Jim Brown, Safety Hero, Passes - Scholarship Set in His Name
We are saddened by the news of the passing of Jim Brown, Safety Director at CEA for 35 years, on November 25, 2017.
As you may know, Jim's construction career started with The Ruhlin Company. Starting at the bottom, Jim worked his way through numerous positions including foreman and yard superintendent, eventually becoming safety superintendent. Jim embodied this position, becoming trainer, investigator, author, innovator and administrator of all things safety-related. His career at first seemed defined by 31 years working for Ruhlin Construction.
But, soon he was asked to build CEA "a Safety Department second to none" and took a position at CEA. He completed the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration's basic and advanced instructors course in OSHA standard for the construction industry. He began to teach OSHA 10 Hour courses, OSHA 30 Hour and became an OSHA 500 instructor. He began to build relationships as he did training for all CEA members and some of the Unions. He would visit jobsites and do safety inspections and "Safe-Site" visits, upon the request of a contractor, where he would do a specific topic right there on the job site for an hour or so. Many can remember Jim setting up his metal folding chairs and pulling his television out of his full size van to share safety videos. He attended OSHA Informals with members and would share his thoughts on violations with the OSHA Area Director, Rob Medlock. Rob would often say to Jim "Now, wait a minute Jim....don't piss on my boots and tell me it's raining." Jim would tell contractors "OSHA is here to stay, so if you're going to play the game, you gotta play by their rules." He was devoted to members and 200% devoted to his job and making the construction industry a safer place in which to live.
Jim continually watched over and served the industry, sharing his safety expertise throughout the industry, first locally and then nationally. He was a nationally recognized Construction Safety Professional. Many knew Jim from providing OSHA training. His motto "adults like to make learning fun". He would tell his students
The things you learn in this class don't mean anything unless you take it back to your companies and downstream it."
Jim was Past President of the American Society of Safety Engineers, Past President of the Society of Ohio Safety Engineers for the State of Ohio. He was a member of Associated General Contractors and sat on the board of the International Veterans of Safety. At the 63rd All Ohio Safety & Health Congress in 1993, Jim was elected as "Safety Professional of the Year" for the All Ohio Society of Safety Engineers - McKinley Chaper - Akron, OH. As CEA celebrated its 100th year in 2016, Jim Brown received the "Distinguished Service Award" and was inducted into the inaugural class of the CEA Hall of Fame.
We recognize Jim for his near lifetime record of contributions to the construction industry and remember him, as he has touched so many lifes. He loved to share his knowledge, but never liked to be praised for it and would say.......
All this knowledge I have up here, I can't take with me. So I'm going to do what I can to pass it on."
Jim's work here is done. He received a call, a sort of an offer he couldn't refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends he has not seen in a long time. Job security is exactly 110 percent.
We want to let him know that he did a great job and wish him a safe journey. He will be remembered as one of the kindest men who always seem to be in a good mood and never appeared angry. He was full of energy, loved family and friends, but also loved his students, and members, many of whom over time also became his friends. He made a difference in the lives of many.