David E. Rogers brings more than 26 years of combined experience in mining and construction, with 18 years spent working in underground coal, copper, and platinum operations across the hills of Eastern Kentucky to the mountains of Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. Over the past decade, he focused on construction and mine safety, where his passion for protecting workers truly grew. He is certified through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as a Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) and holds the Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) credential.
He brings a wealth of knowledge from his background and experience as he is a former first responder and mine rescue team member, which gave him firsthand experience in emergency response and risk mitigation. In addition, Rogers is a certified First Aid and CPR instructor, giving him the tools to train and prepare others for the unexpected. His background in high-risk environments, from underground mining operations to large-scale construction projects, taught him how quickly conditions can change and how vital proactive safety measures are. Leading teams through hazardous situations, responding to incidents, and developing site-specific safety programs have all shaped his ability to anticipate risks and implement practical solutions that keep people safe.
Rogers’ new role at S&S is to monitor and evaluate our safety and health programs, identify areas for improvement, and implement best practices that strengthen our overall safety culture. Ultimately, his focus is to ensure every employee goes home safely every day, the same way they arrived.
His first priority in the role is identifying any gaps holding back the growth of our safety culture. Building trust and strong relationships with crews is essential, because safety leadership only works when it’s a shared commitment across every level of the company. His first initiative has already been rolled out: The Health Bridge, a telephonic nurse triage program for minor workplace injuries. This allows employees to receive immediate medical guidance, often avoiding unnecessary ER visits and reducing downtime. Additionally, he’s in the process of streamlining incident reporting and site safety inspections through electronic reporting tools. These updates will make documentation faster and more efficient, helping to focus more time on proactive safety measures in the field.
Rogers believes that safety is everyone’s responsibility—not just the safety team’s. Every decision on the job site impacts not only your team but also the families waiting for them at home. By making training relevant, interactive, and connected to real-life situations, we can inspire people to look out for themselves and their teams. Plus, a safer workplace is a more efficient workplace—less time lost to incidents, clearer processes, and better decision-making on site.
The success of this position will be measured by the culture that’s built together—a program that’s proactive, trusted, and embedded into everything the company does. His goal is to eventually pass the torch knowing that safety isn’t just a department, but a core pillar of the business success. As the company expands, so will the safety program. He foresees building a stronger field presence, adding coordinating roles and safety managers to provide hands-on support.
For more information, please contact David at dave@artcoatingtech.com
