by Jessica Gillette | Aug 20, 2026
SAFETY LUNCH & STEP AWARDS: BEYOND THE HARD HAT — EXPLORING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAFETY, WELL-BEING AND WORKFORCE SUCCESS
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 11:00AM – 2:00PM
Safety is more than what happens on the jobsite.
A strong safety culture goes beyond PPE, training, and compliance. It also means understanding the people behind the hard hats—and recognizing the personal, mental, and emotional challenges that can affect their well-being, engagement, and ability to stay safe.
Join ABC Virginia for the 2026 Safety Luncheon & STEP Awards: Beyond the Hard Hat for an engaging conversation about how supporting the whole person can strengthen your safety culture, your workforce, and your organization.
Featured Speaker
Jared Elmquist, Vice President of Field Development, Corporate Chaplains of America
Jared Elmquist works with business leaders across the country to help organizations support their people and strengthen workplace culture. He began his career in construction and residential HVAC, working his way through college before spending a decade working alongside farmers and ranchers. These experiences gave him a firsthand appreciation for the people who perform demanding work every day and the challenges they face both on and off the job.
Today, Jared draws on that experience to help leaders address employee well-being, mental health, workforce engagement, and organizational success. He brings a practical, people-centered perspective to conversations about creating workplaces where employees feel supported and have trusted resources when life gets difficult.
What you’ll take away:
Gain a new perspective on workplace safety.
Explore the connection between employee well-being, mental health, workforce engagement, and safety—and why what happens off the job can have a real impact on the jobsite.
Walk away with practical insights.
Hear real-world stories and strategies for recognizing challenges employees may be facing and creating a workplace where people feel supported and connected.
Strengthen your safety culture.
Consider how your organization can move beyond compliance toward a culture where safety means genuinely caring for the people who make your work possible.
Connect with construction leaders and safety professionals.
Share ideas, experiences, and best practices with peers who are working toward safer jobsites and stronger teams.
STEP Awards: Celebrating Members Who Put Safety First
The luncheon will culminate in the presentation of the 2026 STEP Awards, honoring companies that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to safety through ABC’s STEP Safety Management System. The STEP Awards recognize contractors who go above and beyond to build strong, proactive safety cultures—setting a higher standard for safety performance across Virginia’s construction industry.
Learn More About STEP
Interested in strengthening your company’s safety program or pursuing STEP recognition? Learn more about ABC’s STEP Safety Management System or email Rob Camlin.
SPECIAL NOTE: only ABC-VA members from the Hampton Roads region will be recognized during the STEP awards. Northern VA and Central VA STEP recipients are recognized at their respective ceremonies.
Agenda
11:00 AM — Check-in & Networking
11:30 AM — Lunch
12:00–1:30 PM — Presentation & STEP Awards
1:30 PM — Networking/Departure
Showcase YOUR Safety
Safety Showcase Sponsor $500 — includes vendor display table, two (2) registrations, opportunity to distribute promotional materials, logo/name on marketing materials
Select during online registration or email Meredith Strahan to sponsor!
Sponsors
Additional Details
LOCATION
Chesapeake Conference Center
700 Conference Center Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320
COST
Members Early Bird – $60
Members (starting 10/19) – $80
Non-Members Early Bird – $100
Non-Members (starting 10/19) – $125
SUBSTITUTION/CANCELLATION POLICY
Substitutions are welcome at any time if the originally registered individual(s) can no longer attend. Please note: a reservation constitutes a financial commitment unless cancellations are made 48 hours in advance.
Questions?
Contact Meredith Strahan
by Jessica Gillette | Aug 5, 2026
LIFT TRUCK TRAINER
REGISTER HERE
Offered by Mid Atlantic OTI Education Center, this course will be held at ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility, Host Training Organization
October 23, 2026 | 8:00AM – 4:00PM
This OSHA compliant, comprehensive program covers every aspect of lift truck training and any operator, at every level of experience will benefit from the course.
Course covers:
- OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Standard
- 1910.178 and 1926.602 compliance
- How to evaluate operators’ performance
- How to educate nonoperators about working safely around powered industrial trucks
- How to teach safe procedures and maintenance
The provided lift truck operator program includes 7 interrelated but independent instructional modules that can be taught in any order.
- OSHA Regulations
- LiftTruck Design and Operating Principles
- Pre-Shift Safety Inspection & Preventive Maintenance
- Worksite Inspections
- Pick Up a Load
- Deliver a Load
- Apply Lift Truck Operator Safety Skills
Trainer guide includes:
- Easy-to-follow facilitator guide with electronic presentation that lets course leaders engage and involve participants through all 7 instructional modules
- High-definition videos of real-life working conditions and operator frontline perspectives
- Detailed animations that further illustrate course topics
- Module exams
- Final exam
- 7 Instructional Modules
Prerequisite: None. Knowledge of lift truck/forklift operation recommended.
Course Includes: Trainer materials, lunch and refreshments
LOCATION
ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility
42680 Trade West Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
COST
Members — $675
Non-Members — $775
SCHEDULE
Please visit CRSC registration link above
by Jessica Gillette | Aug 5, 2026
OSHA 502 – UPDATE FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OUTREACH TRAINERS
REGISTER HERE
Offered by Mid Atlantic OTI Education Center, this course will be held at ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility, Host Training Organization
December 7 – 9, 2026 | 8:00AM – 4:00PM
This course is designed for Outreach Training Program trainers who have completed OSHA #500 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry and are authorized trainers in the OSHA Outreach Training Program. The course provides an update on OSHA Construction Standards, policies, and regulations. Upon course completion students will have the ability to demonstrate continued professional development in their field by applying effective adult learning principles and interactive training techniques to clearly identify, define, and explain construction industry hazards and acceptable corrective measures as they continue to teach the 10- and 30-hour Construction Outreach Training Program classes.
Course Includes:
- Student binder
- OSHA CFR 1926 Construction Regulations Book,
- Lunch and refreshments for in-person classes,
- Electronic Resources including:PowerPoint Presentation
- Video clips
- Test Questions
- Additional resource information
Prerequisite Information:
OSHA #500 Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry authorized Outreach Training Program trainers are required to attend this course once every four years (4) to maintain their trainer status. Prior to registration, students must provide a copy of their current Outreach Training Program trainer card or an official transcript from the respective OSHA Training Institute Education Center to verify Outreach Training Program trainer authorized status. Please note: Copies of Course Certificates will not be accepted as proof of successful completion.
Prerequisite Verification Form:
A completed Prerequisite Verification Form (PVF) is required to be submitted as part of the registration process. The completed PVF should be sent to info@oshamidatlantic.org.
Registration for courses requiring a Prerequisite Verification Form (PVF) is not confirmed until the PVF is approved. Forms must be submitted by the close of business, at least two weeks prior to the course start date. Late submissions may be accepted at MAOTIEC’s discretion.
LOCATION
ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility
42680 Trade West Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
COST
$795
SCHEDULE
Please visit CRSC registration link above
by Jessica Gillette | Aug 5, 2026
RIGGER & SIGNAL PERSON TRAINER
REGISTER HERE
Offered by Mid Atlantic OTI Education Center, this course will be held at ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility, Host Training Organization
December 10 – 11, 2026 | 8:00AM – 4:00PM
Participants will learn to prevent incidents that result in property damage, injury, and death, related to the rigging and signal-person duties of operation of cranes when used in construction, demolition, and maintenance. This 2 day training is for individuals who work under the supervision of a competent person and on a routine basis perform rigging work engaged in lifting loads other than rigging for special lifts, or the erection, dismantling, jumping or reconfiguring of cranes or all of these. This person is also trained to communicate guidance and direction to a crane operator in lifting, hoisting, moving, or releasing a load.
Upon completion of this course, employees shall be able to demonstrate specific knowledge of the following:
- Hand, voice and radio communications
- Proficiency in hand and verbal signals, including the standard method for hand signals as required by ASME B30.3-2004, ASME B30.5-2007 and ASME B30.6-2003
- Rigging hardware, including hooks and similar attaching devices, shackles, clips, clamps and taglines
- Synthetic/wire rope slings
- Common load configurations and positioning
- Personal fall protection methods
- Emergency procedures
- Hazards and restrictions associated with working adjacent to overhead electric lines and equipment.
Course Includes: Full training kit, rigging handbook, electronic resources, lunch and refreshments.
Full training kit – wire rope sling, wire rope clips, fist grips, grade 70 transport chain, grade 80 alloy chain, shackle, eye hook, wire rope with lay removed, damage wire, & turnbuckle with equipment bag.
LOCATION
ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility
42680 Trade West Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
COST
Member — $895
Non-Member — $1,095
SCHEDULE
Please visit CRSC registration link above
by Jessica Gillette | Aug 5, 2026
OSHA 500 – TRAINER COURSE IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
REGISTER HERE
Offered by Mid Atlantic OTI Education Center, this course will be held at ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility, Host Training Organization
December 14 – 17, 2026 | 8:00AM – 4:00PM
This course is designed for individuals interested in teaching the 10- and 30-hour construction safety and health Outreach Training Program to their employees and other interested groups. Using OSHA Construction Standards as a guide, special emphasis is placed on those topics required in the 10- and 30-hour programs as well as those which are most hazardous. Students are briefed on effective instructional approaches and use of visual aids and handouts. This course allows the student to become a trainer in the OSHA Outreach Training Program, to conduct both 10- and 30-hour Construction Outreach classes, and to issue cards to participants after verifying course completion. Students who wish to participate as authorized Outreach trainers in the OSHA Outreach Training Program must prepare a presentation on an assigned OSHA Construction Outreach Training Program topic individually or as part of a group and successfully pass a written exam at the end of the course.
Topics include:
- Safety and Health Programs
- Fall Protection
- Stairways/Ladders
- Scaffolds
- Fire Protection
- Motor Vehicles
- Welding & Cutting
- Health Hazards
- PPE
- Electrical Standards
- Hand and Power Tools
- Concrete and Masonry
- Cranes, Derricks, Hoists
- Material Handling
- Excavation
- Confined Spaces
- General Safety and Health Provisions
- Demolition
- Steel Erection
- Outreach Training Program Requirements
- Training Techniques
Prerequisites: Students must successfully complete the OSHA #510 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction and have five (5) years of safety and health work experience in the construction industry. A degree in occupational safety and health, a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) designation may be substituted for two (2) years of work related experience. Students should obtain guidance on whether they meet this requirement from the OSHA Training Institute Education Center where they intend to receive the training. Authorized OSHA Outreach Training Program trainers are required to attend OSHA #502 Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers at least once every four (4) years to maintain their trainer status.
Industry OSHA Standards courses (#510, #511, and #5410) must be completed not later than seven (7) years prior to completing the relevant Industry Trainer course (#500, #501, and #5400).
The Prerequisite Verification Form is required to complete the registration process. Click this link Prerequisite Verification Form print and send the documentation to our office via email to info@oshamidatlantic.org or fax 410-281-1350.
Registration for courses requiring a Prerequisite Verification Form (PVF)—including OSHA #500, #501, #502, #503, #5400, and #5402—is not confirmed until the PVF is approved. Forms must be submitted by the close of business on the Tuesday one week before the course starts. Late submissions may be accepted at MAOTIEC’s discretion.
Those currently enrolled in or who have completed OSHA #510, #511, or #5410 are encouraged to submit their PVF promptly.
Course Includes: Student binder, OSHA CFR 1926, USB which includes:
- PowerPoint Presentation
- Video clips
- Test Questions
- Additional resource information
Contact Hours: 26
LOCATION
ABC-VA Northern Virginia Training Facility
42680 Trade West Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
COST
$845
SCHEDULE
Please visit CRSC registration link above
