Skip Sowards

About Skip Sowards

Professional with unique blend of field, project management and office management…

Experience

1. Safety Specialist

   Battelle

   Sep 2012 — Present · Boulder, CO, US

   Supports National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)’s commitment to the environment and safety of employees, authorized visitors, and contractors. Coordinates 20 Safety and Security Officers and 18 Chemical Hygiene Officers across the United States. Safety specialist during design and construction of 47 towers and installation of 34 aquatic sites. Prepared master contractor EHS plan for four national companies and specifics for each tower/aquatic site. Conducts pre-visit and construction safety briefings to include permitting requirements. Performs compliance audits and onsite training in more than 25 states to correct, train, and improve the EHS program. Often in remote and inclement weather. • Master instructor capable of developing any subject and deliver quickly to the field. Experience includes hundreds of classes and subjects from explosives, fall protection / rescue on towers, global harmonization, and driving utility vehicles in high altitude terrain. • Negotiated with OSHA and FAA with no citations due to enhanced programs and staff interest to comply with state and Federal requirements. • Works closely with risk managers to comply with worker’s compensation for employees in 20 states, prepare procedure to process, and submit workplace injuries. • Current instructor for first aid, CPR, and AED. Assist staff to use training to prepare for emergency events at the field sites. • Created idea and development of electrical safety training for domain technicians working with energized components. Coordinated 8 regional training sessions to provide instruction to 75 technicians using over 500 slides, practical exercises, and exams. Designed electrical safety awareness training for use with staff working near components but not performing pull and replacement (NFPA 70E).