BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation will host a Wednesday, Jan. 16, presentation on the topic of loss control. The program, presented by the Northern Minnesota Safety Council, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CRI, an off-campus facility located at 3801 Bemidji Avenue North in Bemidji.

A $25 fee will be charged to cover the price of materials and lunch. Advance registration is encouraged in order to guarantee lunch and materials by calling the CRI at (218) 755-4900; toll free, (888) 738-3224. A registration form is also available on the Web at http://www.cri-bsu.org.

Presenting will be Debra Sletten, a Gonvick-based loss control consultant with Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust (MCIT).

The first part of her presentation is entitled “Loss Control: Questions in the Field,” pertaining to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) related questions that are commonly addressed during routine safety surveys. The second part, “What’s Wrong With This Picture? Test Your Skills, a Visual Quiz,” consists of a safety slide show highlighting common and more unusual real-world hazards to people and property.

The session is designed to be useful to anyone charged with safety responsibilities including members of the general public. Attendees will receive handouts for both presentations and several fact sheets on topics such as eyewash stations, overhead doors, cranes and hoists, lockout- tag-out procedures and electrical maintenance.

Sletten gained much of her experience in safety training and OSHA compliance during 24 years as a safety and training supervisor in the wood products industry. She is currently the MCIT loss control representative for 20 counties in northwest Minnesota. She holds a master’s degree in industrial education and is an OSHA 501 outreach instructor, emergency medical technician and Red Cross and American Heart Association instructor.

The session is part of a monthly series sponsored by the CRI and the Northern Minnesota Safety Council designed for those professionals who are responsible for the safety of their organizations. Offered the third Wednesday of each month, they feature experts from around the state discussing a variety of topics related to safety.

Groups on the Bemidji Area Safety Council helping organize the monthly safety presentations include Bi-County CAP, Beltrami County, North Central Door Company, Potlatch and Tri-Valley.

Individuals who wish to be added to a mailing list for the series or have questions should contact the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation at (218) 755-4900; toll free, (888) 738-3224; e-mail, cri@bemidjistate.edu.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Jan. 16 – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Northern Minnesota Safety Council presentation, “Loss Control: Questions in the Field.” Location: Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation; 3801 Bemidji Ave. N, Bemidji. Cost: $25. For information: (218) 755-4900; (888) 738-3244; http://www.cri-bsu.org.