The Safest Way Forward: Don Malusi on Building Trust from the Ground Up

Don Malusi, Melching Project Manager and Safety Officer

At Melching, demolition and environmental work go hand in hand, and safety is the thread that holds it all together. For Don Malusi, Melching’s Environmental Project Manager and Safety Officer, protecting people and managing risk isn’t just a job requirement. It’s a personal mission shaped by more than 35 years in the industry.

“I’ve been doing this since 1988,” Don says. “Every site, every job, every crew is different, but the goal never changes; make sure everyone goes home safe and the work meets every standard.”

Experience That Runs Deep

Before joining Melching eight years ago, Don worked as an environmental consultant and abatement contractor, partnering with industrial clients across Michigan. That experience now drives his approach to Melching’s environmental and demolition projects from asbestos abatement and lead removal to site safety planning and training.

“Our team handles some of the toughest jobs in the region,” Don explains. “We deal with asbestos, lead, PCBs, mercury—all the materials that need to come out before a structure can safely come down. That takes planning, training, and coordination at every level.” 

One of Melching’s biggest advantages, Don says, is the depth of training among its crews.

 “A lot of our operators have 40-hour HAZWOPER cards and 40-hour Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor cards—that’s rare,” he explains. “They can spot potential hazards in real time, stop work, secure the area, and call it out before it becomes a problem. That’s the difference between working safely and creating an environmental hazard.”

Safety Starts Long Before the First Cut

Don’s work begins well before any demolition starts. His team conducts inspections, coordinates abatement plans, monitors air quality, and ensures compliance with state and federal standards.

At Melching’s hospital and chemical-plant projects, safety planning has made a measurable difference. “At the Cytiva project, a former chemical facility being converted to pharmaceutical use, we worked closely with Gilbane, the general contractor,” Don says.

Every lift, every confined space, every tank removal had a plan. We were prepared ahead of time, and that’s why everything got done safely and on schedule.”

That preparation has earned Melching recognition from Michigan’s MIOSHA Consultation, Education and Training (CET) Division, which commended the company for continuous improvement and proactive hazard correction during a 2024 site survey.

“The CET team isn’t there to punish you,” Don says. “They’re there to help you get better. That’s how we treat safety, as an ongoing partnership.”

Education, Communication, and Culture

For Don, training and communication are the foundation of Melching’s safety culture. “We make sure every worker understands the hazards, the controls, and why they matter,” he says. “That includes English and Spanish training, on-site refreshers, and real-world examples. You can’t just tell someone to be safe; you’ve got to show them why it matters.”

Melching’s crews participate in annual asbestos refreshers, daily safety talks, and on-the-job mentoring that reinforces accountability without fear. “You can’t build trust if you only show up to enforce rules,” Don says. “You’ve got to be a coach. You’ve got to care.”

That mindset shapes the way Melching approaches every project, not as a series of hazards to manage, but as people to protect. “A strong safety culture doesn’t just prevent injuries,” Don explains. “It keeps people engaged, builds trust with clients, and makes us more efficient. Safety and productivity go hand in hand.”

Progress Means Protection

When asked what “making way for progress” means to him, Don doesn’t hesitate.

“It’s about balancing productivity and safety. We do high-risk work, but we do it the right way. Safety isn’t a barrier to progress; it’s the reason progress happens.”

For Don, success is simple: “If everyone goes home safe, that’s a good day. That’s what I’m proud of.”

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