This article is one in a series of conversations with women leaders in the construction industry. Click here for past discussions.
Safety Manager Carla Wynn is responsible for oversight of all of Oklahoma City-based T&T Industrial’s federal and state regulations, including touring jobsites to monitor safety compliance. She also ensures that employees of the mechanical contracting company have proper training and appropriate certification.
With nearly 30 years of experience in material handling, road building and fabrication, Wynn is a Certified Safety and Health Official and is authorized via OSHA’s Train-the-Trainer program, which equips employees to educate others. She has OSHA’s Outreach Training Program 30-hour certification, as well as CPR, first aid and first responder certifications.
At T&T, Wynn told Construction Dive that she “wears a variety of hats in my role managing all safety compliance aspects.”
Here, Wynn talks with Construction Dive about her work as an instructor for middle school girls considering a career in the industry and why she is passionate about construction and safety.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
CONSTRUCTION DIVE: What led you to choose construction for your career?
CARLA WYNN: My older brother had a safety company and asked me to work for him. He then enticed me with a full-time position after I completed my bachelor’s degree in environmental health and safety. I did join him, but then I went to work for someone else.
What do you do in your current job?
I make sure everyone is trained correctly and ensure all employees are certified to do the jobs they are hired to do.
I take care of all our regulations for federal and state compliance measures as well as touring all jobsites to ensure compliance for all T&T employees working on the site.
What are a few of the projects you’ve most enjoyed working on and why?
My favorite project so far working at T&T has been the Centrillium Protein meat processing plant in Midwest City, Oklahoma. I love working on projects that have impact in my local community.
What are the benefits of working in construction?
Working in construction has a lot of perks. You get to work with a team, see projects come to life and have lots of opportunities to advance. The personal satisfaction of seeing your hard work come to life is unbeatable.
Plus, with a high demand for workers, you can count on job security. And, because the industry is constantly evolving, there’s always something new to learn.
What advice would you give to young women considering construction as a career?
As an instructor at Construct My Future, an Oklahoma City summer day-camp that helps middle school students learn about the many careers and skilled trades in the construction industry, I am particularly interested in making young women aware of opportunities in construction.
Women can do anything they put their minds to. Construction is not just a man’s world anymore. More and more women are joining the industry and I am proud to be a member of that group.
