Featured image: RISA members: (From top left) Brad Rodgers, occupational health & safety manager with FutureFuel Chemical Company; Bryan Lamb, Badboy Mowers safety manager; Philip Antici, HSES manager with FutureFuel; Chris Cash, safety director with the city of Batesville; Shaun Robinson, EMT instructor at UACCB; Wiley Osborn Jr., human resources leader with The Toro Company; Jonathan Simmons, operations technician with Entergy’s Independence Plant; Melissa Tate, safety coordinator with FutureFuel; Amanda Hastings, EH&S safety advocate with Intimidator; Dustin Jennings, EH&S safety advocate with Intimidator.
The Regional Industrial Safety Alliance, in cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing’s OSHA Consultation staff, hosted the 24th Annual Workers’ Safety Conference on Sept. 25 at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.
RISA is a volunteer-led network of safety professionals in north-central Arkansas focused on improving workplace safety through education and collaboration. The ADLL OSHA Consultation section provides free and confidential on-site assistance to help employers comply with federal OSHA requirements and reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. More information is available at labor.arkansas.gov.
The nonprofit conference supports that mission with OSHA updates, safety training sessions, a vendor expo, and free health screenings. All attendees receive a Department of Labor training certificate.
This year’s agenda included the National Anthem performed by the Batesville Chamber Choir under the direction of Alicia Davidson; remarks from Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery; a workers’ memorial; and presentations on amputation prevention, hand safety, CPR and first aid, fall protection, OSHA updates, hearing protection, and mental health in the workplace. The ADLL OSHA Consultation staff coordinated registration, conference materials, and vendor support.
Russ and Laurel Youngstrom delivered the keynote address, “It Won’t Happen to Me,” sharing their story following Russ’s life-altering workplace accident nearly three decades ago.
The 2025 conference drew 135 attendees and was sponsored by Entergy, Spartan Mowers & UTVs, Peco Foods, and Bad Boy Mowers. Registration remained $25 and included conference materials, breakfast and snacks provided by UACCB, and lunch from Fred’s Fish House. Breakfast sponsors included FutureFuel Chemical Co., First Community Bank, and RAWK Imprinting. The event’s theme was “On the Hunt for a Safer Tomorrow,” and door prizes included a crossbow from Southside Farm and Outdoor.
Since 2019, RISA has awarded fall and spring scholarships to UACCB industrial technology students, with a goal of building a self-sustaining endowment. This year’s scholarship sponsors were LaCroix Precision Optics, White River Materials, and Edgar Electric Inc.
RISA encourages area safety professionals, industries, and workers to participate in future conferences, provide door prizes, become sponsors, or join the RISA Committee. Membership fees are currently waived. For more information, contact Committee President Brad Rodgers at bradleyrodgers@ffcmail.com.
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