2018 Agriculture Safety Day Wenatchee
 
Speakers
Elena Austin
University of Washington
Research Scientist – Elena Austin is a research scientist at the University of Washington where she works with the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center investigating workplace injuries in dairy workers and agricultural worker health indicators. Elena came to the University of Washington after completing her doctoral thesis in Environmental Exposure Assessment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Since relocating to Washington she has pursued varied research interests including measurement and modeling of traffic related pollutants, pesticide drift and the deployment and validation of low-cost chemical sensors.
 
Craig Blackwood
WA Dept of Labor & Industries

Craig Blackwood, Deputy Assistant Director, Division of Occupational Safety & Health

Craig Blackwood was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Director for the Division of Occupational Safety & Health in December 2014.

He was the DOSH Statewide Compliance Manager for DOSH since March 2012. The Compliance Program is responsible for all DOSH inspection-related activities.

Craig has been with L&I since 1991, starting in Seattle as an Industrial Hygienist in DOSH Compliance. After spending 3 years in the field, Craig took the position of Industrial Hygiene Supervisor in Region 4, working out of the Vancouver office. In July 2004 Craig was appointed to the Region 4 Compliance Manager position, which then became the DOSH Region 4 Compliance Manager in 2006.

Craig has Bachelor of Science degree in environmental and occupational safety and health from California State University at Northridge. Prior to working for L&I, he worked as an Industrial Hygienist for the Los Angeles Unified School District and as an Industrial Hygienist for a private consulting firm in Los Angeles.

 
Matthew Blua
WA State Potato Commission
Matthew Blua, PhD, is the Washington State Potato Commission Director of Industry Outreach. Dr. Blua, is a former University of California Research Scientist and farmer, and is currently producing a potato farm safety video.
 
Ofelio Borges
WA Dept. of Agriculture
Ofelio Borges currently works for the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) in the Pesticide Management Division as a Pesticide Safety Educator. As part of his current position, he supervises the Farmworker Education Program. Ofelio has developed and implemented several pesticide training curriculums including a Worker Protection Standard Train the Trainer program for the state of Washington, in which hundreds of trainers have been trained. Prior to working for WSDA, he worked as a farm manager, pesticide applicator and migrant farmworker. Ofelio also has extensive experience in safety issues related to agriculture.
 
Ernesto Carcamo
WA Dept. of Labor & Industries
Ernesto has earned a Bachelor’s in Medicine; a Master’s degree in Ergonomics, and he is a Certified Ergonomist (CPE), fluent in Spanish, with more than 10 years managing occupational health, safety, ergonomics and industrial hygiene programs in semiconductor, manufacturing, mining, government and service industries. I am currently focused on training workers and employers in health and safety. Ernesto has developed e- lessons in Hazard Communication with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS); Nanotechnology safety; Accident Prevention Program, and Ergonomics.
 
Wilma Cartagena
WA State Human Rights Commission
Wilma Cartagena: is a Civil Rights Investigator with the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC). She has been with the WSHR Commission for 9 and a half years, and her main focus is investigating discrimination complaints in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, credit, insurance and Whistleblower Retaliation (state employees). Ms. Cartagena has a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Masters Degree in Human Resources with emphasis in Employee Relations and Development. She is active in the community she works addressing social justice issues in the Latino/Hispanic Community. She is a member of the Eastern Washington University Advisory Board at the School of Public Service and also a Board Member of the North Central Washington Hispanic Chamber, among others. Ms. Cartagena is originally from Puerto Rico, and lived in Spokane for 15 years prior to her move to Wenatchee.
 
Sergio Cervantes
Washington State Patrol
Sergio has been a Washington State Trooper for 10 years. WSP "El Protector" Trooper, Hispanic/Bilingual.
 
Edgar Chavez
WA Dept. of Labor & Industries
Edgar Chavez is a DOSH Industrial Hygienist and currently works with the Hispanic Outreach Program at the Dept. of Labor & Industries. Edgar has been passionate about safety and health for a number of years and has focused the last year on improving the safety and health of workers in the agriculture industry.
 
Noel Chavez
Kyle Matheson Orchards
Noel Chavez is a third generation agriculture worker with 10+ years of experience in California and Washington. He is currently employed in the Wenatchee area as Food & Occupational Safety Manager for one of the area’s largest growers Kyle Mathison Orchards located on the Famous Stemilt Hill. Being born and raised among the industry he has seen that it is in need of safety trainings like todays. His vision is to improve the current Safety Culture we have in the Ag industry by developing and implementing better safety practices for all employees.
 
Garrett Corlis
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
My name is Garrett Corlis and I am currently a safety professional at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Safety and Health Management from Central Washington University. I have experience with construction, agricultural and manufacturing safety. I currently assist with presenting employee trainings on topics related to lockout/tagout, confined space, fall protection, mobile equipment and hazard identification. Safety is not an action; it is a lifestyle.
 
Corwyn Fischer
Washington State Farm Bureau
Corwyn Fischer is currently Director of Safety Services of the Retro/Safety Program for Washington Farm Bureau. Mr. Fischer grew up on a family farm of Apples, Cherries and Pears in the Wenatchee Valley. He has over 30 years of experience in the field of Occupational Safety and Health. Prior to coming to the WFB – He spent 7 years as a master pilot operating passenger vessels and barges on Lake Chelan. He has 17 plus years as an L&I S&H compliance inspector, S&H consultant and hearings officer with department of Labor & Industries and the last 16 years as Safety Director with WFB.
 
Fabiola Gonzalez
Dept. of Labor & Industries

Mrs. Gonzalez is the Hispanic Outreach Program Manager for the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. She has been working on promoting and conducting the WISHA 10 for Agriculture Workers and WISHA 10 for Agriculture Training of Trainers (TOT), and interactive participatory training for workers and employers in English and Spanish. Also, conducts occupational safety and health outreach throughout Washington State to raise worker awareness and increase responsiveness to their safety and health priorities. 

 

She has been with LNI for over 15 years working in occupational safety and health.

 

Her educational background includes a Master of Healthcare Administration from Chapman University. She holds B.A. in Sociology and Arts in Spanish Language and Cultures from Washington State University.   

 
Israel Gonzalez
OIC of Washington
Israel Gonzalez is the Lead Safety Trainer with OIC of Washington.
 
0Shamus Harmon
Employer Resources Northwest
Shamus Harmon has spent the last decade dedicated to safety, primarily in the food production and long term care industries. After earning his Masters in Occupational Safety and Health he took on several roles: developing and managing employee safety and workers' compensation programs, benefits, and human resources projects. Shamus has also led quality assurance teams to engage facilities in overall operational improvement. For the past five years Shamus has worked as a trainer, traveling to facilities to work with their staff on best practices in their environment.
 
Nathan Henyan
School Risk Solutions
Safety Consultant Nate Henyan honorably served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps where he was assigned to the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion and finished his enlistment as a machine gun section leader in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He is a commissioned police officer with over 17 years of experience in one of the largest police departments in Eastern Washington. He has served the citizens of his community as a patrol officer, detective and in his current assignment as a School Resource Officer at an alternative high school where he helps troubled youth. Nate has received formal training in Basic and Advanced Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, Security Assessments, FBI-LEEDA Leadership Training, YAHOO Internet Safety, Threat Assessment Team Training, Crime Scene Investigation, Homicide Investigation, and Active Shooter Response Training. He helped implement the Active Shooter response training which has since been adopted as the official active shooter response training in numerous districts around the State of Washington. Nate has trained over 1000 teachers, school employees, and administrators, in Active Shooter Response and has advised in general safety improvements for both public and private entities.
 
Tom Hoffmann
WA State Dept. of Agriculture

Tom was raised on a dairy, hog, and crop farm in Minnesota.  He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Agronomy and Soil Science and in Agricultural Education from the University of Minnesota.  He was also awarded a Master of Arts degree in Vocational and Technical Education from University of Minnesota as well as a Master of Science degree in Organization Development from Central Washington University.

 

Tom was an assistant production manager for a farm in southern Minnesota and for a seed farm in western Wisconsin.  He was also a WSU Area Extension Educator for 16 years, serving in Whitman, Lincoln, Adams, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties.

 

In 1998, Tom began his career with WSDA as the Technical Assistance Specialist and Statewide Program Coordinator for the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Chemigation and Fertigation Technical Assistance Program.  In 2016, he assumed duties as the Education and Outreach Services supervisor within the Technical Services and Education Program.  He is the department’s primary contact on soil fumigation and irrigation.  His duties also include the federal Worker Protection Standard.
 
0Gwen Hoheisel, M.S.
Washington State University
Gwen Hoheisel received her B.S. in Zoology from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Entomology focusing on IPM and Insect Diversity at Pennsylvania State University. Gwen now works for Washington State University extension with a focus on grapes and tree fruit. Currently she is focusing on sustainable pest management and application technologies.
 
Lisa Juarez-Sandifer
U.S. Dept. of Labor Wage Hour Division

U.S. Department of Labor Wage Hour Investigator Lisa Juarez-Sandifer will lead training on federal agricultural labor standards with a Q and A session to answer compliance questions. Ms. Juarez is a senior investigator with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage Hour Division (WHD) assigned to the Seattle District Office.

 
Jen Krenz
Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety & Health Center
Jennifer Krenz is a research scientist at the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health (PNASH) Center at the University of Washington. Her research projects include: Health and Safety of Forest Workers on the Olympic Peninsula, Risk Factors for Cholinesterase Depression Among Pesticide Handlers, Introducing a Cholinesterase Test Kit into Clinical Practice, Aggravating Factors of Asthma in a Rural Environment, Pilot: Risk Factors for Heat-related Illness in Ag Workers (2011-2013), Pilot: Assessing Agricultural Safety And Health Among Hmong Farmers, Reducing Agricultural Worker Risks through New and Emerging Technologies, Development of a Surveillance Strategy to Guide Injury Prevention Efforts in the Washington Commercial Fishing Industry, Pilot Study of Risk Factors for Heat-Related Illness in Agricultural Workers and Home Air In Agriculture - Pediatric Intervention (HAPI) Trial.
 
0Lorena Lopez
WA Dept. of Agriculture
 
Chris Lorenz
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
Chris Lorenz, Deputy Fire Marshal, FF/SWAT Medic: Chris has worked around machinery and heavy equipment since High School. He worked as a Floorhand on an oil platform for 7 years before embarking on his fire service career in 1998. Chris moved to Washington State and has been employed with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue since 2000. He serves as member of the Pierce County Law Enforcement/Fire Joint Training Consortium which has spearheaded the regional joint training & response to active shooter events for over a decade as well as other cooperative operational and training objectives. Teaching at local, regional, state, and federal levels. He has served as a SWAT Medic since 2004.
 
John McFadden
WA Dept. of Labor & Industries

John McFadden is the Eastern Region Consultation Manager in the Division of Occupational Safety and Health at the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).  Mr. McFadden began his career with the State of Washington as a Regional Consultation Supervisor in 1996. 

Prior to coming to L&I Mr. McFadden worked for Stone and Webster Engineering Corporation based out of Boston, MA as a Field Engineer and as an Industrial Hygienist and Manager of Industrial Hygiene and Safety for MAC Technical Services, a consulting firm based out of Golden, Colorado. 

 

Mr. McFadden holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Loss Control Management from Central Washington University and is a Board Certified Professional Environmental Auditor.

 
0Santiago Medina
Apollo Mechanical
 
Pablo Palmandez
PNASH Center
Pablo Palmández has been an Agricultural Specialist with the PNASH Center since 2007. Mr. Palmández works within the farm community, linking farmers and farmworkers and the PNASH’s agricultural research projects. Mr. Palmández combines his scientific, agricultural, and cultural background to provide leadership and education to the Yakima agricultural community.
 
Jaime Ramon
WA Dept. of Agriculture
Jaime Ramon worked in the Washington’s tree fruit industry for approximately 19 years where he conducted work related to the apple and cherry industry. Later he became a member of the Pesticide Management Division’s Farm Worker Education Program; he is a trainer in both, WSDA WPS Hands –on and WSDA WPS Train the Trainer workshops. In addition he works with the Pesticide Compliance Program conducting WPS inspections.
 
Raymundo Rivas
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

Raymundo Rivas has been a safety professional for nearly 15 years and is currently employed with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. He has over 20 years of experience in the agriculture and construction industries. Ray is the former Statewide Agriculture Safety Technical Specialist. His licenses and certification include but are not limited to -  Ives Forklift Instructor, ATV Instructor, Confined Spage and Lock Out Tag Out trainer. 

 
Mario Salcedo
Honeywell Industrial Safety Products

Mario Salcedo is the Regional Sales Manager for Honeywell Safety Products in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. He’s been with Honeywell Industrial Safety for ten years and five years as an Account Executive for British Petroleum. Mario educates end users and distributors on the proper use of general PPE: hand & arm protection, eye & face protection, hearing protection and more.  He’s currently involved with the voice of the customer for Honeywell Industrial Products. Where he discovers customer’s PPE needs, and works closely with Honeywell Product Managers to Invent, design, or re-engineers products.

Mario completes free safety analysis for customers to mitigate risk for the employer and employees. He assist companies to standardize, rationalize PPE products to reduce the customers cost. Mario provides his services to the following industries; Agricultural Product and Services, Heavy Construction, Metal Fabrication, Oil & Gas refining, Aviation & Component Services.
 
Flor Servin
Dept. of Agriculture
Flor Servin is a pesticide safety trainer for the Washington State Department of Agriculture. In addition, she helps her husband run their apple orchard. Flor identified the need for a hands-on Respirator Train the Trainer in Washington State. Thus, she worked with WSDA’s Ofelio Borges on developing a training curriculum that was successfully implemented through a pilot program conducted in collaboration with L&I in 2014. This workshop offers participants a hands-on opportunity to learn about respirator use requirements for agriculture, how to use, maintain and store respirators and how to properly perform a workplace fit test.
 
June Spector MD, MPH
UW Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety
• June Spector, MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (DEOHS) at the University of Washington. Dr. Spector received her MD from Yale University School of Medicine in 2005 and completed her Internal Medicine residency training at Hospital of the Assis University of Pennsylvania in 2008. Following an MPH in biostatistics and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins and occupational & environmental medicine fellowship training at the University of Washington, Dr. Spector joined the UW faculty in DEOHS and the Department of Medicine in 2012. She is the current Director of Occupational & Environmental Medicine at the University of Washington. Her research focuses primarily on health effects, including heat-related illness and injuries, of exposure to hot conditions in working populations, with an ultimate aim of preventing adverse health effects and improving biological adaptation to heat.
 
Jesus Valdovinos
WA Dept. of Labor & Industries

My name is Jesus Valdovinos I was born and raised in a small farming community located in Eastern Washington. From an early age, I worked with my father learning about agriculture most of the work was in row crops. This early exposure to the agriculture industry gave me the opportunity to observe the industry from various areas. I have worked for the Department of Labor and Industries for six years. I started my career with the Department as a Safety and Health Compliance Officer conducting inspections in several industries. A large part of those inspections involved the agriculture industry. My current position with the Department of Labor and Industries is Agricultural Technical Specialist I server as support for both compliance and consultation inspectors as well as serving the employees and employers of Washington State.

 
Ines Vazquez Basurto
OIC of Washington
Ines Vazquez Basurto is a Safety Trainer for OIC of Washington.
 
Albert Zepeda
Kyle Matheson Orchards
Mr. Zepeda is the Director of Human Resources and Payroll for Kyle Mathison Orchards in Wenatchee, WA. A graduate of Central Washington University, Mr. Zepeda’s first work in safety was while working in California for an employee leasing company that placed employees in various industries such as die-casting, manufacturing, and service. Over his career, he has held multiple positions where he has been responsible for worker safety. In his current position, he is responsible for guiding the safety focus and attitude of a large Washington State agricultural employer.