Safety Expert in General Industry & Agribusiness

About Steven Sawyer

Steven R. Sawyer, ARM, MS, CSP has been active in the safety industry since 1999, much of that time working with multi-faceted, high-hazard agribusinesses, developing a special expertise in grain bin engulfment and prevention; OSHA grain handling standards; lockout/tagout (LOTO); machine guarding; confined spaces; heavy equipment and specialized equipment operations; and safety program development and training.

In his professional career, Steven R. Sawyer has worked as a safety consultant, loss control representative, and risk management advisor assisting a variety of agribusiness companies by providing safety solutions to potential hazards and addressing incidents that have already occurred. He has facilitated safety consulting services for cattle feed-yards, grain companies, large corporate farms, small manufacturers, and chemical and fertilizer companies. He has assisted clients with audits and inspections and designed and implemented safety programs, policies, and procedures from the ground up.

"I've initiated many tough conversations with clients, providing necessary facts regarding their safety programs. Communicating those facts in a straightforward and candid manner is essential. As a safety consultant and expert witness, I'm prepared to communicate to clients and attorneys the facts they need to know."
— Steven R. Sawyer, ARM, MS, CSP

Over the years, Sawyer has assisted grain cooperatives with safety, security, environmental, and health programs; guided and advised clients during five U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials audits; conducted inspections and prepared monthly recommendations concerning the status of grain elevators, fuel plants, fertilizer plants, maintenance shops, and tire service stations; modified safety policies and training for non-English speaking workers; lead clients through ten OSHA inspections; coordinated OSHA compliance of anhydrous ammonia plants; lead five fertilizer companies through five Environmental Protection Agency Risk Management Plan Audits for anhydrous ammonia; and investigated workplace fatalities and injuries.

Sawyer holds a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from Kansas State University and a Master of Science in Safety Management from West Virginia University. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and earned the Associate of Risk Management (ARM) designation. He is an active member of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

Experienced in providing training on numerous topics, Sawyer is an OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer, conducting numerous OSHA 10 and 30 Hour General Industry classes with clients. He is an Ives Certified Trainer for the Counterbalanced Forklift, Rough Terrain Telehandler Forklift, Scissor Lift, Aerial Boom Lift, Front-End Loader, Skid-Steer Loader, and Backhoe Loader. Among other training Sawyer has provided (both classroom and non-classroom), he trained commercial drivers hauling hazardous materials to comply with US DOT 49 CFR parts 171-181.