Background
Peter G. Furst, who frequently lectures at universities, contributes
articles on
construction safety for IRMI.com.
Mr. Furst has more than 15 years of experience consulting to
a variety of firms, including architects, engineers, construction,
service, retail, and manufacturing organizations. He has provided
guidance in the design and implementation of innovative integrated
organizational strategic and tactical solutions resulting in efficiencies
along the value stream, utilizing Six Sigma lean and balanced scorecard
metrics optimizing human and business performance. He has also provided
motivational presentations at various organizations to all levels
of management and employees. Some of the consulting was with Liberty
Mutual Group customers helping them manage their safety program
more effectively and efficiently, thereby improving business outcomes
as well as substantially reducing their cost of risk.
Mr. Furst has more than 20 years of construction experience with
a multinational general contractor, Turner Construction Company,
serving as estimator, superintendent, and project manager on numerous
projects varying in size with some more than $500 million, involving
hundreds of craftsmen and subcontractors. He also had overall safety
oversight for projects amounting to more than $450 million annually
with resultant experience modification rates of under 0.35.
Mr. Furst teaches at both the University of California, Berkeley
as well as the California State University East Bay in courses related
to architecture, engineering, management, and construction, providing
students with innovative and challenging perspectives on a wide
variety of subjects. He has lectured at Harvard University as well.
He has practiced architecture at various firms in Southern California
for approximately 10 years, involved in design and project administration
on both commercial and institutional projects. He has worked with
consultants, contractors, and owners to devise design and project
delivery solutions with an enhanced sustainability value focus.
Mr. Furst received a bachelor of science degree in construction
engineering with honors, a bachelor of architecture (professional
degree) with honors, as well as a master’s degree in business administration
with emphasis in management from the California Polytechnic State
University San Luis Obispo.
He is a registered Architect, State of California, Certified
Safety Professional, Registered Environmental Assessor, and an Associate
in Risk Management. He has published numerous articles in professional
magazines and various websites covering such subjects as organizational
culture, climate, leadership, management, strategic and tactical
planning, process and systems improvement, lean thinking, Six Sigma,
organizational scorecards, metrics to drive organizational behavior,
sustainability, supervision, performance management, enterprise
risk management, human error, and safety.
His affiliations and awards include: Honored Instructor, University
of California, Berkeley School of Engineering extension; member,
advisory board, University of California, Berkeley Construction
Management Program; member, advisory board , California State University
East Bay Construction Management Program; and California AGC Safety
Professional of the Year. He is a member of various ANSI and ASTM
committees, Construction Specification Institute, ASSE, National
Safety Council, and the AGC Safety Council. He serves as a commissioner
for the State of California, Board of Architectural Examiners. He
is a past member of the AIA, San Francisco and Los Angeles chapters,
Southern California Industrial Safety Society, and the Western Council
of Construction Consumers.
Previously, he has taught at the University of California, Los
Angeles (UCLA) Extension, and the School of Safety and System Management,
University of Southern California (USC). He worked in the undergraduate
programs at the School of Engineering, California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona, and the School of Industrial Technology, California
State University, Long Beach, teaching courses in construction organization
and management, fundamentals of estimating bidding and pricing,
planning and scheduling, project management, cost control, construction
materials and methods, principles of management and supervision,
safety management systems, facility management, construction safety
management, performance metrics and management, human performance,
and advanced accident investigation.
Mr. Furst is a recognized motivational speaker, having spoken
at conferences in both North and South America, some of which include
the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), National Safety
Council (NSC), Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), Instituto
de Seguridad Minera (ISEM) Peru, Industrial Accident Prevention
Association (IAPA) Canada, International Risk Management Institute,
Inc. (IRMI), Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), World
of Concrete (W of C), Construction Specification Institute Conference
(CSI), Behavior Safety Now (BSN), Chicago Safety Conference, World
Congress on Safety and Health, American Industrial Hygiene Conference,
Utility Safety Conference & Expo, AGC National Conference, American
Concrete Institute (ACI), Construct Conference, Associated Builders
& Contractors (ABC), Construction Employees Association (CEA), and
the NeoCon World Trade Show, as well as various state safety conferences
including, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska, and Alabama, Saskatchewan, and
the Canada Safety Council. He has also presented at various symposiums,
seminars, and private and public organizations.