The Oklahoma Department of Labor is supporting and helping plan the 2026 Oklahoma Safety Council Conference & Expo, which will feature presentations on a variety of pertinent issues.
“Conferences like this play a vital role in strengthening workplace safety practices, sharing knowledge, and fostering a culture of safety and health across industries throughout Oklahoma,” state Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn said.
The speaker lineup will include Jason Hudson, the Labor Department’s OSHA consultation director.
The conference and expo is scheduled April 20-22 at the OKANA Resort and Conference Center in Oklahoma City.
Safety professionals from across Oklahoma and 14 other states are expected to attend this year’s conference, which will feature:
•Expert-led sessions on workplace safety and health.
•Opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
•Exhibitors showcasing the latest safety innovations.
•Hands-on learning experiences and competitions.
For more information about the agenda, speakers and exhibitors, or to register, click on https://www.eventleaf. com/e/2026OSCCONFERENCE.
Pre-conference training is scheduled on Monday, April 20. Advance registration is required. Spots are limited. Sessions will include artificial intelligence, ethics, fundamentals of crew leadership, and OSHA inspections.
From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and again from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., David Bates will explain how to navigate an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Bates worked for OSHA for 35 years; for 12 years he was the Area Director in Oklahoma, responsible for managing enforcement and cooperative programs in all 77 counties.
A session is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on “practical AI skills for a rapidly changing workplace.” The hands-on session is intended to teach how AI tools can help employees and employers work faster and communicate more clearly. Those who complete the session will receive a certificate from the Safety Council.
A five-hour interactive ethics session with Dr. Mellena Nichols from Southeastern Oklahoma State University is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20.
Also on tap April 20 is a golf tournament at Trosper Golf Course in OKC. Entrants will enjoy a morning of networking and friendly competition.
April 21 activities
From 8:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. April 21, Daniel Orr will discuss how a strong safety culture becomes the driving force behind organizational performance. He explores why safety must be more than compliance – it must be the energy source that sustains people, productivity, and long-term success, he contends.
Participants can explore the exhibit hall between 9:20 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. April 21. There they will find safety professionals, exhibitors, colleagues, door prize drawings, interactive learning opportunities, and a variety of engaging activities.
An outdoor session – “Red Lights, Real Risks: Truck Inspections” – is scheduled from 10:20 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., and again from 1:30 to 2:25 p.m., with Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop S.
Through real-world examples, regulatory context, and best-practice guidance, attendees will gain an understanding of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the operational considerations that OHP officers use in the field.
From 1:30 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. April 21:
•One session will delve into the complete case management lifecycle for workplace injuries – from the moment of incident to a successful return to work.
•A moderated panel featuring senior safety leaders from Oklahoma’s largest oil and gas producers will conduct an open, practical conversation on the realities of safety leadership in today’s energy environment.
•“Hidden Hazards: How Everyday Behavior Impacts Fire and Life Safety,” will be the subject of one session. Those risks aren’t always caused by equipment failures or major system breakdowns; many start with everyday human behavior.
•Another session will focus on oral fluid drug testing, which is on the rise – “and for good reason.”
“Workers’ Comp: From Workplace Injury to Resolution,” is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 21. A team of professionals will explain a Workers’ Compensation case from start to finish.
Also between 3 and 4:30 p.m. April 21 will be a session on “Making Sense of New Arc Flash Standards.” Recent changes to arc flash standards have left many safety, maintenance, facility, plant, and operations managers scratching their heads.
A Workers’ Memorial Day Vigil is scheduled April 21, from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. The state Department of Labor, the AFLCIO and the Oklahoma Safety Council will host “a solemn remembrance to honor workers who lost their lives on the job, and a time to recommit to safe and healthy workplaces throughout Oklahoma.”
April 22 agenda
Accident investigation competition is slated for April 22. It will be an opportunity to experience a hands-on, teambased experience simulating a real workplace incident. Participants will collaborate, investigate, and apply their safety knowledge in a realistic setting.
Also on April 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:25 a.m., a presentation will discuss the various air permitting categories for sources of air pollution in Oklahoma, as well as common recordkeeping and reporting requirements for permitted sources.
Scheduled from 9:45 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. April 22 is “The Dangers of Dirt: an exploration of excavation in construction.”
Another program scheduled for 9:45 to 10:40 a.m. April 22 is “Powering Down Premiums: Managing Your Experience Modifier.” This session will explore why actively managing an experience modifier is critical to an organization’s financial health.
“From Classroom to Clock-In: Keeping Young Workers Safe on the Job” is slated from 11 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, teen workers are injured every 9 minutes, at twice the rate as their adult counterparts.