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.
Upcoming Meeting Dates and Topics:
Wednesday July 9, 2025: Heath Stress Prevention and Treatment with Dr. Cody Klinker, Staff Physician/Family Medicine with OhioHealth.
Dr. Cody Klinker is a board-certified family medicine physician with OhioHealth, who will be starting in early September 2025, serving Van Wert, Rockford, and their surrounding communities. He also serves with OhioHealth Sports Medicine as Crestview Local School’s team physician. Klinker originally hails from Van Wert County and is a 2013 graduate of Crestview High School. He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with research distinction from The Ohio State University and his medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Dr. Klinker completed his family medicine residency at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.
Dr. Klinker has been recognized at the local, state, and national levels for his excellence in family medicine and service. He was the recipient of the 2025 Edward T. Bope Distinguished Service Award and the 2025 Ohio Academy of Family Physician Resident Leadership Award. Additionally, he was one of only 12 recipients nationally to receive the 2024 American Academy of Family Physicians GME Award of Excellence.
As a family physician, Dr. Klinker has multiple clinical interests including sports medicine, pediatric/adolescent care, adult/preventative care, men’s health, rural medicine, in-office procedures, advocacy, and community education/engagement. Per Dr. Klinker, “Ever since I knew I wanted to become a physician, my dream was always to return to my hometown of Van Wert to serve as a family doctor. I am excited to once again be an active member of the Van Wert community and share in what makes our community great. Thank you in advance for entrusting me with your care, as it is a great privilege”.
Wednesday August 13, 2025: Air Control and Pollution with Kara Reynolds, Environmental Specialist with the Ohio EPA.
Kara is an Environmental Specialist at the Ohio EPA in the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) in the Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC). SBEAP is a non-regulatory program within the Ohio EPA which provides free and confidential assistance to small businesses. Kara has worked for Ohio EPA out of the Northwest District Office located in Bowling Green, Ohio for over 20 years. Prior to her current position, Kara worked as a multi-media (hazardous waste, air pollution, surface water) environmental specialist in the Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention and was an inspector and permit writer in the Division of Air Pollution Control and the Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization. Kara has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Environmental Science from Ohio Northern University.
Wednesday September 10, 2025: Lockout/Tagout Procedures
Wednesday October 8, 2025: Fall Protection and Working at Heights
Wednesday November 12, 2025: Chemical Safety and Hazard Communication
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 Office
Wednesday April 8, 2026: Electrical Safety with Jim Mangas from Revolutionary Safety Services
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.