Phil Haataja is an NFPA Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP) with 30+ years of experience working in commercial and industrial locations. While technically trained as a manufacturing engineer (Mfg.), Phil has developed his own leadership methodology by encouraging people to do the right thing, empowering them with authority to do so and enabling them with the correct tools to get the job done. Since 2016, he’s used this approach to help people across the country improve their approach to electrical safety to get it aligned with NFPA 70E, the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. He’s a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), MN Healthcare Engineers Association (MHCEA), the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), Senior Member in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Chief Engineers Guild (MNCEG), American Waterworks Association (AWWA), MN Assn of School Maintenance Supervisors (MASMS) and a member of the IEEE Power & Energy Society.

     Phil is a registered non-code electrical instructor in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Alaska. He has authored a variety of classes to provide CEU’s to electricians in these states on topics involving electrical safety and power system analysis. In 2022, Phil received his certification as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) from the Minnesota Emergency Services Regulatory Board. Phil has been called to be a guest speaker on electrical safety issues by the MN Chief Engineers Guild, the Minnesota Mine Safety Association, Iowa Ready Mix Concrete Association, American Waterworks Association, and numerous clients and connections across the country.
     He, his wife Cindy, and brother John Haataja are co-owners/partners of safeHANDSystems, LLC, and reside in Central Minnesota.

Cindy Haataja is the Owner-Founder-Partner of safeHANDSystems, where she collaborates with her husband, Phil Haataja, and business partner, John Haataja. A summa cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cindy combines academic excellence with over 30 years of professional experience in credit, collections, and accounts receivable, with a specialized focus on property management and electric cooperative utilities.

As a results-driven and hands-on leader, Cindy is dedicated to applying her business management background to strengthen financial operations, deliver exceptional performance, and cultivate long-term trust with clients. She is committed to guiding the safeHANDSystems financial team in providing top-tier customer service and innovative solutions.

Outside of her professional work, Cindy enjoys spending time with family, fishing, traveling, shopping, and relaxing at her home on the lake in Central Minnesota.

John Haataja is an Owner/Partner at safeHANDSystems and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He brings more than 28 years of expertise in business process improvement, IT project management, and software implementation. His engineering background provides a strong technical foundation that supports his work in power systems analysis. John also trains workers to comply with NFPA 70E standards and is currently working toward obtaining his Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP) credential from NFPA.

In addition to his role as Owner/Partner, John is a registered Electrical Safety Instructor with the Minnesota Department of Labor and an active member of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). He is deeply committed to helping clients identify and mitigate electrical safety risks within their facilities, combining technical expertise with a passion for safety and operational excellence.

Courtney holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and brings extensive experience as a machine design engineer across multiple industries. Over the past decade, she has focused her career in the safety field and now serves as an Electrical Safety Engineer at safeHANDSystems. In this role, Courtney trains workers to comply with NFPA 70E standards and is actively pursuing her Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP) credential through NFPA.

Guiding clients nationwide, Courtney helps organizations achieve optimal electrical safety practices by understanding and applying industry standards. With a strong commitment to safety and compliance, she is dedicated to empowering people to prioritize safety and make informed decisions. She is also an active member of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Meet Ben, a seasoned professional who has been with safeHANDSystems for the past year, where he is making a meaningful impact by raising awareness around electrical safety. Drawing on firsthand experience from emergency calls involving electrical injuries during his 16 years as a volunteer firefighter—including 12 years in an officer role—Ben brings a deep commitment to protecting workers and communities.

Ben holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management and spent 18 years in the restaurant industry, including ownership of a national fast-food franchise. He also gained valuable experience in manufacturing as a CNC machinist before transitioning into the safety field. At safeHANDSystems, Ben trains workers to comply with NFPA 70E standards and is actively pursuing his Certified Electrical Safety Technician (CEST) credential through NFPA. He is also an active member of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).