For 2007 the DEW SHARP Committee added the Safety Superintendent of the Year category and Todd Poirier becomes our inaugural award winner. Since Todd joined DEW in 1999, jobsite safety has always been planned and integrated into his projects. We’re sure that all will concur with our decision.
Todd received several nominations. An anonymous submitter wrote – “Todd’s consistent attention to safety has been recognized by owners, Project WorkSAFE and DEW repeatedly. It’s time his efforts that go above and beyond are recognized with a Safety Superintendent of the Year award.”
Norm Wallace’s nomination read – “Todd is topnotch when it comes to safety. Anyone who works with him knows that he demands safety above all.”
The SHARP Committee also heard from his associates at NCCC in response to Jerry Davis’s nomination. Jim Sharpe, Clerk-of-the-Works wrote – “If anyone asks, I would recommend Todd for many reasons, one being how serious he considers safety protocol on a construction project. Not only does he look out for the entire construction crew, but also students, school staff, neighbors, etc. I’m impressed to see that Todd holds weekly safety meetings with the entire crew. Some contractors only hold safety meetings on a weekly basis with the subcontractors’ foremen. Also, I like the fact that before any new worker sets foot on this project he or she must go through DEW’s safety orientation session. This is so important as it sets precedence for what we all expect relative to the seriousness of safety awareness, professional workmanship, and a good teamwork attitude. Hat’s off to Todd. I hope to work with him on future projects.”
Robert Fitts, NCCC Director wrote – “I have to comment on the safety and security of the construction at the NCCC over the past six months. Having a major construction project, and educating 1100 students on the same site, keeping all safe, on schedule and on budget seemed to be an overwhelming task to me as director of this facility. When Todd came on site, I expressed concern; he immediately explained how safety and security would be addressed on this project, and how we as a team would handle various issues. From that point on things have gone better than I imagined. Our site is secure. No student or staff has access to the construction site. Construction workers have limited access to our school. When access by these parties is necessary, I am well informed in advance. We have had a few incidences of security or safety which involved students or staff, and when we did they were immediately and professionally dealt with by Todd and his staff. We are now well into this project and I am more assured than ever about safety and security. We have become proud of this safe and secured site and do everything in our power to cooperate with Todd, and the direction for safety and security he and his staff have demanded on this site.”
Matthew Smith with Black River Design wrote – “From my experience, Todd would be an exemplary choice for Safety Superintendent of the Year. With respect to site containment and partial occupancy, Todd has developed a creative safety solution to a difficult situation. He takes separation of construction and occupancy very seriously and it shows.”
Joe Aja, Project Manager with the State of Vermont wrote – “Safety is one of the many functions that Todd maintains on a daily basis. His concern and implementation of job safety has been very high and consistent throughout the project. From the onset of the safety orientation meetings to weekly safety meetings for every construction worker, Todd gets buy in from all the workers that safety affects everyone and that a safe work site is more productive and efficient. I can only believe that he runs every job the same as this one. I support the nomination of Todd for DEW’s Safety Superintendent of the Year.”
Finally, the NCCC project received Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program certification from Project WorkSAFE and Vermont’s Department of Labor. All NCCC DEW employees had a role in this award and certainly Todd’s leadership was a key factor.
As DEW’s 2007 Safety Superintendent of the Year Todd gets more than recognition.
1. Todd’s name is the first entry on our Safety Superintendent of the Year plaque which hangs in DEW’s office lobby.
2. Todd receives a very nice jacket that recognizes his achievement.
3. Todd receives an extra day of vacation.
4. Todd receives a $100 gift certificate to Lenny’s (thanks to Eric Sise for suggesting that Todd was in dire need of a new pair of work boots!)
Todd lives in St Albans with his two boys, Jesse and Nickolas. He is engaged to Laurie Bechard. Congratulations Todd and thanks to everyone who supported your nomination.
