Breakout Highlights: Four Sessions at the 2026 Safety and Health Conference You Won’t Want to Miss

MCAA, SMACNA, and TAUC have come together to bring you a conference full of educational opportunities, led by industry professionals for industry professionals. This event fosters collaboration, facilitates the sharing of best practices and important resources, and drives collective progress toward the future of the industry. This action-packed conference offers up to 50 hours of education and networking, 30+ speakers, and up to 19 CEU hours.

Dates: January 12–15, 2026
Location: Austin Marriott Downtown, Austin, Texas

Among the many sessions, here’s a sample of the breakout topics you’ll find:

The State of OSHA: OSHA Updates for the Skilled Trades

Presenter: Aaron R. Gelb, Managing Partner, Conn Maciel Carey

This session reviews OSHA’s three goals announced at the start of President Trump’s second term:

1. Modernize regulatory oversight and rulemaking
2. Expand public/private partnerships
3. Transform enforcement through predictive analytics

Aaron Gelb will discuss changes made over the past year, strategies to prepare for inspections, when to engage OSHA defense counsel, and proactive steps employers can take in the coming year.

About the Speaker: Aaron R. Gelb is Co-Managing Partner at Conn Maciel Carey LLP and leads the firm’s Midwest OSHA practice. He represents employers during inspections, investigations, and enforcement actions involving OSHA and other agencies, and provides training and policy reviews nationwide.

Incident Investigation Workshop: Legal, Practical, and Preventative Perspectives

Presenter: Calvin Clark, Vice President of Health, Safety and Quality, Enerfab

This workshop focuses on incident investigation from legal, practical, and preventative angles. Attendees will gain insights to strengthen safety programs and improve accountability.

About the Speaker: Calvin Clark has more than 40 years of construction industry experience. He is known for clear communication, cultural accountability, and translating complex protocols into actionable messages that empower crews to stay focused and safe.

The Reality of AI for Construction Safety

Presenter: Rob McKinney, Construction Safety Advocate, SALUS

This session explores how Artificial Intelligence can improve safety workflows. Topics include:

• Defining AI and its current levels
• How AI can solve safety challenges
• Examples of AI tools such as GAMMA, Synthesia, and SALUS

Attendees will learn how technology can reduce risks and enhance safety performance.

About the Speaker: Rob McKinney has worked in construction safety since 2001 and is focused on educating professionals about technology’s role in improving safety workflows. He co-founded the ConTechCrew podcast and has presented at national conferences since 2013.

Safety by Design: Collaborative Innovation Between Manufacturers and Contractors

Presenter: Edgar Sanchez, National Manager of Health and Safety, Milwaukee Tool

This session examines the new product development process and how contractors can engage with manufacturers during design. Topics include development stages, rapid prototyping, and best practices for evaluating solutions.

About the Speaker: Edgar Sanchez has over a decade of construction industry experience and works with safety professionals across the U.S. to deliver solutions that enhance productivity without compromising protection.

Register now to join these sessions and gain practical strategies, legal insights and technology-driven solutions for advancing safety in 2026 and beyond.