Speaker Snapshot: Jason Brozen

“I was the arrogant, cocky, know-it-all, self-sufficient electrician who’d been there, done that, and just needed to get the job done,” says Jason Brozen. “Then back in 2009, I got blown up in an arc flash.” 

Jason lived to tell his story and to continue to work in the electrical field after a long recovery and rehabilitation period. Over his 30-plus years in the industry, he’s touched pretty much every aspect of the electrical industry, but none has been more satisfying than his current role as the lead corporate safety and technical trainer for Tyndale Enterprises, Inc. He uses his experience as a 30-year master electrician, NFPA 70E trainer, and a survivor to share about the accident that should never have happened and could have taken him from his family. 

“The definition of complacency is self-satisfaction, especially when it accompanied by a complete unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies,” Jason says. “So, you are literally sitting in a hungry lion’s cage. With the lion. And you’re looking out at your partner and saying, it’s cool, I’ve done this a million times, I’ve always done it this way, it’s only going to take me a second, so I don’t need PPE. Or fill in the blanks with whatever task someone does without following safety training process. The complacency part is really a callus on your brain.” 

During his SPARK presentation, Jason is going to tell his story and how making stupid decisions will likely catch up to you at some point. 

“I explain it as a row of dominoes, and every time you make a stupid decision, and they are stupid, not ignorant, because I can tell you 90 percent of the time or better, we know the risks,” he says. “Every time you do that; you flip a domino. When you get to the end of your dominos, that’s your accident or your fatality. That’s how complacency builds — one small decision at a time.” 

He reminds audiences that complacency builds with age and experience, citing statistics that show injuries double for people ages 45 to 65 from those ages 18 to 34. He tells them NOT to be like him and to pay attention to the training offered to you so that you return home safely at night.  

“Fighting complacency is my main message to the SPARK audience, he says. “Companies that promote a safe culture, implement proper training, and that get out amongst their people to see safe practices are happening is paramount. I love what I do; not many people get to feel they make a real difference out there.”