ERIC O'CONNELL
Winter Springs,FL
Summary
Versatile occupational health and safety director with hands-on expertise in multiple industries. Highly engaging team builder supports employee improvement and development in fast-paced, diverse workforce environments.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Safety Manager
Walt Disney World Central Shops Manufacturing
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Data driven leader, reporting directly to Central Shops Director for 300,000 square foot facility and its partners to develop and implement safety programs.
- Subject Matter Expert, providing technical safety program expertise in all safety domains, to include engineering solutions for prevention through design and wellness programs.
- Collaborated with management to develop company-wide safety policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Conducted thorough accident investigations through several root causes analysis methods to establish concise techniques and tactics which led to the elimination of the identified risk and prevented future occurrences.
Senior Safety Professional
Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
01.2018 - 08.2022
- Program safety expertise, execution and field support for incident reduction for day-to-day operations & 35 separate facility projects, reporting directly to the Magic Kingdom Director of Engineering Services, providing solutions to identified hazards from site inspections that resulted in Company's lowest documented injury rate
- Development of safety plans with corrective actions and safety process improvements to reduce, eliminate or control potential hazards for all maintenance activities and planned multi-million dollar rehabilitations at 40 attractions, 25 dining facilities, 25 merchandise locations and 40 parade vehicles
- Field support training with technical safety expertise for Occupational health & wellness, OSHA regulation & policy, Prevention through design, Industrial Hygiene, Ergonomics, Construction and Food Safety to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational illnesses for all Contractors operating inside the Magic Kingdom.
- Partners consistently sought out Eric's ability for bringing teams together during the most challenging tasks, resulting in multiple best year records for injury reduction and hazard/ risk elimination.
Senior Manager
United States Navy
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Directed management, training, and certification of Navy and Marine Corps Non-destructive inspection technicians for 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet(s)
- Served as the senior maintenance safety compliance Inspector who provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
- Managed, trained and directed 44 non-destructive inspection technicians, coordinated and prioritized the recertification of 8 technicians and the completion of 2,500+ maintenance actions
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones and deliver high-quality results for maintenance program & regulatory compliance site visits, providing oversight and industry best practices for program management to 9 tenant commands worldwide. Travel requirement was 50%.
- Served as Security Manager, guiding 180+ staff in the proper safeguarding and storage of classified material; implemented tracking methods and proactive engagement leading to zero discrepancies.
Training Manager
United States Navy
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Managed technical training and professional development within the aviation pipeline training and fleet requirements
- Served as Lead Safety Chief within a High-risk environment with a focus on team building and hazard identification.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive training program to increase employee productivity and morale.
- Monitored and evaluated training performance to determine quality and cohesiveness for 25 instructors at 2 training facilities, teaching 127 high-risk training classes resulting in more than 5,000 qualified personnel.
- Alternated training methods to diversify instruction, strengthen learning opportunities, and enhance program success that allowed for a 75% increase in master training certifications, through effective instructional technique modeling; curricula development, instructor evaluations; and formal course reviews.
Professional Internship
Disney Parks and Resorts
01.2018 - 06.2018
- Dynamic member of the Worldwide Safety team which supported staff members in their daily tasks, reducing workload burden and allowing for increased focus on higher-priority assignments.
- Gained valuable experience working within a specific industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations.
- On-site Safety Tech for large-scale construction projects, Galaxies Edge & Toy Story Land, completing corrective action plans that analyzed problems and worked with teams to develop solutions.
- Conducted research for various projects, leading to well-informed decisions and successful outcomes.
Division Operations Manager
United States Navy
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Managed material readiness and training
- Led the day to day scheduling, operation and utilization of aviation resources within naval aircraft squadron
- Directed professional development and multiple training programs and was instrumental in the standardization of safety practices within the aviation community
- Managed the training, scheduling, and tracking of 23 personnel and 10 helicopter flight groups, ensuring 100% completion of operational commitments, focusing on hazard elimination to minimize injury and property damage
- Contributed to the safe completion of 5,500 mishap-free flight hours; improved the material condition of spaces while savings thousands in upkeep and repair
- Completed more than 175 operations and 1,200 flight hours to ensure pilots and crews were properly trained for future operations.
Education
Master of Science - Human Factors & Behavioral Neurobiology
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL08.2025
Master of Science - Safety, Security, & Emergency Management
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond03.2018
Bachelor of Science - Aeronautics
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL08.2016
Skills
- Workplace inspections
- Contractor safety management
- Behavior-Based Safety
- Accident investigation
- Safety program development
- Training and mentoring
- Root Cause Analysis
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
Certification
- Graduate Certificate in Occupational Safety
- Certified Safety Professional
- Construction Health and Safety Technician
- Certified Food Safety Manager
- Lean Six Sigma – Green Belt
- Master Training Specialist
- A.B.C.H.S. Certified – Homeland Security (Level IV)
- Hazardous Material Control Management Technician
Timeline
Safety Manager
Walt Disney World Central Shops Manufacturing
08.2022 - 08.2023
Senior Safety Professional
Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
01.2018 - 08.2022
Professional Internship
Disney Parks and Resorts
01.2018 - 06.2018
Senior Manager
United States Navy
01.2015 - 01.2018
Training Manager
United States Navy
01.2010 - 01.2015
Division Operations Manager
United States Navy
01.2007 - 01.2010
Master of Science - Human Factors & Behavioral Neurobiology
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Master of Science - Safety, Security, & Emergency Management
Eastern Kentucky University
Bachelor of Science - Aeronautics
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University