Highly motivated and analytical ergonomics professional with significant expertise in implementing corporate based ergonomics program which positively impacted bottom line in reducing costs and improving safety by reducing ergonomic injuries. Thrives in independent or team setting. Strategic planner with proven organizational and implementation skills. Experienced in a wide variety of manufacturing environments. Proficient in Microsoft Office, NIOSH lifting, and Michigan 3D SSPP software.
ACCOMPLISHED IN
Ergonomics Program Development and Implementation
Ergonomic Injury Analysis and Reduction
Workstation Biomechanical Analysis
Office Ergonomics
Training
Safety Behavior Observation Programs
Quality Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2007 Contractor to Ergonomic Technologies Corporation
Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, Tennessee 1979 - 2003
Principal Ergonomist 1994 - 2003
Developed and led corporate ergonomics program efforts in Kingsport and other sites. Developed corporate ergonomics strategy, ergonomic injury assessment tools, documentation system, and performance measures.
Reduced cumulative trauma disorder and over-exertion injuries resulting in an improvement in the corporate ergonomic injury OSHAR incidence rate to less than 0.5 in 2003 from 3.0 in 1993.
Decreased ergonomics related Workers' Compensation costs to less than $30,000 in 2003 from almost $300,000 in 1993.
Pioneered Eastman's use of heart rate monitoring data to determine appropriate labor work standards in Acetate Tow manufacturing area and published related article in Industrial Engineering journal. Project reduced labor costs by $750,000 annually.
Developed corporate ergonomic protocols, assessment tools, training, and documentation to ensure compliance with any future potential OSHA regulatory action.
Developed office ergonomics program and implemented an effective assessment protocol.
Raised employee ergonomics awareness through live training sessions and development of online Intranet training classes. Developed ergonomics training for engineering design community.
Designed and programmed corporate Intranet ergonomics web site.
Quality Management Engineer 1988 - 1993
Internal consultant to Organic Chemicals manufacturing division on quality, team management, and empowerment.
Guided Organic Chemicals division efforts in Eastman receiving the 1993 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
Implemented control strategy systems and facilitated process control efforts which resulted in 10-15% gain in process control efforts. Improved process control contributed to 2% higher Class I product resulting in reduced costs of approximately $1,000,000 annually.
Led operator management teams in implementing equipment control systems. Percent of equipment data in control climbed from 50-60% to 95+%. Earned Eastman President's Award for outstanding quality contribution.
Developed unique QM process for batch chemical type operation to guide implementation of process control efforts and facilitate management oversight.
Project Industrial Engineer 1985 - 1987
Developed and implemented cost reduction and quality improvement projects in Filter Products and Polymers manufacturing divisions. Provided ergonomics support and technical consultation to other IEs.
Implemented projects worth approximately $500,000 - 750,000 annually.
Helped develop and teach initial QM training at operator level.
Human Factors Engineer 1979 - 1984
Investigated and implemented solutions to ergonomic and safety related problems involving equipment and job design.
Developed and taught ergonomics classes to 200+ engineers responsible for design work.
Developed Human Factors Guideline Manual for use as a company reference tool.
EDUCATION
University of Michigan
Ph. D. Candidacy Degree, Human Factors / Ergonomics, 1979
M.S., Human Factors / Ergonomics, G.P.A. 7.96 / 8.0, 1975
B.S., Industrial Engineering, G.P.A. 3.25 / 4.0, Cum Laude, Alpha Pi Mu (I.E. Honor Society), 1974
AFFILIATIONS / CERTIFICATIONS
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Certified Safety Manager by National Association of Safety Professionals
PUBLICATIONS
"Implementation Strategies for a Corporate Ergonomics Directive: The Eastman Chemical Company Story", Chapter in Applied Ergonomics, Volume 1, Engineering and Management Press, 1999.
"Assessing Work Standards with Heart Rate Monitoring", IIE Solutions, September 1998.