Heather Gardner
White Lake Township,MI
Summary
Accomplished Senior Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist with extensive experience in manufacturing environments, regulatory compliance, risk reduction, and safety culture transformation. Proven success leading multi-site EHS programs, enhancing OSHA/EPA compliance, reducing incident rates, and building strong cross-functional partnerships. Recognized for strengthening safety culture, executing continuous improvement initiatives, and implementing ISO-aligned systems. Skilled in root-cause analysis, training program development, sustainability, and strategic EHS planning.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist
Eberhard Manufacturing
Strongsville, OH
02.2024 - Current
- Lead EHS regulatory compliance across the facility, ensuring alignment with OSHA, EPA, and state/local regulatory requirements.
- Serve as the technical EHS expert, interpreting regulations, creating policies, and reducing organizational risk by proactively addressing compliance gaps.
- Conduct facility-wide risk assessments, hazard analyses, and continuous improvement reviews using PDCA, Kaizen, and root-cause methodologies.
- Strengthen safety culture by leading safety initiatives, conducting safety Gemba walks, and partnering with leadership to drive safe behaviors.
- Investigate incidents, near-misses, and non-recordables and implement corrective/preventive actions to prevent recurrence.
- Manage EHS metrics and dashboards-DART, TRIR, audit findings-and present performance trends to executive leadership.
- Lead environmental compliance activities including ISO 14001 alignment, waste management, stormwater, air quality monitoring, and energy-reduction initiatives.
- Maintain and execute emergency response plans, conduct drills, and coordinate with external emergency responders.
- Develop and deliver EHS training programs including new-hire orientation, PPE assessments, job-specific training, and supervisor-level EHS requirements.
- Collaborate with Eastern Company subsidiaries to align standards and support corporate EHS initiatives.
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Specialist
Big 3 Precision Products
Dearborn, MI
02.2022 - 11.2024
- Led EHS programs across five multi-shift facilities supporting 400+ employees, reporting directly to the company President.
- Improved regulatory compliance, reducing legal exposure by 15% through proactive policy updates and audits.
- Enhanced welding safety by improving ventilation, PPE usage, and equipment inspection programs.
- Developed and delivered 60+ EHS training sessions, increasing knowledge retention by 45%.
- Conducted incident investigations and implemented corrective actions that reduced repeat incidents.
- Partnered with external emergency services to improve response readiness and communication protocols.
- Performed environmental compliance inspections related to hazard communication, chemical labeling, waste management, and stormwater.
Instructional Support Specialist / Paraprofessional - Photography
Oakland Community College
Royal Oak, MI
08.2015 - 02.2022
- Supported classroom and lab operations, ensuring 100% MIOSHA compliance with zero safety incidents.
- Maintained equipment, trained students on safe handling procedures, and supported faculty across photography and digital media programs.
- Reduced supply costs by 10% through improved inventory management and purchasing controls.
Logistics Supervisor
Precision Coatings Inc.
Commerce, MI
09.1995 - 08.2015
- Led logistics team operations, improving shipping accuracy and throughput by 15%.
- Implemented safety training for all new employees, reducing violations by 20%.
- Maintained equipment calibration programs and reduced downtime by 25%.
- Optimized workflow and storage, increasing usable space by 18% and reducing retrieval time by 22%.
- Spearheaded internal audits and corrective actions, reducing operational costs by 15%.
- Maintained 6S compliance at 98% audit scores.
Education
BA - Business
Wayne State University
01.2018
AA - Liberal Arts
Oakland Community College
01.2015
Skills
- OSHA & EPA Regulatory Compliance
- Risk Assessments
- JHA
- RCRA
- Hazard Communication
- Incident Investigation
- Root Cause Analysis
- EHS Training Program Development
- ISO 14001
- ISO 9001 Systems
- Emergency Response Planning
- Environmental Sustainability Initiatives
- Safety Gemba Walks
- Kaizen
- Continuous Improvement
- PPE Program Development
- Metrics
- KPI Dashboarding
- Air Monitoring
- Waste Management
- Stormwater
- SPCC
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Safety training
- Risk assessment
- Policy writing
- Environmental management
- Regulatory compliance
Certification
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
• CPR / First Aid / AED
• CSP / CHMM, In Progress
• CPR / First Aid / AED
• CSP / CHMM, In Progress
Timeline
Senior Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist
Eberhard Manufacturing
02.2024 - Current
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Specialist
Big 3 Precision Products
02.2022 - 11.2024
Instructional Support Specialist / Paraprofessional - Photography
Oakland Community College
08.2015 - 02.2022
Logistics Supervisor
Precision Coatings Inc.
09.1995 - 08.2015
BA - Business
Wayne State University
AA - Liberal Arts
Oakland Community College