Pittsburgh, Pa., — Rising energy costs and the anthrax scare are two of the more significant external factors to affect businesses in 2001. Smart printers reduced their energy and operating costs as well as pollution through general pollution prevention programs. Other successful printers implemented plant and product security measures to reassure customers regarding anthrax contamination. To help graphic communications businesses manage such unexpected challenges that are increasingly termed environmental, safety, and health (EHS) issues, five industry organizations have partnered to sponsor the seventh annual National Environmental, Health and Safety Conference (NEH&S) for the Graphic Communications Industries. Being held March 17–19, 2002 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, the NEH&S Conference is the only national event designed for those responsible for environmental health and safety compliance, regardless of printing processes (lithography, flexography, gravure, and screen printing). One of the most beneficial features of the conference is that attendees learn proven, effective strategies from the industry’s best EHS experts. "Crises such as clients and the public mistaking anti-setoff powder residue found on printed material for the highly publicized white powder found in several letters containing anthrax spores should be viewed as an opportunity to reflect upon what we’ve learned," says Jim Kyger. Director of human relations for Printing Industries of America, Kyger will present a session entitled "Plant Security: Addressing Employee & Customer Concerns for a Safe Product & Environment." He says, "Having a disaster plan in place for quick response is crucial." In regards to reducing energy cost through pollution prevention programs, attendees will hear actual steps other printers have used to achieve pollution prevention with regard to graphic arts operations. Other breakout sessions, 20 in all, will address how to conduct an environmental assessment, inks and cleaning solvents, TRI reporting requirements, air emissions calculations, air issues, and general pollution prevention. Safety topics include safety in the pressroom, ergonomics, inks/solvents flammability, machine guarding, and OSHA assessment and metrics. One notable session will focus on the new record keeping standard for injuries and illnesses issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that will affect all printers. While some sessions are tailored to specific printing processes, others are designed for all types of printers. Beyond these valuable issue updates, printers can also take advantage of hands-on activities, networking functions, certified training opportunities, and more. Attendees will be able to fulfill mandatory training requirements for the Department of Transportation (DOT), Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA), and Hazmat Training. Offered as pre-conference sessions, the training courses are tailored to the needs of the graphic communications industries. The conference will be moderated by Eric Henry, president of TS Designs, Inc., a textile screen printing facility in Burlington, North Carolina. He is also serving as the current chairman of the board for the Screenprinting & Graphic Imaging Association International. In 1994, TS Designs won the North Carolina Governor’s Award of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement in Waste Reduction. TS Design has also received state grants for the development of pollution prevention technologies, and is committed to developing new, environmentally favorable ways of doing business. TS Design is an excellent example of what can be accomplished if top management is committed to EHS issues, but often employees and those responsible for EHS issues have trouble justifying the time and resources expended on such programs. In a useful and practical general session, Ann O’Brien of Quebecor World will teach how to sell management on the value of EHS and provide background on how a corporate commitment to EHS saves rather than costs money. With over 350 attendees in 2001, the NEH&S Conference is the largest industry event of its kind. It is a combined effort of five organizations: Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF), Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association (FFTA), Gravure Association of America (GAA), the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM), and the Screenprinting and Graphic Imaging Association International (SGIA). Many additional groups ranging from local printing associations to national specialty institutions are expected to support the conference. Members of sponsoring organizations qualify for a $200 discount; registration for nonmembers is $695. Registrants from plants with 1-20 employees are eligible for a special small printers reduced registration rate of $250. To register, contact GATF by phoning 800/910-GATF ext. 200.