Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, hosted a Work Safe, Texas Summit in El Paso on September 19.
Texas Mutual hosts summits several times throughout the year in different cities as a way to share workplace safety and compliance information with employers and give them an opportunity to network with other business professionals in the area. Business owners and operations leaders were invited to attend the free, public event. Also invited to the Work Safe, Texas Summit in El Paso were representatives from each of the 11 colleges they partner with to attend as VIP guests.
The summit featured two panel discussions with Texas employers and subject matter experts moderated by Pat Niekamp, founder of Texas CEO Magazine. The first panel covered workplace safety and health programs and featured:
- Emily Knight, CEO, Texas Restaurant Association
- Rene Navarro, chief compliance office, Emergence Health Network
- Hector Paquian, director of risk management, Jobe Materials
The second panel focused on compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and featured:
- Abraham Arzola, compliance assistance specialist, OSHA El Paso Area Office
- Eric Bourquin, vice president of safety services, Texas Mutual
Following the panel discussions, attendees had the opportunity to ask the panelists questions during a Q&A session.
After the summit, Texas Mutual met with their college partners for a luncheon to network and discuss program updates and best practices. El Paso Community College (EPCC) Risk Management Institute was invited to present their best practices in promoting safety and educating businesses and their employees. The EPCC Risk Management Institute, thanks to a generous donation by Texas Mutual, was created to offer seminars on health and safety for employers, employees and the general public.
“Since 1999, we have provided support to several Texas colleges to help them create and enhance safety programs,” said Jeremiah Bentley, vice president of marketing and community affairs for Texas Mutual. “This year, a combined one million dollars went to schools offering safety classes to local employers, employees and the general public. We’re proud to partner with these colleges, and we appreciate their ongoing commitment to building a stronger, safer Texas.”
EPCC’s Risk Management Institute aims to reduce work-related fatalities, accidents, and injuries by changing participants’ long-term safety and health workplace habits. This purpose is accomplished through high quality training provided by industry practitioners and procured through partnerships with local, state, and national business and government entities. For more information about the El Paso Community College Risk Management Institute, call (915) 831-7130 or visit epcc.edu/Academics/ContinuingEducation/RiskManagementInstitute. For more information on Texas Mutual and its work in the community, visit texasmutual.com.
