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:
Wednesday November 12, 2025: Confined Spaces with Brain Basbagill
Brian is a Certified Safety Professional® (CSP) with more than 25 years of construction and manufacturing safety experience. In addition to his 16 years of safety consulting experience, Brian worked in manufacturing as a Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) leader and performed various safety roles supporting construction.
For the last 10 years, Brian has been developing equipment-specific lockout/tagout procedures for various industries including food processing facilities, hospital campus, auto parts manufacturing, and even electrical power generation. Brian has developed and led teams of personnel to assess equipment and develop written lockout/tagout procedures.
He has trained hundreds of employees and supervisors to implement the LOTO process
and conducts facility audits of the LOTO program for clients. He also provides coaching and training for program managers who oversee and build their company’s LOTO program.
Brian also has extensive experience supporting clients with confined space entry. We have documented more than a thousand confined space assessments. Brian has
provided training for employees entering permit required confined spaces including the permit system, roles of attendants and entry supervisors, and hands-on experience with various mechanical rescue systems. Brian presents annual program manager
workshops, hosted by Safex, to identify equipment resource planning and guidance to develop a complete confined space safety program.
Since 1997, Brian has followed his passion for working with employees to identify hazards
in their work environment and processes, and evaluate and identify control measures to eliminate or reduce risk to workers. He takes pride in explaining how hazards may impact an employee and why controls, training, procedures, and behaviors are critical to making the workplace safe.
Brian is an OSHA-authorized instructor for 10-Hour and 30-Hour Construction Safety and Health training. As a Senior Consultant at Safex, Brian is the lead instructor for several safety courses presented monthly at Safex.
Brian has presented various topics for local trade associations, Safety Councils, and at the Ohio Safety Congress. He is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals
and has a B.S. in Safety Sciences from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Wednesday December 10, 2025: Winter Slip and Fall Prevention
Wednesday January 14, 2026: Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures
Wednesday February 11, 2026: Ergonomics
Wednesday March 11, 2026: Active Shooter Preparedness with Detective Nathan Huebner from the Van Wert County Sheriff's Office and Detective Sergeant Brock Blackmore form the Van Wert City Police Department
Wednesday April 8, 2026: Culture Driven Safety: Leading from the Inside Out with Jim Mangas from Revolutionary Safety Services
In this session, we will discuss how a strong, values-based safety culture is the foundation of lasting safety performance. Participants will learn how leadership behavior, employee engagement, and shared accountability drive safer outcomes—beyond just compliance. This talk will challenge attendees to rethink how culture influences every safety decision and inspire practical steps to build a workplace where safety is owned by everyone.
Jim Mangas is the CEO and Founder of Revolutionary Safety Services LLC, based in Anna, Ohio. He holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Occupational Health and Safety from Columbia Southern University and is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). With over 25 years of experience across multiple industries, Jim is dedicated to helping organizations reduce risk, strengthen safety culture, and protect their most valuable asset—their people. His hands-on leadership and commitment to practical, effective solutions have made Revolutionary Safety Services a trusted partner for businesses nationwide.
Wednesday May 13, 2026: Transportation and Fleet Safety
Wednesday June 10, 2026: Safety Leadership with Chazz Rogers, Sr. SEH Manager from Danfoss
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.