47,000 Attend 12th Annual Hanford Health and Safety Expo
 
47,000 Attend 12th Annual Hanford Health and Safety Expo

The 12th Annual Hanford Health and Safety Exposition (EXPO 2006) was held on May 23-24, 2006, and it again enjoyed an increase in attendance with over 47,000 individuals from the northwest region of the country attending.
The Annual Hanford Health and Safety Exposition is an exhibition of information, equipment, supplies, and success stories that promote the health and safety of workers both at work and at home. EXPO is sponsored by the United States Department of Energy, Fluor Hanford, Inc., Washington Closure Group, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, CH2M HILL Hanford Group, Numatec Hanford Company, Fluor Hanford Safeguards & Security, Duratek Federal Services of Hanford, and AdvanceMed Hanford.

Over the past 12 years, the EXPO has demonstrated the value of safety and the impact it makes in employees' lives. EXPO provides an opportunity for employees to share safety and health successes and lessons learned with those from the surrounding communities including the local public and private school systems. With well over 100 exhibits at the EXPO, Hanford employees have an ample opportunity to share how they are improving safety and health performance at work and at home.

Vendors are also included in the show, providing exhibits and demonstrating their safety- and health-related products and equipment. The local police and fire departments offer vehicle driving and bicycling safety information and police-dog demonstrations.

A few of the companies and organizations sponsoring the EXPO by providing funds, special products, or services included:


Fox TV

Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners

State Farm Insurance

Washington State Highway Patrol

Benton County Sheriff's Office

Franklin County Police

Kennewick Police Department

Richland Police Department

Richland Fire Department

Tri-City Herald

Those interested in more information on the Hanford Safety and Health EXPO can access a web video at: http://www.hanford.gov/rl/?page=150&parent=63
Hanford Health and Safety Expo History

The idea for a Health and Safety Exposition (EXPO) was conceived at Hanford in 1994 during an Accident Prevention Council meeting at the Hanford Site. Employees wanted a way to share safety programs, materials, and successes among all the companies and projects at Hanford. A team of high-energy volunteers was formed to make this happen, and the first EXPO was held in May, 1995, at the Benton-Franklin Fairgrounds in Kennewick, Washington.

The first Safety EXPO had 3,500 in attendance, which the team felt was a roaring success. In 1996, EXPO expanded from just Hanford employees to the general public. The site made a special effort to invite schools to the EXPO. Each subsequent year, the EXPO Team continued to reach out to the public and has tried to pull in more and more interest and participation from the community. In 1997, EXPO had become so popular it was moved to the Trade Recreation Agriculture and Recreational (TRAC) facility in Pasco and over 10,000 people attended. Over the past several years, over 35,000 attended Hanford EXPO, with attendance increasing each year.

Since the beginning of EXPO, the most successful and popular feature has been a simulated Vehicle Accident Demonstration (VAD) that is geared toward eliminating accidents caused by driving under the influence (DUI). The State of Washington and private businesses within the local community have been extremely supportive of this event. As a result of the VAD, which has become the trademark of EXPO, an interactive CD was developed to be used by high school driver’s education students in an effort to reduce DUI. The CD was developed from special funding by Fluor Hanford, Department of Energy, State Farm Insurance, and Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners organization.