Safety Starts with People
At icon, safety is not a program, a checklist, or a box to be checked. It is a commitment to our people and their families.
Every decision we make starts with one simple belief: everyone deserves to go home the same way they arrived. That belief drives how we plan work, how we train, and how we lead in the field.
Safety is owned at every level of our organization, from leadership to the craft. It is built into how we operate, not layered on after the fact.
How Safety Lives at icon
Our safety culture is built on trust, accountability, and respect for the people doing the work.
We believe the best safety solutions come from the field, which is why our crews are actively involved in identifying hazards, improving processes, and shaping how work gets done. When employees are part of the solution, safety becomes something they believe in, not something they are forced to follow.
At icon, safety conversations are rooted in relationships. We focus on coaching, learning, and continuous improvement, not blame. Mistakes are treated as opportunities to improve systems, not punish people.
This approach creates ownership, consistency, and a culture where people look out for one another.
“They care about what they are doing, and their attention to safety is one I wish all subcontractors followed.”
Desiraye Root, Superintendent, Walbridge
Safety Leadership
Our safety program is supported by a dedicated team of experienced professionals who believe leadership is about service, not control. They are present in the field, accessible to our crews, and accountable for continuously improving how we protect our people.
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Vice President of Health & SafetyJoe Shryock, SMP, COSS, STSC -
Safety DirectorSteven Littrell, SMP -
Charlotte Regional Safety CoordinatorJeremy Mahala -
Midwest Regional Safety CoordinatorReggie LaRue -
Southeast Regional Safety CoordinatorDominic Damato -
National Subcontractor Safety CoordinatorDan Shafferkoetter
Joe Shryock, SMP, COSS, STSC Vice President of Health & Safety
Joe Shryock serves as Vice President of Health & Safety and brings more than 15 years of safety leadership experience built on a foundation of hands-on construction field experience as a union cement mason. His background in the trades gives him a practical, field-focused perspective that shapes his approach to building strong safety cultures rooted in trust, communication, employee involvement, and proactive leadership. In his role, Joe works closely with field teams, operations leaders, project teams, and trade partners to strengthen safety processes, support leadership development, drive employee engagement initiatives, and continuously improve safety performance across the organization.
Joe is especially passionate about creating proactive safety cultures where employees feel empowered to speak up, identify hazards, and take ownership in building safer jobsites together. Throughout his career, he has helped lead and support major initiatives such as the Good Catch Program and Focused Field Assessments (FFAs), helping create a culture centered around collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. His leadership philosophy focuses on caring for people first, developing strong teams, and ensuring every employee has the support and resources needed to return home safely each day.
Steven Littrell, SMP Safety Director
Steven Littrell serves as Safety Director and is responsible for ensuring the consistent implementation of safety programs across all IMI companies. With a background that began in confined space rescue, Steven has built his career around hands-on coaching, employee engagement, and helping teams understand the “why” behind safe work practices.
He is especially passionate about confined space safety and promoting personal ownership of safety at every level of the organization. Steven also played a key role in implementing SafetyPlusWeb, a learning management system designed to improve and track employee training. His leadership style focuses on creating an environment where every employee feels comfortable asking questions, stopping work when necessary, and making safety part of everyday habits and decision-making.
Jeremy Mahala Charlotte Regional Safety Coordinator
Jeremy Mahala is a Charlotte Regional Safety Coordinator with over six years of experience in construction safety and field leadership. He began his career as a General Foreman and transitioned into safety after being encouraged by leadership to take on a new role focused on protecting and supporting field teams. Today, he oversees safety efforts including new hire orientation, equipment training and certification, incident and near-miss investigations, and ongoing support for project and field teams.
Jeremy is especially focused on PPE compliance and ensuring employees understand and use the proper protection for every task, viewing it as the first line of defense on every jobsite. He is passionate about coaching, communication, and understanding the “why” behind behaviors, helping set employees up for long-term success. His people-first approach and commitment to accountability help strengthen a culture where safety always comes first and everyone feels responsible for sending their teammates home safe.
Reggie LaRue Midwest Regional Safety Coordinator
Reggie LaRue brings a strong background in hands-on safety operations and emergency response to his role as Midwest Regional Safety Coordinator. After beginning his career performing confined space rescue and chemical remediation work following his military service, he transitioned into safety leadership where he developed expertise in training, incident investigations, workers’ compensation support, and safety program management.
At icon, Reggie focuses on supporting field teams, overseeing safety staff, strengthening company policies, and ensuring employees have the tools and resources needed to work safely. He is passionate about employee involvement and believes strong safety cultures are built through trust, accountability, and continuous improvement. His practical, team-oriented approach helps foster an environment where employees feel empowered to speak up and take ownership of safety.
Dominic Damato Southeast Regional Safety Coordinator
Dominic Damato has over six years of experience in the safety field and is dedicated to creating safer work environments through consistency, coaching, and leadership. In his role as Southeast Regional Safety Coordinator, he supports field operations by onboarding new craft employees, conducting jobsite and fabrication shop inspections, managing safety documentation, coordinating training programs, and working closely with project teams and leadership to ensure safe operations across all levels.
Dominic is passionate about helping employees succeed and believes strong safety cultures are built when everyone, from leadership to craft workers, is fully committed to looking out for one another. His people-first mindset and hands-on approach continue to support the company’s growth and evolving safety culture in the Nashville region.
Dan Shafferkoetter National Subcontractor Safety Coordinator
Dan Shafferkoetter has more than 16 years of safety experience supporting high-hazard projects across the United States. Known by many as “Safety Dan,” he began his career supporting refinery electrical upgrade projects and has since become a key leader in coordinating safety planning and staffing nationwide. In his role as National Safety Coordinator, Dan works closely with project safety leads and project managers to support high-risk task planning and reinforce safe work practices across the company.
He is especially passionate about fall protection and believes injuries can be prevented through proper training, preparation, and accountability. Dan’s family-oriented approach to leadership and commitment to doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, continue to help strengthen the company’s safety culture nationwide.
Our extended safety team provides daily support across jobsites and facilities, working directly with crews to ensure safety expectations are understood, practical, and achievable.
Recognized for Doing the Right Thing
Our approach to safety has been recognized across the industry, not because of slogans or policies, but because of the results driven by our people.
These recognitions reflect the dedication of our teams and the belief that safety is strongest when people are empowered.
Voices from the Field and Beyond
The true measure of a safety culture is what people experience every day.
From craft professionals and supervisors to clients and trade partners, the feedback we receive consistently reflects a shared commitment to doing work the right way.
What Makes Our Safety Program Work
Good Catch Program
Our Good Catch Program empowers employees to speak up when they see a hazard, improvement opportunity, or positive safety behavior.
By recognizing proactive action, we prevent incidents before they happen and reinforce shared responsibility across the organization.
Safety Champion Program
Our Safety Champions help drive safety culture at the peer level. These individuals lead by example, support their coworkers, and reinforce safe behaviors where it matters most.
This program strengthens accountability while building leadership from within.
Employee Buy-In
Safety works when people believe in it.
We focus on earning buy-in by being consistent, transparent, and responsive. When employees see their feedback turn into real change, trust grows.
Field Involvement
Our crews are actively involved in shaping safety processes. Their experience, insight, and feedback guide how we improve planning, equipment, and execution.
Safety is not built in an office. It is built in the field.
