Expert Details
Occupational Safety and Health, Hazard Recognition/Abatement, Citation Resolution, OSHA/MIOSHA,
ID: 727003
Florida, USA
He has spent over 24 years with the State of Michigan Occupation Safety and Health program (MIOSHA) as a field inspector and safety supervisor with the enforcement division. He also was a supervisor with the MIOSHA Training Division. The last 5 years with MIOSHA program he was the Division Director of the MIOSHA General Industry Safety and Health. He over saw the enforcement division to ensure that employers in the State of Michigan were in compliance with all safety and health standards. Expert has investigated all types of industrial type accidents and fatalities. He was the lead supervisor and over saw the investigation and inspection of industrial explosions such as wood dust, fireworks, and chemical processing. During these type investigations a number of MIOSHA citations were issued under the Process Safety Standard. He has conducted hundreds of on-site inspections with hundreds of work place hazards corrected.
He has developed and taught a number of training programs for MIOSHA staff, employers, labor, and associations. Some of the training material developed general machine guarding, powered industrial trucks, fall protection, lockout/tag out, permit confine space, hazard communication, mechanical power presses, process safety. Laser safety, conveyor, robot, firework safety (1910.109) and others.He has given presentations as a MIOSHA employee to Robotic Industries Association, Ford, United Auto Workers, Green Industry, management, labor, associations, and miscellaneous organizations. He has developed and issued a number of enforcement guidelines that are currently being used by MIOSHA enforcement staff today.
His areas of expert knowledge include various types of safety and health hazards found in all types of work places. He can be called on as an expert witness because he has testified in court and has given a number of depositions. He can explain OSHA or MIOSHA policies and procedures in detail. He can discuss the mitigation, control, and elimination of hazards and provide the needed training to ensure on going compliance. Expert has the following training certificates from OSHA Training Institute Course 309 Electrical Standards, Course 330 Safety and Health in the Chemical Processing Industries, Course 340 Hazard Analysis in the Chemical Processing Industries, Region V OSHA Process Safety Management Training, OSHA Advanced Accident Investigation. Attended Process Safety Institute located in Knoxville, TN for the following courses Level II Incident Investigator, Compliance Auditing for the PSM and RMP Regulations, Preventing Human Error, Understanding Codes and Standards for the Process Industries. Attended the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Houston TX for the
following course Understanding and Preventing Explosions.
Prior to his employment with MIOSHA he was a Local Union President with the United Rubber Workers located in Marysville Michigan. He can work well with unionized or non-union sites.
Expert was detailed from the State of Michigan OSHA program to assist Federal OSHA at Ground Zero World Trade Center working in the recovery area performing on-site inspection activities during the clean up, ensuring Construction Safety Standards were being used. Expert is Director of JB Safety Consultant LLC and is currently providing consulting services as a contract employee to a number of Safety Consulting firms that are located all over the United States.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1993 | Degree: Certificate | Subject: Confined Space | Institution: Eastern Michigan University |
| Year: 1994 | Degree: Certificate | Subject: Safety and Health in the Chemical Industry | Institution: OSHA Training Institute |
| Year: 1994 | Degree: Certificate | Subject: Hazard Analysis- Chemical Processing | Institution: OSHA Training Institute |
| Year: 1988 | Degree: Certificate | Subject: Ergonomics | Institution: University of Michigan |
| Year: 2000 | Degree: Certificate | Subject: Incident Investigator and Root Cause Analysis | Institution: Process Safety Institute |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2003 to 2009 | Employer: | Title: Division Director | Department: |
Responsibilities:This is the Division Director of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), General Industry Safety and Health Division. Expert was required to plan and direct specific departmental activities and, in conjunction with divisional management staff, reviewed and evaluated the work of program personnel to ensure conformance with general guidelines, methods, techniques, policies, and laws. Supervisory functions (staff of 90 employees) include approving leaves, conducting service ratings, counseling employees, suspending or dismissing employees, participating in employee grievance procedures, and the hiring and training of personnel.The general purpose and job function of the General Industry Safety & Health Division Director was to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses; to assure, as nearly as possible, that employees in all places of employment are free from exposure to recognized safety and health hazards and to improve the occupational safety and health of all working citizens of the state. He also directed the MIOSHA Employee Discriimination Section. The specific job function was to plan, organize and direct division enforcement activities to meet the outlined purpose and objectives in compliance with bureau and department policies and the legislative mandates in all places of employment in Michigan except domestic employment, maritime, and mining. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2003 to 2003 | Employer: | Title: Supervisor | Department: |
Responsibilities:This is a supervisory level with the responsibility of supervision of field Consultants that cover all areas of employer/employee safety and health. The Consultants have experience in General Industry Safety, Construction Safety, and Occupational Health. Expert reviewed time and accountability reports, field contact reports, travel expense vouchers and other paperwork that provides a system for monitoring and assessing work that is conducted by consultants. He also observed and assist consultants in the field, conduct performance appraisals, participate in management planning, and provide professional leadership and guidance to CET and General Industry field staff.Served on a number of Bureau Committees with the responsibility of implementation of the following programs: · Bureau of Safety and Regulation Emergency Response Team · Bureau Strategic Planning implementation Team · Bureau Consistency Team · UAW Ford Visteon Partnership implementation Team He was assigned the following special projects committees and/or assignments with CET Division · Michigan Safety Conference · DEQ/MIOSHA Regulations · Michigan Safety Conference · Technology Committee · BSR Info coordinator · BSR Newsletter “Today” · State Government Committee |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1990 to 2003 | Employer: Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services | Title: | Department: MIOSHA General Industry Occupational Safety |
Responsibilities:This is a Supervisory Level Occupational Safety Inspector with the responsibility of supervision of field inspectors. Expert duties were to evaluate and verify employee’s performance through the review of written inspection reports and/or viewing work techniques and perform annual performance appraisal using Civil Service format. Coordinate work by scheduling work assignments and establishing priorities and deadlines. Expert recommended changes in methods and procedures related to safety inspections and paperwork for a more effective use of time and resources. Expert conducted in service training programs for General Industry field inspector trainees, General Industry field inspectors, Health field inspectors, and CET personnel. Expert developed a number of training programs/presentations used for training. He supervised the most complex inspections. Coordinated inspection activity with different Departments, Divisions, and Agency’s both state and federal.Proposed the amount of fines to be assessed for standard violations. In a number of high profile cases had to present a briefing to both the Department and Bureau Directors. He attended meetings, conferences, and seminars as a representative of the division. He represented the Department at a Michigan Employment Security Commission appeal hearing. Expert was assigned to review and verify travel expense vouchers for the Department. He had the responsibility of the assignment of state vehicles for the GI Division. He served on a number of Standard Advisory Committees. Served on a number of Committees with the responsibility of implementation of the following programs: · Bureau of Safety and Regulation Emergency Response Team · Bureau Strategic Planning implementation Team · Bureau Consistency Team · UAW Ford Visteon Partnership implementation Team · Bureau Webb page Team · MVPP implementation Team · GI computer user group. This group had the responsibility of the implementation of the use of laptop computer for GI field staff. During the implementation of the Strategic plan was a member of a number of sub group’s working on the Five Year Plan. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1985 to 1990 | Employer: | Title: MIOSHA General Industry Occupational Safety Inspector | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert conducted work site inspections, conducted Investigations of work related accidents and fatalities and investigated employee safety complaints to insure that employer’s in the State of Michigan are in compliance with the Occupational Safety Standards, He attended hearings and pre-hearings, been involved in informal conferences, and trained new Safety Officers, in the field and in the classroom. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1975 to 1985 | Employer: | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert was elected President of U.R.W. Local 47 in 1975. Worked in solving problems between company and union. Worked in solving problems with the following Departments: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Public Service Center for Disease Control National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health State of Michigan, Department of Labor State of Michigan, Department of Public Health.His duties as the Local Union President were to supervise the activity of the stewards and members of the Union Safety Committee. He also was Union Time Study man, which he worked with the company in setting the proper work standards for the output of work. During this time he was involved in hearings with the State of Michigan [MIOSHA hearings] which he represented the Union Membership. He has the understanding of the grievance procedure including arbitration because he had to put together and present cases before different arbitrators. He also had to meet the needs of over 150 members of the Union in explaining Insurance and Pension benefits and helping these same people in getting the proper benefits. He also had to bargain collective bargaining contracts between the company and union so he has the understanding on how to understand contract language. During this time, he had the direct supervision of about 20 Department Stewards, three Chief Stewards, four members of the Safety Committee, and one member of Time Study Committee. Expert participated in case investigations, took time and motion classes, worked with members to advise them of benefit obligations under retirement, insurance, and civil rights. He took part in the development of work flow and organization charts, prepared for court presentations, a member of company Union Time Study Committee, member of the area AFL-CIO council, chairman of monthly membership meetings and attended community service classes. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2009 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Director | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provides loss control service to employers, other safety consultant services, expert witness, insurance companies, and self-insured programs.Services include audits/surveys with a written description of hazards and develop safety training on the specific hazards of your work site. Have provided expert advice and interpretation of OSHA/MIOSHA regulations to other safety consultants. Conducted safety audits throughout the United States. Areas of Expertise: Accident Prevention Accident Investigation All Workplace Safety Standards Law Firm Consulting Litigation Loss Prevention MIOSHA OSHA Safety Safety Management Safety Training Employee OSHA/MIOSHA Discrimination |
|||
Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1985 to 2009 | Agency: State of Michigan MIOSHA program | Role: | Description: |
| Years: 2010 to Present | Agency: MIOSHA General Industry Safety Standards Commission | Role: Appointed to serve on Part 33 PPE Advisory Committee as a technical advisor | Description: |
Career Accomplishments
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Certified by Process Safety Institute as an Incident Investigator Leader Certified by OSHA Training Institute for the following Hazards Analysis in Chemical Processing, Safety and Health in the Chemical Industry, Advanced Accident Investigation, Electrical Standards, Evaluation of Workplace Sfety and Health Programs Certified by Bureau of Safety and Regulation Asbestos Program for Asbestos Awareness. Certified by Bureau of Contruction Codes for Hazmat First Responder Certified by American Board of Industrial Hygiene Robot Risk assessment |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| Expert was appointed in 2003 as Division Director of the State of Michigan MIOSHA enforcement division. |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| Expert received recognition from the State of Michigan Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division for the excellent work he did on a MIOSHA case that lead to two counts of involuntary manslaughter against a Michigan firm. Expert received recognition from Total Petroleum for the excellent training provide to their Michigan staff on Process Safety Management. |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Expert can serve as expert witness or litigation consultant offering expert testimony, expert advice, litigation support, and related expert witness services for any workplace safety issue. Expert has testified both in court and hearings on MIOSHA safety standards and MIOSHA policy/procedures. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Expert has developed and presented hundreds of safety and health programs for occupational safety and health officers, employers, and employees in the State of Michigan. Presented twice at the Robotic Industries Association National Safety Conference. Developed a standard training program comparing the MIOSHA and OSHA conveyor standard at the Ford/UAW National Safety Conference. Expert developed and provided the following standard training to new MIOSHA compliance officers. Machine guarding, general rules, fall protection, personal protective equipment, process safety, mechanical power presses, metal working equipment, lockout/tag out, confine space, mills and calendars, chemical right to know, robots/lasers (General Duty violations), explosives (1919.109 and fireworks), and MIOSHA enforcement policy/procedures. Presented at the Michigan Safety Conference comparing MIOSHA General Industry Standards with the MIOSHA Construction Safety Standards. Expert was consulted on hundreds of other training programs that were developed by MIOSHA staff. Expert was a co-instructor at the Macomb Community College M-Tec Center for the MIOSHA Training Institute providing training on MIOSHA Standards General Provisions and Guards for Power Transmission. Presented at dozens of seminars explaining what to expect when MIOSHA visits. |
| Vendor Selection |
|---|
| Expert has worked with the Michigan Attorney General Office in preparing to present dozens of MIOSHA cases to the courts or hearings. Expert found and worked out the contract information f witnesses that were used to up-hold MIOSHA violations. |
| Marketing Experience |
|---|
| Expert has investigated all types of industrial type accidents and fatalities. He was the lead supervisor and over saw the investigation and inspection of industrial explosions such as wood dust, fireworks, and chemical processing. During these type investigations a number of MIOSHA citations were issued under the Process Safety Standard. Expert has conducted hundreds of on-site inspections with hundreds of work place hazards corrected. |
| Other Relevant Experience |
|---|
| Expert has assisted many companies in the resolution of MIOSHA citations, with excellent results regarding penalty reduction, lowering of citation classification, and protecting workers. |
Fields of Expertise
A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction Program, accident reduction, citation resolution, confined space safety, dust control, dust explosion, electrical hazard, electrical safety, explosion prevention, explosion protection, explosion safety, explosion safety and hazards analysis, explosion standard, eye safety, field inspection, fire safety code, Hazard Communication Standard, hazard control, hazard identification, industrial safety, labeling regulation, occupational safety, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation, Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard, OSHA inspection, OSHA labeling, process safety management auditing, workplace safety and security, abatement, construction accident, construction safety management, employee right-to-know law, expert witness, fall protection, federal safety regulation, hazard, hazard communication, industry standard, inspection, lock out tag procedure, materials safety data sheet, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, noise level safety code, noise standard, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146, OSHA 29CFR 1910.1030, OSHA 29CFR 1910.119, OSHA 29CFR 1910.95, safety code, safety plan, safety standard, incident investigation, employee protection, consensus standard, noise statute, bloodborne pathogen, auditing, equipment standard, equipment code