what we learned from and about OSHA during this eventful year particularly related to current enforcement tactics and trends, and special initiatives. We will also examine what to expect on new rulemakings going into 2024.
Director: Mike Lenahan, Badger Mining, Berlin, WI
Karen A. Lutz, TRC, Ann Arbor, MI
The ever-expanding universe of ESG/Sustainability information requests from investors, regulators and customers requires companies to implement rigorous reporting processes to keep pace. External disclosures based on decision-useful information with strong data lineage and governance systems build trust and confidence and align external reporting with internal benefits. Choosing the appropriate standards and frameworks so that your external reporting meets the needs of your stakeholders is just the tip of the iceberg. We will also cover effective processes to ensure a transparent and traceable, comparable but differentiating, ambitious but credible Sustainability report that creates value for your organization.
Panelists:
Safety & health speakers from metalcasting companies: Brent Charlton, Mickey Hannum, Mary Kay Crowley, Andrew Kress
Networking, time with exhibitors, Hors D'Oeuvres, and refreshments for all
Brent Charlton, Metal Technologies Inc., Auburn, IN
Mickey Hannum, McWane Inc., Birmingham, AL
Jeff Rasmussen, M&H Valve, Anniston, AL
Jeff Heishman, Clow Valve, Oskaloosa, IA
Calvin Wildeboer, John Deere, Waterloo, IA
William Donovan, OSHA Regional Administrator, Region V, Chicago, IL
Gary Lescallet, OSHA Deputy Regional Administrator, Region V, Chicago, IL
Abby Ferri, CSP, ARM, Insurate, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Kelly Franko, Seraphina Safety Apparel, Cortland, OH
This session is for any stage of the inclusive PPE journey, learn more about the past and present of PPE fit, and identify strategies to impact the future. After this session, you’ll be able to:
Mark A. Lies, Labor and Employment Lawyer and Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago, IL
Adam R. Young, Labor and Employment Lawyer and Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago, IL
Mary Kay Crowley, CIH, John Deere Foundry, Waterloo, IA
Pete Buczek, WGS Global Services LLC, Davisburg, MI
Kay Rowntree, Industrial Hygiene Sciences LLC, Waterford, WI
AFS member: $825 early / $975 standard
Non-member: $1,225 early / $1,450 standard
Early registration ends 8/29/23.
AFS presents a variety of technical and management conferences (in both in-person and virtual formats). The refund policy for AFS conferences is as follows: 1) Substitutions are accepted at no charge at any time up until the start of the conference; 2) Full refunds are offered if AFS is notified in writing of cancellation at least 30 days in advance of the conference. No refunds or credits are available for less than 30 days written notice.