CSP Award of Excellence
Richard F. Sesek, PhD, CSP, CPE is an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Auburn University. Dr. Sesek holds a Master’s in Public Health and a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Ergonomics and Safety. He has demonstrated commitment to the safety, health and environmental (SH&E) field by educating and mentoring future safety professionals, through his service on 16 SH&E-related doctoral committees, and by acting as an advisor to over 100 SH&E-related Master’s committees. Dr. Sesek has worked as an occupational safety and ergonomics educator for 14 years, during which time he has published 19 peer-reviewed journal articles, 3 safety-related book chapters, and 33 peer-reviewed conference proceedings. He has been active in conducting formal research studies with a primary emphasis in the area of physical risk assessment. Dr. Sesek has received numerous awards and recognition over the course of his academic career, including the American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) Dr. William E. Tarrants Outstanding Safety Educator Award (2013) and Alabama Chapter Safety Educator of the Year (2013).
CHST Award of Excellence
John S. Rawlings, CSP, CHST is a retired military officer with a Master’s degree in Management. Mr. Rawlings has over eight years of experience as a safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) manager in the construction industry in addition to SH&E experience received during his time in the military. He is the Director of Safety (National) at John J. Kirlin Special Projects, LLC (JJKSP) and has helped to guide his company through many accomplishments in the area of SH&E, including decreasing their recordable rate by 73% and loss time by 100% over a span of 770 days. Under his guidance his company has achieved a decreased incidence rate, from a 3.9 to .5. Additionally, all Project Managers within his company now hold certifications in pertinent safety training elements, with 120 hours of safety training per manager. Mr. Rawlings is an active member of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the National Safety Council (NSC). Mr. Rawlings strives to spread his SH&E knowledge and provides free safety training to partnering companies in an effort to do so. He is a recipient of NSC’s Award for 1 Million Man Hours Worked Without Lost Time.