Talia Martinez, CSP
Talia Martinez, CSP, is a Certified Safety and Health Specialist and Safety Manager at Calhoun Construction Services, where she oversees safety operations across 14 active job sites. An Eastern Kentucky University alumna, she earned her B.S. in Occupational Safety and Health in 2021, graduating Cum Laude at the top of her class. Talia began her career as a safety intern and steadily worked her way into leadership roles, gaining experience in heavy civil construction as well as general industry and manufacturing. In 2025, she achieved the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential—the highest certification in the safety profession.
Previously, Talia served as an OSH Consultant with Kentucky OSHA, where she provided guidance, training, and compliance support to organizations across the state. She is an Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer in Construction and General Industry and holds certifications including OSHA 7845 Recordkeeping, OSHA 7410 Managing Excavation Hazards, and First Aid/AED/CPR. Known for her strong communication and problem-solving skills, Talia believes effective safety leadership is built on education, collaboration, and trust. Rather than enforcing rules without context, she focuses on explaining the “why” behind the work and partnering with teams to find practical, sustainable solutions.
Talia’s passion for safety was sparked early—during high school—after witnessing the devastating impact of a fatal workplace accident on a family in her community. That experience shaped her commitment to protecting workers and building strong safety cultures. She is especially proud of the reputation she has earned in the construction industry as a knowledgeable, approachable, and deeply committed safety professional. Outside of work, Talia enjoys sewing quilts, gardening, canning and preserving, and farming alongside her partner, who manages a beef cattle operation spanning more than 500 acres.
• CSP
• Eastern Kentucky University - Bachelor's degree, Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician
• CSP (certified safety professional)
• OSHA trainer
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the family who lost their son and inspired me to pursue a career in safety. Witnessing their loss had a profound impact on me and became the foundation for my commitment to this field. Their strength and support paved the way for my journey and continue to motivate me to protect others and make a meaningful difference through my work.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never take disrespect from anyone and to always stand up for what I believe in. That guidance has shaped my confidence, reinforced my integrity, and reminded me that strong leadership begins with self-respect and conviction.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you have something to say, say it. Being a woman in management and construction isn’t for the faint of heart, but your voice matters. Stand your ground, lead with confidence, and don’t be afraid to set emotions aside when necessary—strength, clarity, and professionalism will earn respect and help pave the way for those who follow.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is working with an increasingly inexperienced and undertrained workforce, compounded by language barriers on job sites. At the same time, this presents an important opportunity—to improve training methods, strengthen communication, and develop more inclusive, hands-on safety programs that ensure every worker, regardless of experience or language, goes home safe at the end of the day.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are maintaining healthy boundaries and balance. I believe in keeping work at work and not bringing it home with me, which allows me to stay present, grounded, and effective—both as a professional and as a person.