JEDCO, Jefferson Chamber to host workplace safety seminar

The safety of your employees is paramount to the success of your business. Not only will a focus on workplace safety protect your employees while they are on the job, but it will also protect your business from legal challenges and public relations issues that result from workplace injury or death. As part of the 2016 Prosper Jefferson seminar series, JEDCO & the Jefferson Chamber are teaming up to help you keep your employees and your business safe.

Three experts will share suggestions and facts to improve safety management and avoid workplace injuries. Topics include:

• Statistics and overview of workplace injury and deaths
• Nine elements of effective safety management systems
• Working with law enforcement to maintain a safe business environment
• The importance of crime cameras within the community
• Identifying worksite hazards

Join us Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at the JEDCO Conference Center (701A Churchill Parkway, Avondale, LA 70094) from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. for our upcoming Prosper Jefferson seminar. This event is free and open to the public. Please register at www.jedco.org/events

Meet Our Speakers

BETH INBAU, National Safety Council

Beth is the President & CEO of the National Safety Council, South Louisiana Chapter. Since 1993, she has led the not-for-profit training and membership organization in its mission of reducing deaths and injuries at work, on the road and in homes and communities.

Beth is a native of the New Orleans area and earned an Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety & Health.  She is a National Safety Council certified instructor for the Defensive Driving Courses, the First Aid & CPR courses and the Occupational Safety & Health courses.  She is a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician, as well as a LA state certified EMS instructor.

She currently serves as President of the New Orleans River Region Chapter of the LA Association of Nationally Registered EMTs, Past President and active member of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers and of the Delta Safety Society, active member of the Southeast LA DWI Task Force, New Orleans Regional Traffic Safety Coalition, Hammond Safe Communities American Coalition, Dawn Busters Kiwanis Club and more.

BRYAN LAGARDE, Project NOLA               

A New Orleans native, Bryan Lagarde is a criminologist and the director of Project NOLA, a 501(c)3 non-profit created to help reduce crime by dramatically increasing police efficiency and citizen awareness.  Bryan developed the largest and most cost-efficient High Definition citywide networked crime camera system in America, which has also become the most successful crime fighting program in New Orleans given the hundreds of felony investigations Project NOLA routinely helps close.  With his law enforcement background, formal education of criminology at Loyola, and ability to monitor criminal behavior in real time from over 1800 HD crime cameras across the metro New Orleans region, Bryan possesses a highly unique and insightful knowledge of criminal tactics.

A former law enforcement officer, Bryan has dedicated his career to improving public safety.  While working with the NOPD as a patrol officer, Bryan received certificates of merit from the Mayor and New Orleans City Council for taking the most firearms off the street.  As an investigator for the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office, Bryan specialized in economic and organized crimes and received special training by the FBI and the Department of Justice. At the DA’s office, Bryan created and managed the office’s first investigations tracking database that cataloged case notes, evidence, reports and acted as a contact and scheduling management software solution, which dramatically increased office efficiency and helped the Economic Crimes Unit recover 4x more in victim restitution.  As a police consultant, Bryan now actively assists Federal, State and local law enforcement with the investigation of felony crimes.

PETER QUITZAU, Entergy             

Peter is a Certified Occupational Safety Specialist who works for Entergy Louisiana in the Distribution and Utilities Operations group.  Peter provides guidance and support to Entergy employees within the Distribution organization to ensure that they understand and are adhering to Entergy safe work rules and policies.

Peter started his career with Louisiana Power and Light Company in 1982 as a lineman in the East Jefferson and East St. Charles Parish areas.  He worked on a line construction crew for 7 years before accepting a position as Service Operator in the Line Construction and Service Department.  In 1991, Peter made another career change, moving into the Distribution Engineering Department as an Engineering Associate.  For 23 years, Peter designed projects to replace old poles, relocate equipment for customers and provide electric service to new residential and commercial property. During his time in Engineering, Peter participated on many safety teams, including Behavioral Based Safety, Smith System Driver Training, Human Performance, and Safety Advisory Boards – just to name a few.  He quickly realized his passion for safety, so a year and a half ago, he made it a full-time job and transitioned into his current position as Safety Specialist.