After you’ve been to enough safety conferences, you start to see the pattern. Agendas at these events are generally chosen to fit a specific theme, which is primarily explored through a concurrent series of expert presentations—individual presenters delivering 45–90-minute lectures on theme-appropriate topics. Panel discussions are usually a welcome change of pace. They provide a change of format from the rest of the conference sessions, they feel more like a conversation between a group of people than a prepared speech, and they tend to be less formal too. No wonder safety conference-goers like panel discussions so much.
Panels also give you the chance to hear differing opinions on a particular topic. High-level executives, subject matter experts and industry professionals with real-world experience are typically chosen to sit on panels, sharing the stage and providing their unique perspectives on a topic, dynamically shaping the session. And the diversity of thought doesn’t end on the stage. In addition to the multiple speakers on the panel providing several viewpoints on the topic to consider, you’re also likely to gain keen insights from the audience—greatly increasing your potential learning opportunities.
The moderator and panel members can include the audience either during the panel or toward the end of the discussion, heightening the engagement of the session. Standard safety conference sessions sometimes leave time at the end for Q&A but typically only a handful of questions are answered—panel discussions, meanwhile, tend to involve the audience more. Questions from the audience can spark new avenues for conversation between panelists, and inspire comments from the moderator. Attendees also have the opportunity to research the panelists’ backgrounds before attending the session, and this can help with understanding the knowledge and expertise behind the responses.
The best panel moderators ensure that the audience is fully involved in their session. The role of the moderator is to direct the flow and timing of the discussion while being conscious of the large group of people. They are neutral parties who have significant knowledge of the topic, can break the ice, ask good questions relevant to the topic, and ensure the panelists have enough time to communicate their opinions and expertise. With expert moderation, a panel can feel like a discussion you’re participating in rather than a rehearsed presentation.
The upcoming SafeStart Forum offers two different panels to choose, running concurrently. The carefully selected moderators and panel members represent the most qualified experts on each particular subject. Check out the full breakdown of the sessions, moderators and panelists below to get a better idea of what to expect as an attendee.
Human Factors in the Wild: A SafeStart Best Practices Panel
Companies implementing SafeStart are moving beyond a traditional compliance-based approach to safety by integrating human factors principles into their existing safety management systems. They recognize that improving safety performance isn’t just about adding another program—it’s about understanding how people interact with their environment, how decisions are made under pressure, and how everyday human factors influence risk.
However, sustaining a successful SafeStart implementation looks different for every organization. There is rarely a one-size-fits-all formula. The most valuable insights often come from those who have already taken the journey—the organizations that have tested different approaches, learned what worked, identified what didn’t, and adapted their strategies along the way.
SafeStart training helps organizations rely less on luck and more on skill by giving employees practical tools to recognize and manage the human factors that contribute to critical errors. But what if you could also have access to the lessons learned, proven approaches, and implementation strategies that trusted advisors and other organizations have already put into practice?
This panel discussion will provide a firsthand look at successful SafeStart implementations from a variety of perspectives, including both small and large sites. It will also provide insight into human factors for those who haven’t implemented SafeStart.
The moderator for this panel is SafeStart Vice President, Implementation Services Kelley Norris. Kelley has been successfully leading teams for over 35 years, including 28 years with SafeStart. She leads the consulting practice and the project management team, and is responsible for strategy, growth, and governance of the SafeStart Implementation Services department.
The panel will be made up of Senior Aerospace Executive Lloyd Barker, Printpack Director, Environmental, Health, & Safety Cari Field, Epiroc General Manager and Sr. Human Resources Manager Dana Gunderson and Epiroc Materials Manager Deniale Steffen.
Leading Through Human Factors: A SafeLead Best Practices Panel
Leaders play a critical role in shaping the direction of safety within an organization. As the strategists behind safety initiatives, they help influence decision-making and create the framework that guides future safety practices. Effective safety leadership is not just about developing policies or implementing procedures—it is about creating the conditions where people can work safely. A big part of that is recognizing the human factors in the workplace.
When is comes to best practices, proven approaches, tested strategies, and lessons learned from real-world experiences can provide a valuable roadmap for avoiding common challenges to build a stronger path forward. Leaders must first understand how to engage their people, reinforce expectations, and make human factors in safety a part of everyday conversations.
Just as SafeLead equips leaders with the skills needed to influence safety performance and strengthen their leadership approach, this interactive panel session will provide valuable insights from experienced SafeLead-trained professionals who have applied these principles in the field. Panelists will share their experiences, discuss implementation strategies, and highlight the practices that have helped them successfully integrate SafeLead concepts into their leadership approach.
This panel will be moderated by SafeLead Implementation Specialist Teena Blount. Teena has worked in the Environmental, Safety & Health industry in the surface mining sector for more than 25 years. She was the EH&S Manager to four locations and 15 mine sites across two states, Georgia & South Carolina, before joining the SafeStart consulting team in 2013. With extensive experience delivering SafeLead training and coaching leaders, she is widely regarded as one of the SafeLead’s leading consultants.
Among the leaders on this panel are Bray Safety Consulting Owner and Consultant Brad Bray, Benjamin Moore & Co Director of EHS Andrew Januseski, Printpack EHS Manager Matt Rayford, and SafeStart SafeLead Implementation Specialist Chris Ross.
The SafeStart Forum will take place October 20–21, 2026 in Franklin, TN. Registration is open and the Forum encourages attendees to come ready to participate, not only for the panel sessions but the entire conference. This interactive event will is unlike any other and having quality participants in the audience is one more benefit to attending with all attendees contributing their valuable insights and perspectives to sessions, networking and more. Please join us—we’d love to see you there!