Home

Events

Participation

Join

The staff is working in the office document storage area. The warehouse workers are checking the stock on the shelves in the production department.

Safety Insights


The Summit County Safety Council newsletter provides valuable safety information and resources to business owners and professionals, enhancing workplace safety and employee well-being across various industries. 

Join Us for This Month's Safety Council Meeting


Wednesday, March 18, 2026

11:30 AM

Our Lady of the Cedars


Generational Engagement and Safety: Building a Cross-Generational Safety Culture 


Nicholas Coia

Chief Operating Officer 

Coia Safety & Consultative Services LLC 




Today’s workforce spans Baby Boomers to Gen Z. Without intentional engagement, generational differences in values, communication, and risk perception can lead to disconnects in safety culture. This session provides insight into engaging all age groups to build a unified, proactive safety mindset. 



Key Takeaways:

  • Understand how each generation engages with safety
  • Identify indicators of generational disconnect
  •  Apply actionable strategies to unify your team


Nicholas Coia is the Chief Operating Officer of Coia Safety & Consultative Services LLC, where he leads innovative safety solutions that help businesses create safer, more compliant workplaces. With over 20 years of experience in the safety and health field, including more than a decade as a consultant, he has worked extensively across both general industry and construction, guiding organizations through compliance, risk reduction, and culture change.


As a recognized safety expert, Nic has presented at industry-leading conferences, including the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo, sharing insights on effective safety strategies, OSHA compliance, and building sustainable safety programs.


Coia Safety & Consultative Services is committed to helping businesses proactively manage workplace safety through fractional consulting, program development, OSHA violation response, and customized training. The company’s mission is to go beyond compliance by fostering a culture where safety becomes second nature.


Outside of work, Nic enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, coaching soccer, basketball, and volleyball, and staying actively engaged in community development efforts aimed at preparing the next generation for success.

Review your FY26 Rebate Program Credits


If you are participating in the BWC’s Safety Council Rebate Program, there are only four regular meetings remaining to earn your FY26 Rebate Program credits. You must obtain 10 safety council credits between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.



Key ways to obtain credits:


Monthly safety council meeting attendance – One credit per month for attending the enrolled council’s meeting.


• External training credits – Up to two credits for completing BWC safety training courses (in-person or virtual training courses (VTC) only), in-person safety training from external providers (e.g., industry associations, TPAs), or attending the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo® – one credit per day of in-person attendance (maximum of two credits). External training certificates must be submitted to safety council sponsor by June 30, 2026.


• BWC on-site safety consultation – Two credits (available once every three years). Must include a full hazard assessment, a claims review, and submission of the official BWC Assessment Report to the safety council sponsor by June 30, 2026.


You may review your current meeting credits here.


View the External Training Guide for Emplyers here.

Cari's Safety Corner


Q: What key safety concerns should we focus on when training employees and conducting inspections in an office setting?


A: Office settings may seem at a low risk compared to industrial areas, but there are still plenty of hazards that can lead to injuries if we are not proactive.


One of the most common issues is trip and fall hazards, such as cords across walkways, cluttered aisles, or uneven flooring. Good housekeeping practices are critical for preventing these problems, including keeping workspaces organized and cleaning up spills immediately. We should also focus on ergonomics to prevent strains from poor workstation setups, fire safety by ensuring clear access to exits and proper storage of flammable materials, and electrical safety by inspecting overloaded outlets or damaged cords. Additionally, emergency preparation is key. Employees should know evacuation

routes and how to respond in case of an incident.


Regular inspections help catch issues like damaged furniture, poor lighting, or blocked exits before they become hazards. Ultimately, office safety is about awareness and consistency. By combining training with routine checks, we can create a safer, more comfortable environment for everyone. Start by inspecting your own area first and set a

good example, then share it forward!



Cari Gray is an Industrial Safety Consultant Specialist with the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC).

Celebrating National Ladder Safety Month

Learn all about National Ladder Safety Month, from its history to its importance, all the way to how companies can observe it!

March Safety Topics: Key Workplace Safety Topics for the Month

Discover 10 key workplace safety topics for March, including eye safety, ladder safety, fatigue management & more. Keep your workplace safe!

Prevent Blindness Declares March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month, Offering Free Educational Resources to Employers and Employees to Help Prevent Eye Injuries, Avoid Digital Eye Strain

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month at Prevent Blindness, the nation's leading patient advocacy organization dedicated to preventing...

Hearing protector fit testing: New guidance from OSHA

OSHA is providing guidance on hearing protector fit testing, which isn’t required under occupational noise exposure standards but is considered a best practice.

New from OSHA - OSHA Cares Job Safety and Health Workplace Poster

You can get a copy of the OSHA poster by: Ordering a print copy online from the OSHA Publications webpage. The English version is publication number 3165. The Spanish version is publication number 3167. Downloading a copy from the OSHA website.

It's Time to be your Best Slept Self

Sleep Awareness Week is a time to reemphasize the important connection between your sleep and your health and well-being. Join us!

Pathways to Wholeness: A 2-Hour Wellness Reset for Women

Carve Your Own Path presents Pathways to Wholeness: A 2-Hour Wellness Reset for Women - Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Copley High School, Akron, OH. Find event and ticket information.

Students cpr or nurses teaching with mannequin for first aid practice cardiac arrest or safety protocol. Healthcare class advice or people in medical simulation paramedic course or nursing school

Upcoming CPR Training


March 10, 2026 - 8:30am - 2:00pm


The Trailhead at Cascade Lofts

21 W North St.

Akron OH 44304


June 16, 2026 - 8:30am - 2:00pm


Our Lady of the Cedars

507 S Cleveland Massillon Rd

Fairlawn OH 44333


Cost for active SCSC Members - $50.00 (includes lunch)


Our CPR training and certification program offers comprehensive instruction in CPR, First Aid, AED Use, Bloodborne Pathogens Training and Stop the Bleed Certification. Expert instructors from Shull Medical Educators will guide you through the training and provide certification upon completion. Certified by the Health and Safety Institute (HSI).

Ohio BWC News


BWC Safety Intervention Grant


The Safety Intervention Grant Program (SIG) is now accepting applications! Employers can complete their application and their reporting requirements online. The SIG program provides 3-to-1 matching funds up to $40,000 for state fund private and public employers. The funds are available to purchase equipment to substantially reduce or eliminate injuries and illness associated with a particular task or operation. 


Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) Program


The Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program (SUPR) combines the Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP), DFSP Safety Grants, and the Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program (SUR) into a single program to address workplace use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs.


Safety Services catalog


The Safety Services catalog has transitioned to the new Safety training webpage. The updated page organizes our safety training course offerings by type and industry. Customers can easily search for available courses and register directly through the Learning Management System.


Resources and Class Information



As part of the annual regular schedule BWC will offer a selection of instructor-led classes to be taught virtually. Both in-person and virtual classes will be scheduled. Instructor-led Virtual Training Classes (VTCs) will be provided the same BWC program credits as their in-person classroom counterparts.


Monthly learning - March, 2026

Includes In-person classes, Webinars, Virtual Training Classes and Online eCourses


Virtual Training Classes January 2026 - June 2026


In-person course schedule July 2025 - June 2026


Canton In-person course schedule July 2025 - June 2026


Fall Hazards in Construction and Maintenance


Learning Center


Micro Training Videos


Written Program Templates


Safety Talks


Sign up for BWC's eNotifications


Highlights from February

Advertising Sponsorships


As a forum for workplace health and safety, Summit County Safety Council is offering opportunities for your company to showcase your product/services in front of approximately 150 people in the Health, Safety, Environmental and HR Fields during a monthly safety council meeting in the upcoming year (6/1/26 to 12/31/26). 


Advertising opportunities include:


  • E-newsletter ad for the month of sponsorship (sent the beginning of the month to approx. 700 contacts)
  • Logo on meeting reminder (sent two days prior to meeting)
  • Name and Link from our events page to sponsor's website for one month prior to meeting
  • Commercial speaking time up to 5 minutes during opening of the meeting
  • Display table at meeting for promotional materials, brochures, signage
  • Up to two paid lunches for sponsored meeting


Criteria:


  • The service or products your company provides must have some degree of relevance or be aligned with our objectives.
  • Newsletter ad info such as logo, tagline, contact information, call to action statement, etc. must be submitted by the 29th day of the month prior to the month of sponsorship.
  • Limit to one event per year.
  • We have a no-soliciting policy and cannot provide our membership contact information. However, a membership roster can be found on our website.


Cost: $200.00


Interested in sponsoring a meeting? Have questions or need more information? Call Sally Cox at 330-806-1676 or email summitcountysafetycouncil@gmail.com.

Facebook