World Safety Congress – Seoul Korea

Day 3 – July 1, 2008

HAPPY CANADA DAY from Korea. Some of us Canadians got together for a picture as we celebrated our pride within the country.



I was surprised by some of the comments of some of the people that passed as we took the picture – it did the whole range from "Happy Canada Day" to "I hope you are not the ones that support the use of Asbestos in your country."

I was an invited guest at the INSPHO General Annual Meeting, which took place throughout the morning. INSPHO is the global voice for the occupational safety and health profession and acts as a forum for international collaboration among professional organizations to improve safety and health at work. The Board of Directors is made up of each of the represented member groups and are as follows: Eddie Greer – President of INSPHO (ASSE); Martin Ralph – President elect of INSPHO (IFAP); Jim Allan (CSSE); Paul Faupel (IOSH); Yoosoof Jauhangeer (IOSHM); Neville Rockhouse (NZISM); Phil Lovelock (SIA); Andrew Tan (SISO) and Nikolay Novikov (NACOSH). The meeting approved 3 more full members – KOSHA, COSHA, and . The affiliated member of CSP, has been joined as well by BCRSP. More information can be found from their web page – www.inspho.org.



The evening ended with a celebration dinner entitled Korean Night with traditional food and cross cultural performances and entertainment again, at the Seoul Race Park Convention Hall.

World Safety Congress – Seoul Korea

Day 2 – June 30, 2008

It is amazing that even when over 170 different countries and organizations, with translators in various languages, get together to discuss a common subject (health and safety) you hear the same issues and discussion topics around the table time and time again.



After the general session in the morning, the exhibit area opened with ribbon cutting and more traditional drumming. There was Intentional Film and Multimedia Festival that also opened on the Monday. There were a couple of Canadian entries into this – such as IAPA`s new worker orientation and the Danatec WHMIS video created by CalBright Ventures Inc out of Montreal. The afternoon was filled with visiting these sessions and choosing between which of the 16 symposia sessions I wanted to attend.



INSHPO, the International Network of Safety and Health Practioner Organizations of which we are a part, had their Executive Council Meeting during this day and were busy preparing for their Annual General Meeting the following day.

In the evening, there was some time to see local sites and experience some of the culture, as well as visit with Canadian friends at the conference and at the various tour spots.

World Safety Congress – Seoul Korea

Day 1 – June 29, 2008

The XVIII World Safety Congress on Safety and Health at Work – Global Forum for Prevention – Safety and Health at work: A Societal Responsibility took place in Seoul Korea from June 29 to July 2, 2008. CSSE was very generous in providing me with an honorarium to help cover some of the conference expenses, as I choose to represent the CSSE at many of the functions. On the first day, I attended the welcome reception where I had wonderful traditional drinks and sampled the delicious food.

The opening ceremonies started in the late afternoon with the introduction of the Prime Minister of Korea along with traditional dancing and drum playing. Each of the sponsoring organizations – ISSA, ILO and KOSHA – brought the tone of welcome and of importance to the topics that would be presented over the next three days. We heard of the day’s activities with a health and safety charter being signed by these organizations and many businesses that were invited to a summit on health and safety earlier in the afternoon. If you are interested, you can read the charter on the KOSHA and the ILO websites. Canada was represented around the Table by HRSDC. Many other special meetings occurred during the day such as the Robert W Campbell award Global Alliance meeting and the meeting of the WHO collaborating Centres in Occupational Health.

A welcome reception had wonderful traditional drinks and food for all of us to sample. The reception allowed us some time to catch up with old friends and safety peers, as well as make some new acquaintances. Paul Pascoe was there, as well as all the members of INSHPO, president of IOSH - Ray Hurst and President of ASSE – Warren Brown. I even ran into some of my friends from UAE – Andrew Broderick and Steven Storey.

Congratulations to...

Peggy Craig of Baycrest Ontario!

Peggy won the CSSE Toronto Chapter draw for a free registration to the Quebec City Conference. Toront Chapter Chair, Peter Sturm, announced that not only is Peggy a regular meeting attendee (7/10 meetings this year), she has also encouraged co-workers and co-op students to attend meetings throughout the year.

Facts & Figures:
o Prize - a Full Conference Plus registration for the CSSE’s Professional Development Conference in Quebec City, September 14-17, 2008. The prize value is over $800, and includes the Monday Evening Event, an evening dinner cruise on the St. Lawrence River
o Draw entries were earned by attending monthly chapter breakfast meetings from September 2007 to June 2008
o Early bird draw was held in January, and Joe Libralesso from J.D. Smith & Sons won registration for the February Education Day ($125 value)
o Over 90 chapter members participated
o Over 200 ballots were earned

Photo: Peter Sturm, Toronto Chapter Chair, Peggy Craig, Baycrest (draw winner) and Ryan Conlin, Stringer Brisbin Humphrey (meeting speaker)


Participation at monthly meetings is important and allows for individuals to converse with their peers and hopefully learn a thing or two.

Thank you to all CSSE members who regularly attend chapter meetings, your support is greatly appreciated! And congrats again Peggy, we wish you an enjoyable time in Quebec City in September.

ASSE Conference - Day 4

I attended some great concurrent sessions, to expand my professional knowledge and to get ideas for our own PDC. On the last day of conference, I spent some time meeting with and saying goodbye to my contacts, friends and peers. It was my last time representing the CSSE as President.

I must admit there was some personal time spent at the conference as well – visiting with safety peers and friends, making new contacts, seeing a show during a night on the town and having a little pool time. Conferences are about learning new information, bringing back tools and skills, making contacts, and re-energizing our own batteries to be able to utilize these things. Another Successful ASSE Conference.

I want to extend a thank you to the ASSE staff, board members, fellows and members, who over this conference and last, have taken time during my Presidency to meet and get to know me, support me and treat me like a real show girl... you all have been truly wonderful and generous during my time as President.

ASSE Conference - Day 3

Meeting of the minds

The second day opening session focused on honouring the contributions of Mike Thompson within his presidency this last year. His family was in attendance, which really emphasised his messages of support. Support of family and friends and members of the organization were strong messages within his speech. Mike has made a great contribution to the ASSE and to the profession as a whole in the last year.

The morning speaker, Dr. Robert Cialdini, that followed was a highlight of the conference for me. His session “ Principles of Ethical Influence” was wonderful as he talked about our circle of influence. This is one of the “meeting of the mind sessions”; I believe in what he spoke about and will be able to apply some of the tools that he gave us during the session.

The first formal "meeting of the mind sessions" was at the VIP Luncheon Meeting hosted by ASSE president, Mike Thompson. There was representation from many safety / safety and health related associations including: AIHA, IOSH, CSSE, ASSE, BCSP, ABIN, BCE and each provided updates on their activities & initiatives. The group also discussed current issues and concerns.

The AIHA updated us on their court case with TLV’s in the US.
Input report:
- Discussion on promotion of the profession via media, outreach programs, involvement with education
- Economic situation will affect uptake on programs, book sales, so need to budget to memebership fees – US trend
- Discussion on collaboration possibilities between organizations
- Good governance and social responsibilities

International Transportability of Safety Credentials meeting, hosted by BCSP, Roger Brauer
- Roger gave a presentation and a discussion regarding the issues and concerns followed
- We discussed that an existing individual organization will be able to implement programs such as certification or member body, but need to look to organizations such as INSPHO or ENSPHO to do so.

Once I receive the minutes of this meeting, I will post onto the blog.

International Practice Group – meeting and dinner took place on Wednesday evening.

ASSE Conference - Day 2

Starting with Flare

I was up early to be at my rehearsal at 6:30 am – for my colourful presentation and fraternal greetings at the Conference Opening. Because I was making a grand entrance with showgirl feathers, my rehearsal was kept separate from the others, so as to keep it a surprise to the general population. I have included some pictures and the speaker’s notes, which I only used as a guideline, much to the frustration of the Teleprompters. I believe that it made an impression. If you where there – let me know what you thought.





The afternoon allowed some time to walk the exhibit hall and meet up with peers, associates, and friends. The exhibits are truly amazing – every year I am impressed by the number of exhibits that are available.

Eldeen’s Speaker Notes:

What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas!
Speaking notes for Eldeen Pozniak – CSSE President
Wow, it is great to be here at the ASSE conference and bring greetings and well wishes for your PDC from the CSSE to you Mr. President, IOSH and other association dignitaries, invited guests, and ASSE delegates.

Of course some of you delegates come to the conference not only for the professional development, networking opportunities and contacts, but for the cultural aspect of the location as well. I have spent some time seeing the sites having come in early and I've managed to catch a couple shows.

Part of the cultural aspect here in Vegas is the motto "What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas"; I tried to see how that applied to this profession, our respective organizations and this conference.



Slide 1
On the topic of Networking
Things to Take away from Vegas:
• Contact information from other safety professional from around the globe.

Thing to Stay in Vegas:
• Contact information from “others” that you met in Vegas from around the globe.

The international relationship information related to this next item as well.

Slide 2
On the topic of Transportability of Credentials
Things to Take away from Vegas:
• Improved skills and international relationship information
The CSSE, along with the ASSE and IOSH all believe that this profession is the best profession and it supports the concepts of professional development within it. Conferences such as this one allow us to expand our knowledge and skills. And that information, those tools, should not be left in Vegas. The CSSE is working with organizations such as ASSE, IOSH, INSHPO to further explore the competencies of the Profession at home, as well as within an international transportability concept.

Things to Stay in Vegas:
• Any package given to you by a stranger in Vegas – you do not want to transport that anywhere.

Slide 3
On the topic of Relationships and Partnerships
Things to Take away from Vegas:
• Take ideas and working relationships

The CSSE values our cross-border relationship. Networking between organizations is key to our success, as there is a larger voice in numbers. Partnering in initiatives such as NAOSH Week and the Professional Day allow further emphasis and general knowledge throughout North America. Our Canadian NAOSH Week launch this year was in our Capital, Ottawa. We are honoured by the support and participation from our US counterparts and had a wonderful time at the post luncheon at the US Embassy. Andrew Cooper, the NAOSH Week chair in Canada, appreciated his wonderful inclusion at your launch in Washington. These types of initiatives, partnerships and relationship activities come from meetings that we have at conferences such as this. Conversations and ideas – safety and health related - that are generated at formal meetings, within workshops, or over a meal and social event here, should not stay here, but be taken back, worked on and fostered.

Thing to Stay in Vegas:
• Try not to take away any relationships that have started at Wedding Chapel on the Strip.



Slide 4
On the topic of Professional Development
Things to Take away from Vegas:
• New knowledge and skills learned at the professional development conference.

Thing to Stay in Vegas:
• New knowledge and skills learned at the gambling tables.



Slide 5
On the topic of Renewed Passion and Re-energization
Things to take away from Vegas:
• The renewed passion and energy that we get from having people with a common interest get together to discuss, share and maybe cut loose a little. We need to refuel our tanks once in awhile and organizations such as CSSE and yours assist with that – giving us information, networking opportunities as well as have our backs when things get rough.

Things to Stay in Vegas:
• Any other passion or 'stuff' that makes you energized that you may have come across here in Vegas.

Slide 6
The re-energization that we get from being with and supporting each other, needs to be carried with us over the year until we get together again, not Stay in Vegas. The contacts and networks that we create here, should not be forgotten once we leave Vegas, but utilized and celebrated throughout the year.

We need to take it home, to our workplaces, to our communities - the information and skills that we share here - so that we can be the best that we can be in this profession.

I wish you a successful conference.