“Being buried alive was a moment I never imagined—and one I’ll never forget. In those terrifying seconds, when the weight of the earth pressed down on my body and panic gripped my soul, survival became my only focus. I wasn’t thinking about time, or pain, or fear—I was thinking about my family. I was thinking, I can’t die here. Not like this.
I fought with everything I had—not just to breathe, but to believe that help would come. And when it did, I was forever changed.
Surviving that day wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning of a new one. The journey that followed was filled with pain, struggle, and a long road to healing, both physically and emotionally. But it was also filled with growth. I learned that strength doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it whispers, keep going, even when everything inside you wants to give up.
Most importantly, that moment rewrote how I view safety—not as a checklist or a protocol, but as a lifeline. Every corner cut,..
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Michelle Goughenour Joined: May-29-2025 |
Joe Tantarelli is a down-to-earth guy with a lifetime of experience in heavy equipment construction. He spent 40 years in the industry, starting out as a laborer, working his way up to operator, and eventually becoming a manager. His years on the job gave him a deep understanding of the work and the people who do it.
After retiring from the field, Joe became a training specialist at Trucco Construction, where he spent over eight years helping others learn the ropes. That role eventually led him to his current work as a speaker and implementation specialist—a role he’s held for the past nine years.
Joe has partnered with company safety directors to support management and employee development, especially in preparation for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program Star status. He’s spoken at major industry events, including the Ohio B.W.C Safety Expo, Eastern Kentucky University, Army Corps of Engineers Construction Roundtable, Kentucky Governor’s Safety and Health Conference,..
