EXPERTISE AND SERVICES

Professional Engineer, Certified Safety Professional, Accident Investigation Expert

Mr. Lauhoff has over 30 years of experience in industry and the United States Air Force Reserves, balancing a dual career for nearly 15 years. During this time, he has investigated hundreds of industrial/construction accidents and has an extensive background in safety, accident investigation, and accident reconstruction.

Mr. Lauhoff is a retired United States Air Force Pilot and Civil Engineering Officer, and is a retired Chrysler Safety Engineer.

PRINCIPLE INDUSTRIES SERVED: Automotive, Industrial Safety, Construction Safety, Legal, Military

EDUCATION: BAA, Central Michigan University

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Mr. Lauhoff is the sole member of John P. Lauhoff Safety Consultant, LLC and is a Lead Consultant at Kevin Kennedy & Associates, Inc.,providing expertise in safety engineering, accident investigation, accident reconstruction, industrial/construction accident consulting, expert witness testimony, and related expertise to a wide variety of clients.
Mr. Lauhoff has investigated hundreds of industrial accidents during his 30 plus years with General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. In addition to the automotive “Big Three” he was the safety director at a sheet metal stamping plant and was the corporate safety director for an automotive supplier. In this capacity he was responsible for safety in 14 plants, covering a span of seven (7) states. During his tenure he has been responsible for safety in stamping, assembly (automotive and drive train), machining, plastic (SMC, blow molding, and extrusion molding) plants.

Mr. Lauhoff has over 15 years experience in machine design to incorporate OSHA and corporate safety standards. He has been included from equipment conception through completion of the build stage. This included print review and equipment review at predetermined build stages. Equipment complexity has ranged from small single station presses, welders, assembly stations, etc., to multi-station machining, welding, and assembly lines. Complex lines have included multiple robots stations, vertical and horizontal gantries, and transfer lines. Employee safety process incorporated included, but not limited to, simple guarding, electrical interlocks, light screens, and pressure sensing devices.

Mr. Lauhoff has extensive knowledge of Industrial and Construction safety, and is very competent in his knowledge of OSHA standards. For a number of years he was active with the Michigan OSHA standards committee. His career spans both employee and equipment safety related issues. The types of accidents he has investigated includes, but is not limited to: guarding, powered industrial vehicle; fork truck; personnel cart; tug; dolly trains; lock out-tag out; electrical; arc flash related; limit (safety) switch failure; equipment malfunction; equipment design; improper equipment cycling; conveyors (overhead and floor level); hand tools; grinding operations; crane operations (bridge, wheeled, and tractor) roll over, load imbalance, operator/load mishaps; pile driver; slip and fall (inside and outside parking lot- weather related); railroad crossing; switcher truck; pedestrian; loading dock; overhead door; chemical burns; ergonomic related injuries; and employee/operator failure to comply with standards, training, and instruction.

Mr. Lauhoff has been involved in construction safety related to the use of, but not limited to: bulldozers, excavators, screeds, dump trucks, cement trucks, and scaffolding, aerial lifts, all terrain vehicles.

Mr. Lauhoff wrote several technical manuals for the United States Air Force Civil Engineering School outlining course materials for teaching the proper use, and set up of, water purification units, building construction, heavy equipment use during runway repair, personal protection equipment, contingency operations, chemical warfare, tent city construction. He also wrote, and conducted, many simulated attach scenarios.

Additionally, he compiled a training manual for basic ergonomics addressing ergonomic injuries to the: back; upper and lower torso; neck and shoulders; arms and wrists; legs, knees, and ankles.

He taught multiple courses, using this manual, covering causes of ergonomic injuries, symptoms, and preventive actions to combat ergonomic injuries.

Mr. Lauhoff is experienced in contract writing, interpretation, and compliance gained while working in industry, construction, and the United States military.

Mr. Lauhoff has been involved in multiple facility audits reviewing areas such as, but not limited to; OSHA standards, equipment safety, employee/operator compliance to instructions and rules, ergonomics, workers compensation documentation, and contract compliance. Additionally, he was a member of an audit team conducting several audits to QS-9000 criteria.

Mr. Lauhoff has several years experience working with attorneys on litigated workers compensation claims and insurance company claim reviews.

Mr. Lauhoff is a retired United States Air Force officer. During his military career he served as a pilot and civil engineering officer. While serving as a pilot he flew missions in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and most of the continental United States, including Hawaii. As a civil engineering squadron commander he led teams to locations throughout Europe and the continental United States, as well as on humanitarian missions to Central America and the Caribbean. On these missions it was common for him to interface with the country’s Ambassador, or their Minister of the Interior.

Mr. Lauhoff started assisting in litigation cases in 2005. He has assisted in both plaintiff and defense cases, and has trial and deposition experience. Mr. Lauhoff’s extensive experience in working with individuals, of all levels, has proven to be invaluable in assisting him in gaining the confidence of others, and taught the importance of negations and open communications.

Presently Mr. Lauhoff is the sole member of John P. Lauhoff Safety Consultant, LLC, established in 2005, andis a Lead Consultant with Kevin Kennedy Associates Inc., Indianapolis, IN, 2008 – Present

Provide expertise in safety engineering, accident investigation, accident reconstruction, industrial/construction accident consulting, expert witness testimony, and related expertise to a wide variety of clients.

Safety Engineer, Daimler-Chrysler, 1996 – January 2008 (Retired)

Corporate Level: Advise DaimlerChrysler manufacturing plants on safety issues. Provide assistance as requested. Ensure DaimlerChrysler manufacturing plants are operating in concurrence with corporate, federal, and state laws and regulations.

Plant Level: Responsible for the safety of 2,500 hourly and salary employees. Supervise a staff of nine. Ensure compliance with governmental and corporate safety and environmental regulations. Interact with outside contractors to ensure new equipment meets all applicable standards. Monitor outside construction crews for compliance with governmental and corporate construction standards. Recommend changes when compliance is marginal. Develop training programs and direct their implementation. Negotiate safety grievances. Perform accident investigations.

Safety Engineer, Ford Motor Company, 1994 – 1996
Responsible for the safety of 3,500 hourly and salary employees – Supervised a staff of five. Ensure compliance with governmental and corporate safety and environmental regulations. Interact with outside contractors to ensure new equipment was in compliance with all applicable standards. Monitor outside construction crews for compliance with governmental and corporate construction standards. Recommend changes when compliance was marginal. Developed training programs and directed their implementation. Negotiate safety grievances. Perform accident investigations.

Director, Aeroquip, Automotive Group, 1990 – 1994

Corporate Safety and Environment Affairs – Responsible for 14 plants in seven states. Dotted line supervisor for 14 safety supervisors. Supervised staff of three. Performed accident investigations. Ensured compliance with corporate and governmental regulations. Performed safety and environment audits. Applied for necessary environmental permits. Directed disposal of hazardous wastes. Developed training programs and taught same.

Safety Engineer, Hawthorne Metal Products, 1987 – 1990

Ensured compliance with corporate and governmental regulations. Developed and implemented safety training programs. Performed environmental and safety audits. Supervised staff of two. Performed accident investigations. Applied for required environmental permits.

Production Supervisor and Safety Engineer, General Motors, 1977 – 1985

Supervised up to 40 hourly employees. Die Design. CAD Instructor. Industrial Engineer. Work study analysis.

Military Career, United States Air Force Retired

Civil Engineering Officer, United States Air Force Reserves, 1984 – 1996

Supervised a staff of four officers, ultimately supervising 150 men. Commanded squadron on national and international missions. Responsible for all phases of construction safety and building techniques. Responsible for compliance with all environmental and safety regulations.

Pilot, United States Air Force, 1973 – 1976

Aircraft commander on national and international flights. Supervised flight crew of 5. Flying safety officer. Training officer

Additional Experience

Served as an expert witness, for both the plaintiff and defense, in industrial/construction/commercial safety injury cases that have resulted in litigation. He has also worked, as a private consultant, for companies wishing to improve their safety record.

A comprehensive listing of litigation experience, as well as summaries of completed projects, is available upon request.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

CSP – Certified Safety Professional

PE – Professional Engineer; Registered in Massachusetts, Discipline: Safety

Licensed Pilot: Multi-engine, Instrument, Commercial license

C130 Pilot (Military)

Civil Engineering Officer (Military)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Past Member, American Society of Safety Engineers