The nonprofit Michigan Safety Conference (MSC) announced that Jason Anglin of Lansing-based Christman Constructors Inc. is the recipient of the prestigious 2020 Darryl C. Hill Safety Professional of the Year Award. 

The MSC is dedicated to continually improving safety in Michigan workplaces through education

and covers safety in all industries throughout the state, including the healthcare, manufacturing, retail, construction and healthcare sectors. The Darryl C. Hill Safety Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor given annually to one Michigan safety or health professional who has made a positive impact on safety and health in the state. 

Honorees are nominated by their colleagues and reviewed by a committee of workplace safety experts. The award is named after Darryl C. Hill, Ph.D., CSP, senior vice president of safety at First Group America. Past award winners include safety professionals from Ford Motor Company, Target Corp., Trinity Health, Chrysler and the Michigan Road Builders Association. 

“As the safety director for Christman Constructors Inc., Jason is recognized nationally as among our state’s strongest and most respected safety professional leaders because his dedication and attention to detail literally saves Michiganders’ lives,” said MSC Executive Director Denise McGinn. 

MSC is also “proud to recognize the commitment Christman Constructors has placed on maintaining a company culture that promotes excellence in workplace safety and health,” said MSC Awards Committee Chair Terry Fisk, an occupational safety and industrial hygiene consultant. 

“Implementing best practices for increased employee safety and preventing accidents exemplifies both Jason’s and Christman’s true commitment to safety among management and staff,” Fisk said.

Anglin’s development of innovative partnerships with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) state regulatory agency has resulted in multiple metrics-driven projects that have proved quantifiably successful in preventing worker injuries, illnesses and fatalities, while also helping improve company performance. 

He is credited with playing an instrumental role in spearheading collaborative efforts with MIOSHA that consistently delivered outcomes far surpassing industry averages and continue to provide value to the entire construction industry in Michigan and beyond. 

Two specific examples of his transformational leadership for Christman with MIOSHA are:

• Serving as the lead for safety on the MIOSHA Partnership for the Accident Fund of America New Headquarters project in Lansing. As the industry trade publication Modern Steel Construction describes this national award-winning project: “Imagine building a 9-story steel- framed office building inside an existing masonry structure, all the while having to both preserve and support the heavy shell. Then add the complication that much of the existing steel had to be removed before the new framing and floors could be installed.” Christman completed the main structural steel erection ahead of schedule, even with a late start caused by site delays. Despite these daunting deadline challenges, while Jason was on this project, approximately 1,700 workers were oriented to the MIOSHA Partnership and Christman safety culture, amassing 875 days without a lost-time accident.
• Leading the MIOSHA Partnership project for the Lansing Board of Water and Light REO Town Power Plant project. The construction of this project was challenging from the beginning because of unforeseen issues, including site contamination that had to be mitigated. While Jason was on this project, approximately 1,460 workers were oriented to the MIOSHA Partnership and Christman safety culture, amassing a streak of 327 days without a lost-time accident. 

These outstanding accomplishments are especially significant at a time when the American Society of Safety Professionals, the world’s oldest professional safety organization, is urging employers to be more active in implementing safety and health management systems in response to newly released fatality data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The BLS reported that 5,250 fatal work injuries occurred in 2018, a 2 percent increase from the previous year’s total of 5,147. It is the fourth time in the past five years that fatal occupational injuries increased.

“Jason’s achievements in promoting workplace safety reflects our company’s fundamental values: He combines deep technical expertise in safety and health excellence with a commitment to public service,” said Christman President Doug Peters.

“His passionate advocacy for workplace safety-related policy initiatives has positively shaped state legislation and company guidelines that protect workers’ health and improve workplace safety throughout Michigan,” Peters said.

Anglin has worked for Christman Constructors as the safety director since 2014. He previously worked as a project safety manager for over six years with The Christman Company, starting in 2009. 

Prior to joining Christman, Jason spent 14 years working in safety and project management with a focus on construction, environmental and geology. He graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1994 with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in geology and anthropology. He continued his professional development with business law classes through Kennesaw State University.