The Long Beach Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) reached a historic milestone in January 2026, setting an all-time chapter record for registration at a single Education and Networking event.

With 105 registered attendees, the January 15, 2026 session marked the highest registration total in the chapter’s history—a remarkable achievement for a chapter that has been continuously serving safety professionals since 1991.

This milestone reflects more than strong interest in a single topic. It highlights the chapter’s sustained commitment to delivering relevant, high-quality educational programming and creating meaningful opportunities for professional connection.

Leadership That Resonates

The record-setting event features Luis A. Ortiz, Past President of the Long Beach Chapter (2024–2025), presenting OSHA Recordkeeping Essentials: Navigating 300 Logs, 300A Posting, and the Injury Tracking Application (ITA). The topic addressed one of the most critical—and frequently misunderstood—areas of OSHA compliance, drawing broad interest from safety professionals, managers, HR personnel, and supervisors across industries.

Luis’s ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, usable guidance resonates strongly with attendees. His leadership, expertise, and credibility as an OSHA instructor and safety professional were key contributors to the unprecedented turnout.

A Chapter Built on Excellence

Since its founding in 1991, the Long Beach ASSP Chapter has built a reputation for strong leadership, practical education, and a welcoming professional community. Reaching a record 105 registrations is a testament to the chapter’s momentum, the strength of its programming, and the dedication of its volunteer leaders.

This achievement also underscores the value of monthly Education and Networking sessions—not only as learning opportunities, but as vital spaces for connection, mentorship, and professional growth.

Congratulations to the Chapter

Congratulations to the Long Beach ASSP Chapter, its leadership team, and Luis Ortiz for setting a new benchmark for engagement and impact. This milestone reflects the chapter’s ongoing influence within the safety profession and its continued role as a model for chapter excellence.

Here’s to raising the bar—and then breaking it again.

The Long Beach Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) is proud to announce that two of its leaders have been selected to present at upcoming regional professional development conferences—an honor that reflects both individual expertise and the strength of the chapter as a whole.

Bakersfield ASSP Professional Development Symposium

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Luis Ortiz, Past President of the Long Beach ASSP Chapter, will serve as a featured speaker at the 2026 Bakersfield ASSP Professional Development Symposium. Luis will be making an unprecedented two breakout sessions! His first session, From Heroes to Systems: Transitioning From Individual Safety Ownership to the ANSI/ASSP Z10.0 Safety Management System Standard, tackles one of the most important shifts facing the safety profession today.

For decades, workplace safety has relied heavily on “safety heroes”—dedicated individuals who step up to prevent incidents. While those efforts matter, sustainable safety performance depends on systems, not superheroes. Luis’s presentation will guide attendees through the transition from individual-driven safety to a structured, organization-wide approach using the ANSI/ASSP Z10.0 Occupational Health and Safety Management System Standard. Participants will leave with practical strategies for embedding safety into daily operations, engaging leadership and employees, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Luis’s second presentation, Guarding vs. LOTO: Clarifying Roles for Effective Machine Safety, breaks down the distinctions between guarding and LOTO, highlights areas of overlap, and provides practical guidance for integrating both into a cohesive machine safety program. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, attendees will gain clarity on how to protect employees, meet regulatory requirements, and strengthen overall safety performance.

Registration:
2026 Bakersfield ASSP Symposium | Bakersfield ASSP Symposium

Region I Professional Development Conference

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – Pleasanton, CA

Dr. Christopher S. Rainwater, Past President of the Long Beach ASSP Chapter, Past Deputy Vice President of Region I, and current Editorial Review Board (ERB) member, will present If You’re Laughing, You’re Learning: The Role of Humor in Safety Training and Adult Learning at the Region I Professional Development Conference.

This engaging session explores how humor—when used intentionally and professionally—can transform safety training from routine to memorable. Drawing on adult learning theory and real-world experience, the presentation demonstrates how humor improves attention, engagement, and retention, helping safety messages stick long after the class ends.

Registration:
Event Information – ASSP

Region IV Professional Development Conference

April 22–23, 2026 – Atlanta, GA

Dr. Rainwater will also represent the Long Beach Chapter at the Region IV Professional Development Conference in Atlanta, continuing the chapter’s presence on a national stage and sharing innovative approaches to safety education with a broader professional audience.

Registration:
Registration

These speaking invitations highlight the depth of experience and thought leadership within the Long Beach ASSP Chapter. More importantly, they reflect a shared commitment to advancing the safety profession and proudly representing the chapter wherever the conversation about safety takes place.

Long Beach ASSP congratulates Luis Ortiz and Dr. Christopher Rainwater and thanks them for serving as ambassadors for the chapter at these important professional events.