Thank you to all of our speakers and attendees who attended EHS 2023!
Call for speakers open! Click on Speaker Info tab for details!
*scroll down to review schedule with track titles and sessions in each track by day. This will be updated regularly once speakers and sessions are confirmed.
For questions, contact:
Paula Lerash, CEM
Director of Education & Exhibits
Email: lerash@texaschemistry.org
Direct: (512) 646-6404
LEADERSHIP TRACK
June 2025
June 2, 2025
8:30AM - 9:30AM
General Session: The Ownership Mindset - Turning Paycheck Players Into Top Performers
Kerry Siggins, Author and Speaker
Room: Galleon I & II
In this inspiring keynote, Kerry Siggins shares how she led her $100M company in making a dramatic shift in mentality from an employee mindset to an ownership mindset. She walks you through the step-by-step process she used to create an incredible culture of responsibility and accountability, where employees are self-motivated to do whatever it takes to solve challenging customer problems and be great teammates to one another.
You will leave with a deep understanding of The Ownership Mindset and actionable takeaways they can implement today, whether they are first-time managers or seasoned executives.
THE FUTURE OF PROCESS SAFETY TRACK
None at this time.
SUSTAINABILITY TRACK
June 2025
June 2, 2025
9:45AM - 10:45AM
The Role of Life Cycle Assessments in Understanding Systems-Level Sustainability
Rachel Meidl, LP.D., MEPM, M.Ed, CHMM, Rice University
Galveston Island Convention Center: Harbor Room
Sustainability is a life cycle balancing act across the three vectors of environment, society, and economy. Achieving sustainability requires a systems-level approach that considers a broad array of factors across these vectors, which spans into global supply chains, and assesses how they interact. To more precisely understand the sustainability profiles of energy technologies or advanced materials, for example, and to uncover potential risks, uncertainties, and unintended consequences, it is vital that life cycle assessments are consistently employed.
June 2, 2025
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Sustainability Reporting
Nathan Pepper, Veolia
Galveston Island Convention Center: Harbor Room
More than 90% of publicly traded companies report their sustainability performance, and new regulation by the SEC, EU and State of California may make sustainability reporting mandatory for both public and private companies. Research shows that sustainability is a major factor in attracting talent and retaining customers, despite public backlash against ESG investing.
This dynamic environment can make it hard for companies to plan their sustainability projects or capital investments. In this practical session you will get an update on upcoming sustainability reporting requirements, identify greenwashing and greenhushing risks, and hear about practical ways operating sites can take steps to became more transparent and sustainable and prepare for more rigorous reporting in the future.
June 2, 2025
1:45PM - 2:45PM
The People Plan: A Sustainable Solution to Water Bottle Recycling
Richard Bass, Kuraray and Monica Beynaerts, Coastal Ice
Galveston Island Convention Center: Harbor Room
In today's world, sustainability is not just a goal, but a necessity. The People Plan, a collaborative initiative between Coastal Ice & Water and Kuraray, offers an innovative approach to water bottle recycling with a clear focus on environmental responsibility and workforce development. This program integrates safety and hydration with a sustainability framework that emphasizes the circular economy. By collecting, consolidating, and weighing used water bottles, the plan ensures the efficient shipment and tracking of materials to repurposing mills, where they are transformed into new bottles.
LEADERSHIP OPENING SESSION
None at this time.
SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARDS: BEST PRACTICES TRACK
None at this time.
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE TRACK (Track Sponsored by JK, Inc.)
None at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL TRACK: AIR (Track Sponsored by OxyChem)
None at this time.
PROCESS SAFETY TRACK TRACK
June 2025
June 3, 2025
9:15AM - 10:15AM
HON/SOCMI NSPS RTR Pressure Relief Devices (PRD) Requirements
Glynda Thompson & Lauren Mercer, Trinity Consultants
Room: Galleon III
This session will be is a combined session for both our Process Safety and Air Tracks:
This session is for personnel charged with complying with the new HON compliance provisions. In this session, the impact of the removal of SSM Provisions on pressure relief valves (PRVs) designed to vent to atmosphere will be discussed. Subtopics include an overview of new PRV release monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, the new work practice standard to conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement redundant control measures to prevent releases, and the requirement to conduct root cause analyses after individual release events.
June 3, 2025
10:30AM - 11:30AM
Incorporating RMP requirements into TV Permits
Meagan Bowman, ExxonMobil
Room: Galleon III
This session will be is a combined session for both our Process Safety and Air Tracks. Description coming soon!
INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES TRACK
June 2025
June 4, 2025
9:45AM - 10:45AM
Mobile Rounds: Innovative Programs to Enhance Operator's Knowledge and Safety Performance
Gloria Blanco and Michael Quave, GoodYear
Room: Galleon I & II
In this session we will recognize how operational discipline is a key component of operational excellence and can significantly impact process and personal safety. Operational discipline is the practice of consistently following well-defined processes to accomplish tasks; it’s a constructive mindset that emphasizes proactive decision-making and actions; operational discipline can help create a strong foundation for operational excellence and improve safety performance by:
Providing a more organized way to accomplish tasks, Improving the execution of work practices, Fostering a positive and proactive approach, Emphasizing conscientious decision-making and actions and Reinforcing a company’s desire for a strong safety culture.
June 4, 2025
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Lessons from the Flight Deck
Patrick Browne, Flight Deck Safety Initiatives
Room: Galleon I & II
This course draws on hard-earned lessons from commercial and military aviation flight-decks to provide valuable insights and best practices for professionals in high-risk industries. By sharing these experiences, we aim to help prevent costly and potentially dangerous mistakes, fostering safer and more effective operations in your field.
PROCESS SAFETY FOR LEADERS TRACK
June 2025
June 4, 2025
Mobile Rounds: Innovative Programs to Enhance Operator's Knowledge and Safety Performance
Gloria Blanco and Michael Quave, GoodYear
Rom: Galleon III
In this session we will recognize how operational discipline is a key component of operational excellence and can significantly impact process and personal safety. Operational discipline is the practice of consistently following well-defined processes to accomplish tasks; it’s a constructive mindset that emphasizes proactive decision-making and actions; operational discipline can help create a strong foundation for operational excellence and improve safety performance by:
Providing a more organized way to accomplish tasks, Improving the execution of work practices, Fostering a positive and proactive approach, Emphasizing conscientious decision-making and actions and Reinforcing a company’s desire for a strong safety culture.
ENVIRONMENTAL TRACK : WATER & WASTE
June 2025
June 4, 2025
9:45AM - 10:45AM
CWA Hazardous Substances FRP Rule
Cody Fridley, All4
Harbor Room
In this session we will present on the Clean Water Act (CWA) Worst Case Discharge Planning regulations/Facility Response Plan (FRP) rule. We will review what facilities should consider in determining whether or not they meet the applicability criteria, and, if so, what next steps they should take to meet the June 1, 2027 compliance deadline. We will also highlight components of the rule where further EPA guidance is anticipated for implementation.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE & SECURITY
None at this time.
LEADERSHIP SESSION
None at this time.
EHS LEADERSHIP OPENING SESSION
None at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL HOT TOPICS TRACK (Track Sponsored by BGE)
None at this time.
ADVANCED PROCESS SAFETY TRACK
June 5, 2025
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Human Factors Analysis as a Tool for Enhancing Human Performance and Reducing Risk
David Wilbur, Vetergy
Room: Galleon III
In this session we will discuss the application of human factors analysis (HFA) to identify and mitigate performance-related risks in complex systems. Attendees will learn to use the HFA method as a tool to improve human performance by addressing both active errors and latent conditions, and will apply these principles through a realistic case study, focusing on improving safety and operational resilience.
June 5, 2025
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Conducting RAGAGEP Gap Analysis
Madonna Breen, PSRG
Room: Galleon III
Session description coming soon!
AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL TRACK
None at this time.
PLANT MANAGER ROUND TABLE (Plant Managers Only)
None at this time.