Industry Leading Best Practices, Networking and Professional Development
The Ohio West Safety Council is sponsored by the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation and Eastman & Smith, Ltd. Attorneys at Law and is open to all area businesses, is an initiative of the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce designed to increase safety awareness, and to give businesses a potential cost savings benefit on their Workers’ Compensation rates. Held in collaboration with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the program aims to provide a forum for safety and health information, education and networking in local communities. Program topics must be classified under occupational safety & health, risk management, workers’ compensation, BWC services, rehabilitation or environmental issues.
The Ohio West Safety Council currently meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 8:00am-9:30am at Vantage Career Center with breakfast included. Each meeting will feature a update from the Ohio BWC, our sponsor Eastman & Smith, Ltd. Attorney's At Law, followed by our featured speaker. A steering committee made up of safety professionals from various local employers and a representative from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will guide the program development.
Meeting Dates and Topics:
Date: Wednesday, October 14th 2026
Topic: Psychological Safety and Mental Health in the Workplace
Presenter: Jane Schmid
Jane Schmid is employed by Westwood Behavioral Health Center as the Recovery Court Coordinator and IOP Coordinator. Recovery Court is overseen by the common pleas court judge for defendants who have Substance Use Disorders and are facing felony charges. IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) is a 16-week evidenced-based group therapy for those who have been diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders and referred to this intense level of care. Prior to Westwood, Jane worked as Workforce Development Manager with Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation. Prior to that, she was in the manufacturing sector, in health and safety and human resources. She also owned and operated a safety consulting business, providing OSHA-compliant employee training and written policy development for all sectors.
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Date: Wednesday, November 11th 2026
Topic: Using AI to Create Safety Workplans and Programs
Presenter: Kip Gochenour
Kip Gochenour has worked at Paragon Glass, a glass fabrication and tempering factory for 16 years. Eleven years as a maintenance tech. He has also worked at General Motors Defiance for 29 years - 24 as a journeyman millwright, and 10 as a Union Safety Representative.
He has been married for 44 years and has a son and daughter. His son is married with 2 beautiful daughters. His daughter is autistic and lives in his rental with two other similar ladies.
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Date: Wednesday, December 9th 2026
Topic: Slip Trip and Fall Prevention
Presentor: Brian Basbagill
More information will be available at a later time.
Membership includes:
- A scheduled monthly safety meeting
- Breakfast for up to two attendees
- Take-Away Safety Information from each meeting
- Updates on the latest BWC programs
- Opportunity to speak with a BWC regional representative at each meeting
- Opportunity to network with other local companies
- Earn a 3% discount on your workers compensation insurance by attending 10 safety council meetings
For additional information about the Ohio West Safety Council or to register for the upcoming Safety Council program, please see the links located above, email the chamber at chamber@vanwertchamber.com or call us at (419) 238-4390.