A Legacy of Safety Leadership

Each year, this prestigious award is given to a safety professional who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to workplace safety. Named in honor of Duane Kuehn, a dedicated safety professional with 40 years in the industry, this award represents the highest standards of leadership, compassion, and innovation in safety. The selection process is highly competitive, with applications reviewed anonymously by a dedicated committee, making this recognition a true honor.

About This Year’s Winner: Keith Bakken

With more than 35 years of experience, Keith Bakken has built an impressive career in safety, spanning industries such as food processing, foundry, and machining manufacturing. For the past 11 years, he has served as the HSE Manager at Community Contractors Inc. in Grand Forks, where he has made an extraordinary impact on safety culture within the construction and project management field.

The Many Hats of a Safety Professional

In his nomination letter, Keith was described as a true servant leader—a professional who not only upholds safety standards but also bridges the gap between management, employees, and stakeholders to create a unified approach to workplace safety. He has been instrumental in ensuring that all levels of the organization embrace safety as a core value rather than just a requirement.

Reflecting on his career and the honor of receiving this award, Keith shared, “How we touch other peoples’ lives is how we measure success.”

Creativity in Safety Training

One of the most unique contributions Keith has made to workplace safety is his imaginative approach to training. Each month, he creates and draws safety-based comic puzzles called “Construction Conundrums.” These puzzles incorporate construction terminology with a focus on safety, using humor and creativity to keep safety engaging and top-of-mind for employees. His ability to present safety in a fun and memorable way has had a lasting impact on his team and company. One of these puzzles is even set to be published in the November 2024 issue of Professional Safety Journal!

Beyond this, Keith has taken a hands-on approach to improving job site safety. He has designed and welded steel railing systems for fall protection, created ergonomic work solutions to reduce injuries, and developed customized training programs for employees and subcontractors. His ability to blend technical expertise with creativity has made a tangible difference in workplace safety at Community Contractors.

A Champion for Safety Culture

Keith’s ability to secure full support from leadership has resulted in stronger safety programs, and his work with subcontractors ensures that safety standards extend beyond his own company to everyone involved in a project. Since Keith joined Community Contractors in 2013, the company has been recognized with multiple safety awards from the North Dakota Safety Council, including the Community Advancement Award, Safety Improvement Award, and Occupational Safety Merit Award.

Keith’s dedication, leadership, and innovative spirit truly embody the essence of the Duane Kuehn Award. Upon receiving the honor, he expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you NDSC, this was unexpected. To be honored is the culmination of my life’s professional dash.”

Adding even more significance to this recognition, Keith Bakken retired the very next day, February 28, marking the end of an extraordinary career dedicated to keeping others safe.

Please join us in congratulating Keith Bakken, a safety professional whose commitment to protecting lives and fostering a culture of safety continues to make a lasting difference.