Joshua Adams, CSP
Senior Safety Manager
Smithfield
Joshua is an experienced safety professional that has worked his way from entry-level laborer to a Senior Safety Manager. Originally starting out in the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Joshua has 16 years in the grain industry, 13 in safety. He has held safety responsibilities at Consolidated Grain and Barge, Inc. (based out of Indiana with 13 locations in 4 states), Zen-Noh Grain Corporation (based in Louisiana at one export facility), and now Smithfield (based out of North Carolina with 33 locations in 8 states). After a few years into his responsibilities as a Safety Associate, he realized that safety was his passion and decided to seek accreditation. He earned his Associate Degree in Occupational Safety and Health Technology from Odessa College, his Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupation Safety and Health Technology from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
Recently, Joshua has relocated to North Carolina with Cara, his wife of 11 years, their son Greyson who turns 4 this month, and Spirit their puppy. Through their support, encouragement, and belief in him, Joshua was determined to and capable of going to school while having a family.
Although his path to safety was not direct, it was the best way for him to learn the ins and outs of the correct safety mindset. Both good and bad experiences have molded Joshua’s approach to keeping employees safe. He believes that the more empowered employees are to make decisions and think like their Safety Team, the more successful the culture will be. This is achieved through a personal approach through coaching, training, and employee engagement.