AGC of America honors two construction individuals for their stand-out commitment to safety
BY NICOLE NEEDLES
Through the Construction Safety Excellence Awards for more than 30 years now, AGC has honored member companies that prioritize safety. In 2022, AGC extended its program to include front-line supervisors, field workers and safety and health professionals, making the award more competitive.
Sponsored by Milwaukee Tool, the two new awards — Construction Safety Professional of the Year (CSPY) and Construction Safety Champion of the Year (CSCY) — honor specific workers who have assisted member organizations in achieving a high standard of safety excellence.
The CSPY award is dedicated to construction safety professionals from member companies. To be eligible, nominees must be corporate, regional, or project safety and health professionals for an AGC member firm. The CSCY award is open to any foreman, superintendent or project manager from a member company who supervises work and is responsible for implementing established safety policies among their direct reports and skilled-trade partners.
The 2023 winners were announced at AGC’s Construction Safety & Health Conference in January in New Orleans. Bob Kunz is the recipient of this year’s CSPY award. Kunz is the Corporate Safety Director at Dimeo Construction Company in Providence, Rhode Island. He is a former chairperson of the AGC Rhode Island Safety Committee and current chairperson of the AGC Mass Safety Committee.
The CSCY award was given to Chris Smith, the Site Superintendent at Motor City Electric Co. in Detroit. He has several certifications, including, but not limited to Residential Safety Awareness Training, Buckeye LIVE Safe Certification and Confined Space Training.
Construction Safety Professional of the Year
Kunz began as an assistant superintendent for a specialty contractor that did utility sewer water lines and had an asphalt plant. From there, someone asked if he’d like to work in the safety realm.
“I had no idea what that meant at the time, but someone saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. So, my journey started from there,” Kunz said.
He did his homework, took courses, asked questions and observed others to be the best at his job that he could be. This switch was in 1992. Here in 2023, we know his hard work and dedication to safety paid off. Over the years, he managed quarries, switched employers, worked in the heavy highway sector and, finally, landed at Dimeo.
When you think of construction safety, personal protective equipment, fall protection and safety signage all come to mind. These are vital on project sites and an inherent part of safety, but Kunz also highlights the importance of other aspects of construction health and safety. He highlights mental health and safety surrounding the opioid epidemic. Not only this, but training in automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is another important aspect of his leadership methods. All employees have Naloxone, first aid and CPR training. They are now adding mental health first aid to the roster.
“While we’re focused on trauma response, we’ve got to be thinking not only about physical but mental well-being,” he said. “Focusing on how we can improve mental health, increase awareness, reduce stigma … that’s kind of my focus at this point. What are we doing from a total worker health perspective, not just at work but at home? How can we make sure workers leave work OK, but also return?”
Kunz sees this award not as the goal but as the icing on the cake that he is getting to do his job every day.
“You know, I didn’t set a career path and say, ‘Well, geez, in year 30, I want to be recognized as a Construction Safety Professional of the Year,’” he said. “And that should not be what’s motivating you every day. You shouldn’t be doing something in hopes that someone nominates you. Just go out there and take care of people.”
Construction Safety Champion of the Year
Smith began his construction career early in life when he found a passion for carpentry right after high school. He continued his work as an apprentice between college semesters and on breaks. During this time, he realized he didn’t want to finish his degree in secondary education. He would be missing his calling.
Instead, he transitioned to electrical work and only grew his career from there. Safety became something he always thought about. Especially when working on his own or in a supervisory position, he had to pay special attention to details and be there for others.
“My position changed, and my responsibility to others got greater. And as it gets greater, you adjust. You start looking out for the other person; you start thinking of other people. One of the most important things to me is ensuring that everyone goes home safe,” Smith said.
Suppose the correct tool for a job is not available to complete a project. In that case, Smith puts the project on hold until the proper tools become available, rather than doing a project incorrectly. He comes in early to work every day to make sure everything is ready for his team, and there is no question about whether or not a job or area is safe. These small yet hugely important moments in his job are what he loves. Being recognized for doing so is not needed but humbly appreciated by Smith.
“First and foremost, safety starts with leadership. In order to be a good leader, you have to know the industry. Safety doesn’t come first; the industry does,” Smith said. “Knowing your job and knowing your tasks allow you to become a safe person. If you know the job and you know how to be safe, you can extend that information to your field.”
His industry knowledge and detail-oriented work ethic come from 25 years of experience in the electrical industry and 12 years of experience with Motor City Electric.
“This recognition amplifies the safety culture that has been instilled into me not only by our group at Marathon Oil Refinery in Detroit but by the safety team at Motor City Electric, and it proves that the work can get done on time, under budget and safely,” Smith said.
THE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AND CONSTRUCTION SAFETY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARDS
These awards are presented to a safety and health professional and front-line supervisor/field personnel who has led his or her company to achieve an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence. These individuals have demonstrated technical expertise in safety and health, contributed to advancing safety and health with innovative ideas and shown leadership in establishing, maintaining and implementing programs at the job site and among their direct reports. The online application opens in early October each year and closes in early November. Applications will be reviewed and judged by national AGC Safety & Health Committee members. Winners are recognized at the AGC Construction Safety & Health Conference, held in January each year.