DoD Safety Manager - USACE Compliance/Operations Manager

Ben Holt

SAFETY MANAGER

DoD & USACE Compliance Incident Prevention Specialist

Proactive Safety Manager with 15+ years of leadership in DoD, Air Force, and civilian sectors ensuring safety in high-risk, mission-critical environments. Proven success in implementing and managing Safety Management Systems (SMS), adhering to USACE EM 385-1-1 standards, and developing comprehensive safety programs across recurring maintenance and minor repair (RMMR) contracts. Expertise in risk mitigation, AHA development, safety auditing, emergency response, and regulatory compliance. Holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and multiple safety and logistics certifications. Recognized for driving safety-first culture and exceeding inspection and compliance expectations.

Core Competencies

USACE EM 385-1-1 & OSHA Compliance

Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Risk Assessment & AHA Development

Incident Investigations & Root Cause Analysis

Safety Audits & Inspections

Emergency Response Planning & Drills

Safety Training & Workforce Education

Fuels Operations & Hazardous Waste Management

Stakeholder Collaboration & Briefing

Education, Certifications, and Training

Bachelor of Environmental Science - American Military University, Charlestown, WVA 2018

Associates in Logistics Management - Community College of the AF, Montgomery, AL 2000

Associate in Human Resources - Community College of the AF, Montgomery, AL 2015

USACE Construction Quality Management Course 2025

OSHA 30 Hour Construction Course 2025

Basic Life Saving Course(CPR) 2026

Petroleum Logistics Management & Fuel Spill Response - Air Education and Training Command

DoD Operational Risk Management Course (Annual)

Responsible Officer Course - Defense Logistics Agency

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Course, on-line - Air Education and Training Command

Joint Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Course

Non-Commissioned Officer Course - Air Education and Training Command

BSM-E Fuels Accounting Course - Defense Energy Support Center

Fuels 7-Level Craftsman Course - Air Education and Training Command

Fuels Apprentice/Journeyman Courses - Air Education and Training Command

Clearance Eligible for Federal Background check

Proficient at MS Office, QuickBase, MS project, And RMS familiarity

Relevant Experience and Qualifications

Versar Global Solutions Inc., Greenville, SC. Jan 2025 – Apr 2026

SPD-A Safety Manager

■ Developed health/safety plans in support of Defense Logistics Agency Recurring Maintenance and Minor Repair Task Orders

■ Implemented health and safety programs in alignment with USACE EM 385-1-1 for DLA RMMR Task Orders.

■ Developed and enforced safety procedures, including AHAs, lift plans, confined space entry, and hot work permits, achieving a 99% approval rate.

■ Led audits and compliance checks to identify and correct deficiencies, ensuring all project sites met or exceeded federal and state safety regulations

■ Collaborated with project coordinators and managers, providing timely safety support for Versar awarded USACE contracts

■ Directed scope development, parts planning, and safety-compliant execution of service orders for petroleum facility maintenance

■ Prepared and enforced Safety policies for Preventive Maintenance, Emergency/Minor repair, for capitalized petroleum facilities.

■ Evaluates practices, procedures and facilities to assess risk and adherence to the law.

■ Monitored compliance with policies and laws by inspecting employees and operations.

■ Provided timely support to project coordinators and project managers in executing two USACE RMMR contracts.

■ Maintained a 99% acceptance rate of all required Activity Hazard Analysis, lift plans, confined space entry, hot work permit approvals ensuring efficient and rapid response to client requirements.

■ Developed scopes of work, parts requirements, promptly executing service order completion

Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, NC. Mar 2022 – Jan 2025

Wood Worker

■ Responsible for the safe construction and repair of wood transportation crates for all shipments leaving the base. Briefed daily safety moments to the team before work began, including regular equipment maintenance, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence to OSHA standards.

■ Oversaw daily toolbox safety talks and PPE inspections for shop personnel

■ Manages section personal protective equipment condition and inventory in accordance with Air Force Occupational Safety Division and OSHA-related guidance and processes.

■ Utilized Air Force Operational Risk Management concepts to identify workplace hazards, assessing risks, develop and implement controls. Once controls were in place, supervise and evaluations would solidify new processes.

■ Conducted training for Safety Stand downs. Keyed in on topics supporting mishap reduction initiatives. which enabled the team to share near misses and potential safety issues. Also coordinated with technical resources for implementation activities and safety measures in other departments facilitating an awareness mindset focused on identifying unsafe behaviors which could result in combat effectiveness.

Competency Training by Year

Operational Risk Management

Industrial Hygiene

OSHA Forklift Training

PolKat Woodworks, Pikesville, NC. Jun 2021 – Jan 2025

Self Employed/Owned L.L.C.

■ As a self-employed woodworker, I specialize in the safe crafting of custom wood furniture pieces, military shadow boxes, and awards. Safety protocols are essential as a lone woodworker. These include keeping the workspace clean and free of clutter to prevent tripping hazards, use of proper PPE, hearing protection, proper ventilation, dust collection, and using the right tools for the task.

Spearheaded the design and rollout of a targeted training program encompassing tool tracking, risk mitigation, safety compliance, and quality control—resulting in a 25% reduction in safety incidents and improved audit readiness across woodshop

■ Ensured strict adherence to safety procedures as a sole operator, including PPE usage, tool safety, and ventilation

■ Integrated Operational Risk Management and industrial hygiene principles into all woodworking activities.

Competency Training by Year

Operational Risk Management

Industrial Hygiene

OSHA Hearing Protection and Tool Safety Course

Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. Aug 2019 – Jun 2021

Section Chief, Fuels Operations

■ Served as the Section Chief for Fuels Operations at Seymour Johnson AFB. Collaborated and directed five organizations comprising 80 employees in providing essential refueling services and overseeing full life cycle construction projects and maintenance of fuel systems valued at $262M.

■ Responsible for implementation of Air Force Tool Control Program; provided essential guidance and procedures to manage tools with focus on foreign object prevention and awareness during airfield operations.

■ Understands ground and aviation fuel product safe handling and maintenance operations. Providing the ability to understand factors and foresee potential unsafe working conditions. Ready to act and establish prevention controls.

■ Oversaw fuel fleet operations; performed mishap investigation analysis, maintained records to compare and evaluate past data which enabled section to identify trends or common occurrences

■ Created all risk management safety paperwork distributed across both the project team and five organizations, 250 personnel in total, resulting in informed, well-trained people performing the mission safely.

■ Trained other unit safety personnel on how to improve fuel spill response plans, conduct safety audits, and Safety Hazard analysis, resulting in exemplary inspection results.

■ Project manager that teamed with various stakeholders, serving as the catalyst for safety & compliance issues, including the US Army Corps of Engineers and contractors. Ensured all project activities were completed in compliance with the scope of work, UFC and local regulations for a project worth $10.4M.

■ Conducted weekly safety audits for the installation of a new Tank Truck Offloading Point, ensuring compliance with safety & environmental standards during project execution.

Competency Training by Year

Daily Safety and Environmental Briefings

Conducted Safety Spot Checks

Pre-Con Meeting attendance

Work Center Orientation (Safety, PPE, etc.)

Fuel Spill Plans & Training

DLA Annual Fuel Spill Training

Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. Aug 2018 – Aug 2019

Fuels Manager (terminal Manager)

■ Oversaw the safe handling and delivery of 27 million gallons of fuel with a team of 80 personnel. Instructed them on proper safety techniques and procedures, satellite waste accumulation points, and proper fuels accounting measures.

■ Promoted a safety culture through the "Everyone is Safety" initiative, empowering all team members to halt unsafe operations

■ Planned, organized, and managed safety education program of safe fuel operations, Including safety hazard analysis forms daily. Mentored and motivated staff to enhance safety knowledge, skills, and recognition abilities. Ensured compliance with near-miss remediation, environmental, and regulatory standards, with a focus on people, quality, velocity, and cost.

■ Managed proper billing transactions totaling $87M and led projects such as the renovation of critical infrastructure within EPA and NEPA standards, safeguarding essential fuel testing elements.

■ Instilled “Everyone is a Safety” slogan that enabled team members, no matter the rank, to call a stop work in the case there were safety issues during fueling operations. This initiative enabled young airmen to speak up without repercussion, allowing for near miss and inter-team training and knowledge share.

U.S. Air Force Recruiter Station, Plattsburg, NY. Aug 2014 – Aug 2018

Enlisted Accessions Recruiter

■ US Air Force Enlisted Accessions Recruiter, that played a pivotal role in recruiting new talent for the Air Force within a significant geographical area, engaging with schools, colleges, and the civilian population to promote opportunities within the Air Force.

■ Recruited over 100 new contracts for the Air Force, including specialized roles and hard-to-fill positions, demonstrating my ability to analyze, plan, and adjust recruitment strategies to meet program objectives.

■ Drafted Safety Risk Analyses and conducted Safety Briefs with Accessions Branch recruiters before they left for daily onsite meetings. Safely drove over 5,000 miles throughout territory to accomplish the recruiting mission. Through community engagement and relationship-building, I marketed the Air Force and educated individuals on the benefits of joining the military.

Relevant Experience and Qualifications

Member, National Safety Council (NSC)

Advocate for Veteran Safety Transitions in Construction Fields

Member, Legion Post 11, Goldsboro, NC

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