Student Spotlight

From Construction Experience to a Safety-Focused Future

Robert Brozek’s path into safety was shaped by experience, determination, and a genuine passion for helping others go home safe. With a 30-year background in heavy civil construction including road work, bridges, subdivisions, and underground utilities, Rob has worked as an operating engineer, lead man, and foreman. While safety has always been part of his work, holding a formal safety title has long been a goal rather than a reality.

“I have always wanted to be in safety,” Rob shared. “When I got injured and was in a cast, I took the 192-hour Construction Safety and Health Professional program and loved it. The goal was for me to finish the program while injured, get the credentials, and accelerate my career in safety while transitioning from construction foreman.”

That turning point helped Rob refocus his career path from civil construction to the safety management side. He describes himself as someone who naturally connects with people and enjoys sharing knowledge. He believes that passion and communication are key to influencing safe behaviors on the job.

Training That Engages and Inspires

One aspect of OSHAcademy’s training that stood out to Rob was how engaging and approachable it felt. He appreciated the structure of the courses, especially the practice tests and knowledge checks at the end of each section. “It wasn’t boring in any way,” Rob said. “The way it’s laid out makes you want to do more.”

Rob’s goal is not only to work in safety but also to teach others in both formal and informal settings. He finds fulfillment in helping people understand why safety matters and how to apply it in everyday situations.

Those lessons extend beyond the job site. Rob shared a real-world moment when his safety awareness made an immediate difference. While visiting a local hardware store, he noticed workers using a ladder without proper protection. He alerted a manager, who quickly addressed the situation and replaced the ladder with the correct platform equipment. “If nothing is said, then someone can end up dead,” Rob said. “If you say something, you can save a life.”

Preparing for Certification and Career Growth

When comparing OSHAcademy to other training he has completed, Rob noted a clear difference, especially while preparing for his Certified Health and Safety Technician credential.

He also credits OSHAcademy’s training as a major factor in earning his CHST certification. “Without the training from OSHAcademy combined with the time spent working in safety, I would not have been able to get the CHST from BCSP.” Rob shared. He added that the courses were more informative than traditional outreach training and made him eager to continue learning. “OSHAcademy is enticing and makes me want to do more courses.”

Lessons Learned Through Experience

Rob’s commitment to safety is deeply personal. He recalls a serious job site accident where improper ground preparation created a tripping hazard, causing him to fall and tear his meniscus and break his ankle. He also witnessed gaps in safety protocols following the injury and through those experiences, it reinforced his desire to help improve safety practices through leadership.

With the training he has received from OSHAcademy, Rob says he now has options and is working toward future roles in the safety field, including the goal of becoming a safety director.

Building a Positive Safety Culture Through Communication

Looking back, Rob wishes he had started sooner. “If I had to do it different, I would have started sooner,” he said. “I want to change culture. Many people see safety directors as cops. It is all about hurry up and go and forget about the consequences.”

Rob relies on open communication during safety meetings where he openly acknowledges workers who demonstrate safe work practices, encouraging them to voice their concerns to management about what they see on the job site that could create hazards without fear of consequence.

“While on safety audits, don’t be scared to talk with workers,” Rob said. “Acknowledge workers when they are doing high-risk tasks safely and use their safe actions as teaching tools.” He believes that through open communication, the safety culture comes alive because workers don’t feel they would be reprimanded for bringing safety issues to management, which in turn creates a positive environment for the safety culture to grow.

Through experience, education, and a people first mindset, Rob continues to build a future in safety, one conversation, one lesson, and one life saving moment at a time.

In conclusion, here is Rob’s mission: