BUFFALO – The Western New York Safety Conference, a non-profit organization that promotes safety in the workplace through an annual conference, has announced its 2016 Safety Innovation Award recipients and Educational Achievement Award winners.

The WNY Safety Conference Safety Innovation Award recognizes companies that have improved worker safety and health by applying innovations in methodologies, leadership, employee involvement, safety committee effectiveness, change management or technology.

The Safety Conference Safety Innovation Award winner for 2016 is Vicki Owen from Parker Hannifin located in Lancaster. Owen presented a multi-faceted approach to workplace safety that included a regulatory requirements register, a problem solving methodology, safety alerts and first aid drills.

Alan Gross from Berry Plastics in Dunkirk was a Safety Innovation Award finalist. Gross spoke of a comprehensive approach to safety which included STOP audits, cross-functional safety team meetings, and ergonomic assessments.

Ken Jackson from DDS Companies in West Henrietta was also a Safety Innovation finalist. Jackson explained how post-offer, pre-employment tests are used in their organization.

Astronaut Captain Mark Kelly presented four Roger L. Palczewski Educational Achievement Awards, sponsored by Rosina Foods. The four winners were chosen from more than 100 applications and they will each receive a $1,500 scholarship. Achievement Awards went to Emily Cataldo from Eden Central, Marsella Neff from Immaculata Academy, AnnieMorgan Fleck from Lewiston Porter and Shannia Ball from Allegany-Limestone.

Since 1936, the Western New York Safety Conference has been held to promote, educate and advance the safety, health and environment for the employee, employer and the general public and to reduce injuries and illnesses in the Western New York area.