Director of Environmental, Health and Safety

Edwin Varela

La Puente, CA Email: **********@*****.***

323-***-**** https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinvarela SUMMARY

Accomplished and results driven professional with years of extensive experience in managing safety, regulatory compliance and environmental issues for manufacturing operations. Recognized for professionalism, commitment to excellence, and demonstrated ability to communicate and work with senior management, associates, and customers. Have excellent interpersonal skills, able to collaborate effectively with co-workers at all levels. Self-motivated and can work independently or in a team. Highly effective in implementing EHS programs aligned with continuous improvement/lean utilizing leading indicators, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and management systems. Experience in culture change, management systems, and deploying lean tools within EHS and Operations. Bilingual: English/Spanish. Other strengths include solid communication, problem- solving skills, personal training, and quick adapting to change.

Ergonomics Standard Work/5S Black Belt

Multi-Site Facility Management Worker’s Compensation Compliance

Risk management / Loss Prevention Product Compliance PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

KAVO KERR GROUP (A DANAHER CORPORATION), Orange, CA 2006 - 2016 A world leader in developing and commercializing innovative, high-quality treatment solutions in restorative, endodontics and infection control.

Director of Environmental, Health and Safety

Directed health, safety, and environmental standards for the West Coast Region, Mexico and Brazil, implementing strategies and metrics to improve health and safety program performance, reducing variability and creating more standardization across all sites.

Spearheaded Self-Insured Worker’s Compensation Program for the US with hands-on approach significantly decreasing claims and reducing Workers’ Compensation cost by $1.6 million.

Participated and facilitated quarterly Worker’s Compensation review with company contracted attorneys, claims adjusters, HR, and nurses to expedite and closeout open cases to reduce exposure.

Recent successes include a 36% reduction of pending claims during calendar year 2015 and a 31% reduction in open incurred dollars during that same timeframe. From a new loss standpoint, there was a 44% drop in new claim frequency during calendar year 2015.

Implemented proactive ergonomic programs such as Early Symptom Reporting to aid in the early detection of minor musculoskeletal disorders and treat its symptoms through early interventions.

Reduced injury rates by 65% through active employee engagements, improved injury management, and early system reporting.

Edwin Varela Page 2

Designed and implemented EHS programs at Corporate and plant level, (e.g., IIP Program, Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Hearing Conservation, etc.) reducing injuries companywide.

Fostered and developed caring and safety culture to prevent at-risk behaviors, aiming for a zero accident KPI.

Partnered with sites Leadership teams to develop site EHS Key Priorities, Drivers and Activities with KPIS to drive Site EHS performance improvement, aligning with Corporate Strategies, Programs &Plans with the objective of sustainable World Class EHS performance.

Reduced regulatory risk by revising and authoring more than 1000 outdated Safety Data Sheets and labels for the company platform to comply with the Global Harmonized System; authored Safety Data Sheets for new product development across all the divisions. LENNOX HEARTH PRODUCTS, Lynwood, CA 2000 - 2006

A leading provider of high-efficiency packaged rooftop units, split systems, HVAC controls, furnaces and indoor air quality products for the light commercial industry. Environmental, Health & Safety Manager

Promoted safety working conditions and practices aimed at reducing industrial injuries, illnesses, property damage, worker’s compensation and general liability losses. Managed EHS job functions such as Hazard Assessments, MSDS review, Facility Modifications, materials and equipment inspection, Spill Response Plans, Hazardous Materials Business Emergency Plans (HMBEP), Disaster Preparedness Plans, Facility Compliance Evaluations (FCE’s), Respiratory Protection Plans, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plans (SPCC), etc.

Implemented and maintained company policies adhering to local, state and federal environmental, health and safety regulations, leading to reduced injury rate companywide.

Chaired safety committee meetings and established timetables and performed follow-up compliance activities.

Coordinated all near-miss and injury investigations to derive root cause and develop effective countermeasures.

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix, Torrance, CA Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, California State University, Los Angeles, CA Associate Degree, Legal Assistant/Paralegal, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles, CA PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)

Phylmar Regulatory Roundtable Group

National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM)

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