Billboard operations professionals gathered near Chicago, IL, last week to discuss worker safety guidelines and practices at the 2018 OAAA Operations & Safety Seminar. A group of 90 attendees from OOH media companies, law firms, billboard manufactures, and OOH suppliers heard from industry experts and participated in open discussions about the safety of their staff.
“This was one of the best events I have attended in years,” commented one respondent to an event follow-up survey. “I have never been to an event where the communication was so open and organic.” More than 95 percent of survey respondents felt the seminar met or exceeded expectations.
Also impressed with the level of collaboration at the seminar, Eddy Carolan, Softsigns, said in an email to OAAA, “This was a group of concerned people who care about the safety and well being of any person who works in our industry. It was inspiring to see this group of professionals putting aside differences to work together to ensure our industry and its people are cared for.”
Softsigns was one of nine exhibitors at the seminar – a new feature at OAAA’s biannual event. Others in the table-top Expo included All Steel Structures, Daktronics, Independent’s, MMT, OutdoorLink, Siroky Group, Tiffin Metal Products, and Tuf-Tug.
Experts from Adams + Fairway Outdoor Advertising and Lamar Advertising Company explained new regulations in fall protection and offered real examples of how to apply policies in the field.
“Fall protection is one of the most important topics there is,” said one attendee. “The real stories presenters shared made an impact. I think that is great.”
Looking ahead, the OAAA Safety, Standards & Technology (SST) Committee will focus on topics suggested by attendees: driver safety, electrical training, inspections, and safety program strategies.
“We owe it to the hard-working folks in our industry to provide safe working conditions,” said SST Chair Vince Miller, DDI Media. “We as industry professionals and leaders cannot become complacent about safety. We need to make investing in safety a priority to support the health and well-being of our business.”
Modified: 2 years