I am a Panamanian citizen, retired from the US Civil Service, with over 28 years of service with the US Army, in a civilian capacity, at Fort Clayton, a few hundred meters from the Panama Canal, in the Republic of Panama. I spent 25 of those years in the accident prevention and loss control field. The last positions held were those of Command Safety Director, at the headquarters of the U.S. Army South – Panama, with regional responsibilities for Central & South America and, the Caribbean Islands and; Safety Manager for U.S. Army Garrison – Panama, with responsibilities similar to that of a safety manager for a major municipal government. Prior to those assignments, I was an “OSHA specialist†for 14 years for the same employer and, I also worked for eight years for the US Army Corps of Engineers as a Construction Representative and Safety Officer with construction contract management, safety and, quality assurance/control responsibilities.
I’m leaving my forced early retirement status with the goal of being a Safety or Loss Control Manager or, to lead or collaborate with the safety and risk management activity of a mid to large sized corporation. I’ve reviewed your announcement and found it quite challenging and compelling to entice me to compete for a position through which my skills and expertise can be maximized to advance an exemplary system that fully supports your corporation’s goals wherein people and technology are truly integrated to meet and exceed world-class standards and objectives.
My enclosed CV reflects that I’ve been privileged to cover a broad spectrum of the safety management and construction quality assurance career fields. In addition to my work experience, I have completed requirements didactic training for college professors on adults’ learning techniques and, I’m completing a master’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, to broaden my knowledge and further document the experience I’ve earned in over 35 years of daily practice and achievements.
Although I’ve spent most of my career in service for the US Army, I will now need employment sponsoring because my previous status of unlimited entry into the USA with a B1/B2 visa, accompanied with an US Army “official travel order†sufficed at that time, but not today, to perform duties and assignments in the USA and Canada.
Upon your arrangements for an interview, in person or electronically, in English or Spanish, I’m confident I’ll be among your short list of candidates. I appreciate you are taking the time to review my credentials and experiences. Again, thank you for your consideration.
B. Employer:
United States Civil Services, US Army, Feb 1971 to retirement, Dec 31, 1999.
1. US Army SOUTH-PANAMA (USARSO), Safety Office, Aug 1994 – Dec 99
Command Safety Director/Garrison Safety Manager. Worked under the general supervision of the Commanding General as principal staff advisor on all matters of accident prevention, loss control and risks management, to include command’s aviation, ground and riverine forces, civilian workers and visiting public to USARSO/USSOUTHCOM military installations and, concurrently served as Safety Manager for US Army Garrison-Panama, which involves the safety and loss control operations and activities similar to those executed by a safety manager of a major municipal government. Served as the point of contact person with OSHA and the US Army Safety Center. In general, managed and stewarded resources to administrate a comprehensive safety and occupational health program, which is a 5 steps risk management approach that went beyond mere compliance, covering broad areas of assignment, program objectives and policy guidance, all geared to ensure meeting and exceeding program objectives and; compliance with applicable: US and host nations safety laws; Federal (OSHA/EPA) and Department of Defense regulations; and a myriad of host nations rules and regulations. Directly supervised four (4) safety managers [Ft Buchanan, Puerto Rico, JTF Bravo, Soto Cano – Honduras, US Army Garrison-Miami, and the command Aviation Safety Officer], seven (7) safety specialists and, several dozens of collateral duty safety officers – militaries and civilians. Monitored and evaluated the performance of supporting fire protection, environmental health and, industrial hygiene services. Was responsible for writing the major external and periodic safety statutory and regulatory reports for which I coordinated, compiled, and published our key safety documents. The duty involves the ability to communicate, plan and coordinate multiple simultaneous activities in close collaboration with people from many different departments and with different professional and cultural backgrounds. All documents were written in English and complied with standards for Army publishing and external guidelines.
2. US Army Garrison – Panama – January 1981 – August 1994
Safety and Occupational Health Specialist – OSHA. Designated lead safety specialist and subject matter expert on OSHA and other safety consensus standards related to general industry, maritime and construction operations applicable to garrison activities - responsibilities similar to that of a major municipal government. Replaced the Safety Manager during temporary or extended absences. Applied knowledge of occupational health, fire prevention & protection, environment protection & remediation and, safety theories, principles and practices, techniques and procedures, regulations, and standards to plan, develop, interpret, administer, establish and implement the provisions of the OSHAct; OSHA standards; host countries occupational health, environment and safety laws and; DoD and Army regulations as they apply to USARSO and USSOUTHCOM work and living places. Applied risks management and general engineering methods and techniques for the evaluation and resolution of unusual safety problems and; to lead fire protection, construction management, environment protection, preventive medicine, personnel management and training, quality assurance and control, hazardous material – transportation and warehousing, radiation and industrial hygiene personnel into the abatement of mutual and related hazards.
- As designated lead accident investigator and safety liaison with pathology and preventive medicine services, military police and criminal investigation units, investigated or provide for investigations of accidents – either personally or through an examining board; to determine accident root causes and, provided guidance and recommendations to prevent future occurrences of fatalities, injuries, illnesses, and, property and fire damages to equipment and facilities.
- Managed of composite hazards – for individual and groups, related to human engineering and behavior, and crowd control during public and recreational activities, to develop and prepare standard operating procedures and instructions, to compensate and mitigate hazards for unusual and specialized activities where precedent criteria are vague or absent.
- Developed, directed, provided oversight, managed and ensured implementation of safety and loss control training and education policies and procedures.
- Reviewed contracts’ performance work statements to ascertain there was no potential wording written into the proposal that would make the Government liable for concealed or current safety hazards in the work process or Government-furnished facilities or equipment.
- Arranged and conducted safety briefings and training meetings to inform unfamiliar tenders or bid-offerors with USARSO’s safety requirements and their responsibility for the safety of personnel and property, including OSHA requirements and the contractual requirement for the development and implementation of an accident prevention plan.
- Assured timely submission and receipt of contractually required safety, environment and fire reports. Obtained and verified written statements from contractors reporting incidents of loss, damage, destruction, or unreasonable consumption of Government property. Provided results of assessment to the contracting officer for determination of contractor responsibility and make recommendations concerning the contractor’s liability.
- Due to absence of building codes in Panama, ensured for the health and safety of Army personnel – military and civilian and, the general public, by enforcing compliance with DoD and Army guide specifications and supplemented guidance from US national and regional model building and construction codes. Assessed the type of construction, contents of the building, adequacy of fire protection equipment, and risks posed by adjoining buildings. Examined and inspected structures’ fire sprinklers, alarms, smoke control systems, and fire exits.
- Monitored and pursued resolution of consumer product safety issues, to protect personnel, military and civilian, and dependant family members, from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure or create unreasonable risks of serious injury or death.
Identified and evaluated potential product hazards or damage that could occur from product misuse and, detected premature failure of items, prepared root cause factors report for products and situations that do not fulfill their expected purpose, operation or service due to deficiencies in design, specification, materiel, software, manufacturing process and workmanship.
Generated and maintained records of facilities, equipment and vehicles defects to analyze quality deficiency trends and, expedited alerts and safety of use messages on critical items to segregate or freeze stock and provided instructions for loss control and to prevent mishaps.
Prepared hazards notification and product usage and precautionary label instructions. Forwarded findings and recommendations, as needed, to higher headquartes or to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Served as Building Code Enforcement Officer for all safety related building items, to ensure safe access and exits to temporary and permanent facilities.:
Risk assessed engineering drawings and specifications, pertaining to the design and layout of structures, equipment, and utilities to be installed or modified for review and approval.
Provided design oversight, steward compliance and enforcement guidance, for existing and new facilities, related to Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) requirements, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) to ensure and assess whether personnel and dependents, military retirees, visitors or potential hires with disabilities can access and exit facilities or, military installations or, perform their jobs without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.
Monitored construction and reoccurring facilities maintenance operations to ensure personnel compliance with safety design and work processes required by building codes and other specialized codes such as National Electrical Safety Code, National Electric Code, safe indoor air quality and workplace ventilation.
- Ensured that pressurized equipment, (compressed air and gas systems, boilers and compressed gas cylinders, etc.,) are inspected and performance tested before being placed in service and after any repair or modification and, ensured that inspection records and certificates are posted near the vessel controls or container prior to operation of the equipment.
- Coordinated, conducted and ensured that lifting devices, for personnel, materials and equipment, including elevators, dumbwaiters, conveyor systems, drill and pump setting rigs, specially insulated hoists for handling high-voltage lines, door- and hatch-opening equipment, amusement rides and equipment, vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating aerial devices, elevating work platforms, aerial lifts, and earth-moving and excavation equipment.were periodically certified, inspected and met applicable safety standards.
- Developed and staffed the USARSO Risk Management Program and, related policies and regulation. Applied appropriate risk management technology and software applications to identify, acquire and use information to assess the loss potential of a specific risk and, produce reports and related activities
- Risk assessed and analyzed internal operations and that of contracted services to identify vulnerabilities arising from the structure and activity of each function, particularly as it relates to potential catastrophic incidents, disruption of related services, liabilities and resulting claims.
- Developed and presented programs of risk improvements to internal and external customers to manage the risks associated with their business and activities. Effectively presented own position and listen to position of others, clarifying as necessary.
- Demonstrated an understanding of: the common causes of accidents at work and work related disease; sources of ignition and fire propagation features applicable to domestic, commercial, municipal and industrial buildings; trade processes and their controls with particular reference on the impact that the hazards associated with these have upon the health and safety risk; fire protection systems including passive protection, active suppression and detection installations; workplace violence’s, crime rates, malicious damage and natural hazard incidents and the effects upon properties and; security protection including physical precautions and preventative measures (such as intruder alarms, CCTV, security lighting, guarding etc).
- Periodically risk assessed playground parks and equipment to eliminate Army’s liabilities and to ensure they met and exceeded CPSC standards and locally developed safety requirements. Liaised with the Director of Sports & Recreation to monitor and periodically audit for the safe and risk free development and implementation of all sports and recreational programming, facilities and equipment related to leagues and other related programs.
- Provided safety evaluation services, education, and consultation consistent with applicable DoD and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards, policies, and protocols to determine the degree of compliance of medical treating facilities (2ea. community hospital and 7ea. troop clinics) with hospital safety, environment and fire standards. Reviewed findings and prepared response related to OSHA and Joint Commission accreditation surveys.
- Maintained oversight on disaster planning, emergency preparedness and management for Army operations, facilities and, the general community.
- Designed and implemented the safety protocol and checklist to surveys and abate hazards from Army facilities before final turnover to the Panamanian government in compliance with Commanding General’s intent and the Panama Canal Treaty requirements. This involved the decommissioning of nuclear and radiological facilities such as hospital nuclear medicine services and; the removal and transport to the US of several containers of unserviceable military radioactive devices and instruments.
- Designated safety specialist to assist USSOUTHCOM, USARSO and Army Corps of Engineers personnel to abate unidentified, unmarked and remaining unexploded ordnances (UXO) at US formerly operated bombing ranges in Panama - Empire, Balboa West, and Piña Ranges. Task included the development of written site health and safety plan, a comprehensive work plan, and personnel training. Evaluated progress of the UXO site characterization and removal plan. Examined the Site Safety Plan against the objectives of the US National Strategic Plan and the intent of the Panama Canal Treaty and implementation documents. Provided opinions and inputs to governance and coordination committee.
- Liaised management-labor safety issues and was the designated safety specialist for all collective bargaining safety requirements – to include: review, proposal and counterproposal of safety language for labor contracts and determination of “unsafe working conditionsâ€, on-site evaluator of workers’ unilateral exercise of OSHA’s “refusal to work†clause and related hazardous duty pay, ergonomics complaints, failure to return to work and disability allegations, and modified work environment programs.
- Served as lead Safety Specialist for migrant camps under the US DoD and State Departments executed human reliefs operations Distant Haven (Haitians – 5,000 refugees) and Safe Haven (Cuban – 10,000 refugees) illegally arriving to US Florida coast and temporarily sent to Suriname and Panama for immigration hold and processing prior to entry into the US. Included the selection of sites and layout of tent cities in both nations to provide for the safety of displaced people and others living and working in and around the camps.
- Conducted periodic risk assessments to equipment repair and industrial maintenance shops servicing and manufacturing parts for military unique equipments and vehicles. Included maintenance and repair bays for heavy construction and tactical equipment, aviation repair hangers, military boats and barges dry-docks, spray painting shops, weapons and munitions repair depots, facilities engineering shops and warehouses.
- Developed and supplemented process safety management work procedures and techniques to ensure the safety of personnel and environment from hazards related to: surface preparation and coating of military equipment with highly toxic chemical agent resistant coating; capture and recycling of spent fuels and chemicals from industrial processes such as a major laundry and dry-cleaning plant, the largest military intelligence photographing and mapping services in Latin America, the largest US military hospital waste program in Latin America and; the largest removal and remediation project of asbestos, lead and other hazardous contaminants from US operated facilities in the Panama Canal Area.
- Administered the drivers’ education program and the defensive driving training to include, all terrain vehicles and motorcycles.
- Provided accident prevention oversight for the implementation of the DoD Traffic Safety Program and the Department of Transportation Highway Safety Programs and, provided technical supervision and road safety audit to the developing and continuous improvement to the installation traffic safety plan.
- Prepared the safety segment of the winning submittals that contributed to the US Army Garrison-Panama to earn the Army Chief of Staff “Army Community of Excellence†Award, based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Total Quality Management and, the successful adaptations of OSHA VPP Safety System, ILO Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems, drafted versions of ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ANSI Z10, Occupational Safety and Health Management System, and, ISO 14001 Environmental Management systems.
3. US Army Corps of Engineers/Mobile District/Panama Area Office, 1974/81
Engineering Technology, Constructions Representative and; Safety Officer
- Served as resident construction official for the administration, supervision, monitoring and quality assurance & control of construction operations. Provided for constructability reviews, project management, construction-bidding assistance, value engineering evaluations, cost estimates and contract modification acceptance, shop drawing reviews and approvals and, design clarifications. Reviewed project plans and specifications prior to contract advertisement to determine practicability from construction standpoint; whether physical obstructions or other construction difficulties have been anticipated; whether materials specified are readily available; investigated foundation and borrow pits; developed and reviewed specifications for clearing of land, excavation, building access roads and utilities, construction offices, testing facilities, water and petroleum piping and storage tanks, equipment and material maintenance and warehouses storage facilities; conducted conformity assessment and verified certification marks on products submitted for approval and or substitutions to national consensus standards and specifications; developed sampling strategy and prepared samples for delivery to material testing laboratories – local and stateside; informed contractor of requirements concerning construction scheduling, progress reporting, safety measures, investigated need for contract change orders, considering conditions at work site; interpreted plans and specifications. Duties required application of engineering methods and techniques; knowledge of construction practices, costs, materials, and equipment; and; the
- As Construction Safety Officer, worked under the general supervision of the Resident Engineer for whom I administered the organization’s construction safety program to ensure a uniformed and consistent enforcement of the accident prevention clauses of construction contracts and the US Army Corps of Engineers safety manual. Developed a pro-active accident prevention program for policing hazardous conditions and unsafe acts and, maintained an environment of steady enforcement of the accident prevention clause of the specifications so as to carry the same weight and given the same strict attention as all of the other provisions of the contract. As a result, our organization earned in1981, an Army-wide, Construction Safety Award, for best overseas Construction Safety Program.
Contacts: Held daily and frequent contacts with commanders, managers, supervisors and employees engaged in all types of operations, administrative activities, combat and garrison soldiering and, general and specialized maintenance duties. Regular contact with outside agency personnel and consultants, to include foreign officials were not unusual, for purposes of information gathering, sharing, interpretation and contracting services.
Accountability: Although first line supervisors play the greatest role in safety accountability and we relied on our personnel to do what they are asked, however, as Safety Manager, I felt professionally accountable for overseeing the implementation and effectiveness of our overall safety program thus, stewarded resources for education and training programs, code research, safety file maintenance (training, tailgate meetings, accident investigations), related workers' compensation issues, and liaison with all trades' safety professionals, insurance professionals, and regulatory agency personnel.
Education and Training:
High School, Jose D. Moscote, Panama, 1969.
Panama Canal Zone Government, Apprentice School, Plumbing, 1971.
Universidad de Panamá, AS, Engineering Technology, 1973.
Nova University, BS Professional Management, 1983.
Universidad de Panamá:
Faculty of Education, Post Undergraduate Program, Adults’ Learning, 2000
Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, MS Public Health (Occupational Health and Safety), thesis pending.
Instructor Qualification for: Defensive Driving, First Aid and CPR, Confined Spaces, Asbestos Abatement, Fall Protection and Scaffolding.
Former and Present Professional memberships
American Society of Safety Engineers
National Fire Protection Association
Southwestern Association of Technical Accident Investigators
National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials
Panama Canal Area Federal Safety, Health and, Fire Protection Council
Consejo de Seguridad, Salud y Medio Ambiente de Panamá. - COSSMAP
Languages
Bilingual -- English and Spanish
Community activities
Panama Scouts Association (Boy and Girl Scouts in one organization), Executive board of directors. 1991 - 2003
Panama Scouts’ Foundation, President. 2000 – to present.
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