Wanted: Safety Professionals from the Military
Managing Organized Chaos
Construction and mining are the two of the most dangerous industries in America. William Hering,
Director of Safety for S.M. Electric Company, Inc, explains that construction safety personnel have
a unique job managing "organized chaos." They have to know about everything: fall protection,
electrical hazards, environmental hazards, respiratory safety, demolitions, trenching, tractors,
heavy loads, heat exhaustion, overexertion, how to minimize risk of being hit, crushed or caught
in-between objects, just to name a few. "I believe in my heart that I’m keeping people alive by
teaching them safety," Mr. Hering says.
In the next five to ten years, the boom in infrastructure projects is going to result in a
severe shortage of building trades and safety workers. "We are in the cusp of a major
infrastructure rebuild," says Mr. Hering, "President-Elect Obama wants to put 2 million people back
to work." Every construction site requires approximately one dedicated safety person for every
40-50 laborers.
Where will these workers come from?
Safety professionals can start in many ways. Some begin with health and safety training as
Emergency Medical Technicians or in volunteer fire departments. Some come from the trades and have
gone on to take OSHA classes. Those separating or retiring from military service are excellent
candidates for safety positions. Mr. Herring notes that Military experience gives job candidates a
tremendous background in safety, "I guess you can call it staying alive in combat."
As an instructor at McGuire AFB, Mr. Hering has had experience training troops who later went
on to rebuild Baghdad, and build military camps. His student’s extensive military training,
respect, and work ethic impressed him. Military veterans easily complete certification in industry
safety courses due to their prior training and experience.
"H2H candidates are coming in with a different level of experience, respect and work ethic.
They are really highly trained individuals. I would take them in a heartbeat."
A good safety professional saves money for the company. He or she can help prevent accidents,
and injuries by reducing workers compensation claims and optimizing a company’s EMR (experience
modification rating). A high construction insurance premium, due to relaxed safety standards,
eventually gets passed onto clients in higher bids and can cost contractors important projects.
Companies in need of interested candidates for safety and health positions should post their
career opportunities to the Helmets to Hardhats website www.helmetstohardhats.org.
