BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation will host a Wednesday, May 21, presentation entitled “Developing and Maintaining a Safety Culture.” The Northern Minnesota Safety Council presentation 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.

A $25 fee will be charged to cover the price of materials and lunch, and advance registration is encouraged.

To register for the presentation, or for questions regarding the CRI’s series of Safety Council presentations, contact the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation at (218) 755-4900; toll free, (888) 738-3224; via e-mail at cri@bemidjistate.edu or on the Web at http://www.cri-bsu.org.

Presenting will be Donald Hejna, environmental health and safety manager, wood products, for Potlatch Forest Products Corporation. Hejna will explain how a safety culture can be established by workers and leaders with a common goal. Perceived expectations, personal involvement and activities influence how people address working safely. The presentation will include many examples and real life experiences of ways to develop both a safe work place and personal values of working safely.

Following a career in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hejna joined Potlatch in 1989 as the Minnesota Division engineer involved in the construction of the Bemidji Lumber Mill and expansion of the OSB plant. He became the first environmental health and safety manager for Wood Products with a focus on environmental responsibility and safety. Potlatch’s commitment to safety is demonstrated by having achieved STAR status in the Minnesota and OSHA Voluntary Protection Program.

The session is part of a monthly series sponsored by the CRI and the Northern Minnesota Safety Council and designed for those professionals who are responsible for the safety of their organizations. Offered the third Wednesday of each month, the series features 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.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
May 21 – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation hosts Northern Minnesota Safety Council presentation, “Developing and Maintaining a Safety Culture.” Presenter: Donald Hejna, environmental health and safety manager, Potlach Forest Prodcuts Corporation. Location: CRI; 3801 Bemidji Ave. N.; Bemidji, Minn. Cost: $25; includes materials and lunch. For information: (218) 755-4900; (888) 738-3224; http://www.cri-bsu.org. Advance reservations encouraged.