Scott Campbell's favorite part of his job is finding solutions to issues that prevent them from repeating. He calls them "the light bulb effect" or "Aha moments."
They often lead to more training or general coaching within the Missouri Department of Transportation's Central District.
Campbell is a senior safety specialist in MoDOT's Central District, which means he trains employees on how to safely work on roadways, conducts inspections at work sites and investigates incidents when they occur.
He also serves as the work zone coordinator for the district, setting up work sites throughout 18 counties in Mid-Missouri.
"As I tell our people when they come, I like to be their resource guy," Campbell said.
He's not out to catch misconduct, he said, but rather help other MoDOT employees do their job more safely and efficiently. Road crews may not know a particular action is risky if there hasn't been training or coaching in that area, Campbell said, so he concentrates on those considerations so others don't have to.
"Did we do everything that we're supposed to? Did we do everything right? Did we have the right equipment? Did we have the right protection? Did we have the right PPE? In this location, what were the contributing circumstances?" Campbell asked as some of the considerations he works through to avoid operations that expose road crews to greater risk when on the job.
"Of course, I grew up paying attention to all of that because of dad's background, and so I was aware of those types of things," he said.
Campbell followed in the footsteps of his father, who retired after 38 years with MoDOT primarily working in traffic signing, stripping and signals.
Campbell joined the MoDOT team in 2006 as a maintenance worker. Before that, he drove tractor trailers, worked overnight in factories and tended to his family farms, which he still does as a hobby.
Now as district work zone coordinator and a senior safety specialist, it's Campbell's job to ensure safety signs are spaced correctly, tapers are set up and the work zone is easy to navigate for drivers. In addition to physical safety precautions, he said he wants to instill a subconscious culture within crews so safety is valued and part of individual decision-making.
"It's a family atmosphere in a lot of respects when you're out there working with your crew day in and day out," Campbell said.
"Every time a vehicle passes by, our risk factor can change -- it may be better, it may be worse," he said. "And we have very little control over that so we have to make sure we're doing everything we can to protect ourselves and the traveling public as well."
Even with proper precautions in place, some motorists aren't paying attention to work zones, Campbell said, so the department tries to consider that as well and plans work to avoid traffic disruptions.
"We have to pay attention to what they're doing because we don't feel they're paying attention to us," Campbell said.
He encouraged motorists to be aware, considerate and courteous to MoDOT employees working on roadways.
When he's not at MoDOT work sites or looking after his family farms, Campbell is active with his church, where he plays the trumpet in an orchestra. The father of two played the trombone and tuba in high school, but taught himself the trumpet to fill a need in the church group.
In the accompanying video, Scott Campbell talks about what he does as the MODOT senior safety specialist and why he enjoys it.