The SMOHIT Safety Matters Awards have been a tradition since 2010, honoring those who have made real contributions to the physical and mental health of unionized sheet metal workers and contractors. These awards have been a highlight of the annual Safety Champions Conference, which was held Sept. 17-18 in Chicago. Nominations are accepted all year long, and award winners are chosen based on their consistent efforts to promote a safety culture on the jobsite and beyond. The following seven champions represent sheet metal workers at all levels, from all over the country.
Tim Benes, Business Manager, SMART Local 71
Buffalo, NY
As a foreman on the job site, Tim Benes has always prioritized safety. As business agent and now as business manager, he uses his platform to bring the mental health of Local 71’s members to the forefront, to help members live their best lives. He worked hard to establish the local’s Member Assistance Program team, which is ready to respond to life’s curve balls, and he continues to lead by ensuring a solid support system is in place for Local 71 members for years to come.
Jason Hill, Sub-foreman, W.G. Tomko
Pittsburgh, PA
Jason Hill was nominated by an apprentice, Richard Lankes, who also works for W.G. Tomko on the Pittsburgh International Airport project. One day, Jason was alerted that Richard, who has Type 1 diabetes, was suffering from low blood sugar while installing duct work. Jason carefully helped the apprentice down the ladder, and once on stable ground, made sure Richard had the glucose he needed. He then called over a co-worker, also a diabetic, to consult and make sure Richard was OK to drive home. Richard recalled: “The task alone of getting me off the duct work safely and then starting to treat me probably saved me from having a seizure that day.”
Eric Kiefer, Business Agent, SMART Local 9
Colorado Springs, CO
Eric Kiefer was nominated by Jonathan Davis, organizer for SMART Local 9, who first recalls Eric speaking about members’ mental health at a union meeting nine years ago, as a rank-and-file member. As president of Local 9’s Member Assistance Program, Eric has spent many years addressing the issue of mental health and helping members get the help they need. Eric has been instrumental in the establishment and continued success of SMART MAP at Local 9 as a member, and now as business agent. Members can count on Eric — he does what’s necessary, including once driving an hour out of his way just to make sure a member arrived home safely. “He does not report specifics,” Jonathan said, “but he does let the executive board know when he has helped a member, which seems like it is nearly monthly. We will never know how many lives Eric has saved.”
Steve Klippenes, Lead Instructor, Montana State Sheet Metal JATC
Butte, MT
During a CPR class Steve Klippenes was sitting in on, an apprentice suddenly passed out. Steve Klippenes reached him first, helping him out of his chair and safely moving him onto the floor. The apprentice was a diabetic who was suffering from low blood sugar. Thankfully, the CPR instructor was also a paramedic, who treated the apprentice with Steve by his side. After the apprentice was alert, Steve made sure he got back to his hotel and continued to check on him for the rest of the day and into the night.
Aaron Krahn, Training Coordinator, Fox Valley Sheet Metal JATC
Neenah, WI
Aaron Krahn was nominated by an apprentice who wishes to remain anonymous. He saw the Safety Matters Awards notification on the SMOHIT website and immediately thought of his training coordinator, Aaron, who has been a tutor, a mentor, and a confidence-builder for this apprentice. Aaron stood with them in the middle of the storm and waited for it to pass, assuring the apprentice that they had what was needed to pick up the pieces. Aaron helped the apprentice find counseling and the SMOHIT Helpline (which is now saved in their phone), and showed them how to navigate their health insurance. Because of Aaron’s help, this apprentice strives to pay the kindness forward someday. “He really cared for me and everything going on in my life. He helped me sort through it. It really made a big difference,” the nomination said. “Without him, I’m not sure I would still be in the trade or the apprentice program.”
Clayton Leibold, President, Leibold Inc.
Pottsville, PA
Clayton Leibold takes the health and safety of his employees seriously, and every year he hosts a Safety/Wellness Day, complete with invited speakers to educate, inform and engage with employees. Topics range from safe driving, including state rules and regulations as well as common sense reminders, to ladders and working safely on roofs. Clayton’s main focus is the importance of working together to learn, share and encourage one another. Speakers also discussed self-confidence, overall wellness, sleep and a well-balanced diet. “Employees of Leibold Inc. are generally in a better frame of mind and can more clearly perform their skills in the field,” the nomination said. “This, in turn, means employees are working safer and being more productive.”
Burton Takafuji, Training Coordinator, Hawaii Sheet Metal Training Fund
Honolulu, HI
Since his first SMOHIT Safety Conference, Burton Takafuji has become a self-named ambassador for all of SMOHIT’s health and safety efforts. Each week he conducts one or two site visits, engaging with members and apprentices to ensure they are informed about the critical health and safety tools available to them. His efforts are gaining momentum as companies become more interested in what SMOHIT offers. He has passed out approximately 100 magnets for gang boxes and more than 125 boxes of naloxone to distribute during First Aid and CPR certification classes. The nomination stated, “His work is helping to build a culture of safety, health and readiness in Hawaii’s sheet metal community… His initiative ensures that life-saving resources are not only accessible but placed directly in the hands of those who many need them most.”