John E. Garza
MERCEDES,USA
Summary
OSHA-certified Safety Technician with over 20 years of refinery and heavy industrial construction experience. NCCER CSST credentialed professional with strong knowledge of General Industry and Construction standards. Extensive background supporting permit-required confined space entry, energy isolation (LOTO), hot work permitting, elevated work monitoring, and contractor compliance during refinery turnarounds and maintenance operations. Field-experienced tradesman capable of recognizing high-risk hazards in petrochemical environments. Dedicated to zero-incident performance and proactive risk mitigation.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Laborer/Machine Operator
All Valley Sheet Metal
02.2024 - Current
- Conduct daily equipment inspections and hazard assessments.
- Enforce machine guarding and safe material handling practices.
- Promote housekeeping to prevent struck-by and slip hazards.
Laborer
Suburban Contractors
05.2025 - 11.2025
- Performed industrial surface preparation and coating on water towers, including abrasive blasting, rust removal, and applying protective paint systems. Operated blasting equipment, spray guns, and safety gear while following OSHA and industry safety standards. Responsible for setting up job sites, inspecting surfaces, mixing coatings, and ensuring proper adhesion and finish quality. Worked at heights, managed fall-protection equipment, and maintained clean, efficient work areas. Demonstrated strong attention to detail, safety awareness, and ability to work effectively in demanding outdoor environments.
Concrete Laborer
Packet Construction
01.2024 - 02.2024
- Mixing and transporting concrete. Reinforcing concrete with rebar and wire mesh. Setting up forms for pouring concrete into forms. Spreading and smoothing concrete using trowels and other tools as needed. Cleaned up job sites and transporting materials.
Boilermaker/Tray Mechanic
Koch Specialty Plant Services
01.2022 - 07.2023
- Performed confined space entry under permit-required conditions.
- Verified atmospheric monitoring prior to vessel entry.
- Executed blinding/de-blinding in compliance with LOTO procedures.
- Installed trays, packing, and PSV’s in refinery towers.
- Participated in daily JHAs and turnaround safety meetings.
- Worked under strict hot work permit system with fire watch controls.
Mechanic
Valley International Petroleum
04.2021 - 11.2021
- Worked with butterfly and ball valves. Checked valves and fraq tanks, loading and unloading diesel and jet fuel to the fraq tank. Unloading gas and diesel from trailers to the rail car. Also, had to communicate with drivers and check fluid levels in tanks.
Digger/Inspector
Osmose Utilities Services Inc
09.2020 - 02.2021
- Dug 50 light poles at 18 inches and come back from the start.
- Inspect light poles for any decay, termites or discoloration in the wood.
- Treated the wood with MP500 and backfilled the hole.
Truck Driver/Equipment Operator
James Powerline Construction
08.2018 - 09.2020
- Truck and heavy equipment operator.
- Laborer work such as installed new underground power lines and concrete setting for transformers being installed.
Boilermaker Journeyman
Bechtal Corporation
05.2007 - 01.2009
- Led crew during refinery construction and equipment installation.
- Oversaw rigging operations and structural steel placement.
- Enforced site-specific safety plans and OSHA compliance.
- Coordinated safe lifting practices and pre-task planning.
Mechanic/Boilermaker
Sulzer Tower Field Service
01.2006 - 05.2006
- Conducted vessel entry under confined space permits.
- Performed torch cutting and welding under hot work permits.
- Followed refinery atmospheric testing protocols.
Boilermaker/Tray Mechanic
Koch Specialty Plant Services
01.2003 - 11.2005
- Blinding and deblinding and packing install trays and demo trays. Able to use torch cutter and gauger as well as install PSV’s
Forklift Driver
Panasonic
02.2001 - 08.2002
- Drove gas and battery operated forklift to load and unload trailers for shipping and receiving.
- Stack products in aisles.
Education
High School Diploma -
Mid Valley Academy
MercedesSkills
- Permit-to-Work Systems
- Confined Space Entry (PRCS)
- Atmospheric Gas Monitoring
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
- Fall Protection Compliance
- Scaffold & Elevated Work Inspections
- Hazard Communication (HAZCOM)
- Contractor Safety Oversight
- Incident Investigation
- Near-Miss Reporting
- Toolbox Talks
Certification
- OSHA 30 General Industry
- OSHA 10 Construction
- OSHA 30 Construction
- NCCER Construction Site Safety
- Orientation (CSSO) Certification
- NCCER Construction Site Safety Supervisor (CSSS) Certification
- NCCER Construction Site Safety Technician (CSST) Certification
- NCCER Field Safety Certification
- NCCER Safety Technology Certification
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Laborer
Suburban Contractors
05.2025 - 11.2025
Laborer/Machine Operator
All Valley Sheet Metal
02.2024 - Current
Concrete Laborer
Packet Construction
01.2024 - 02.2024
Boilermaker/Tray Mechanic
Koch Specialty Plant Services
01.2022 - 07.2023
Mechanic
Valley International Petroleum
04.2021 - 11.2021
Digger/Inspector
Osmose Utilities Services Inc
09.2020 - 02.2021
Truck Driver/Equipment Operator
James Powerline Construction
08.2018 - 09.2020
Boilermaker Journeyman
Bechtal Corporation
05.2007 - 01.2009
Mechanic/Boilermaker
Sulzer Tower Field Service
01.2006 - 05.2006
Boilermaker/Tray Mechanic
Koch Specialty Plant Services
01.2003 - 11.2005
Forklift Driver
Panasonic
02.2001 - 08.2002
High School Diploma -
Mid Valley Academy
Safety Training
Safety Builders & Consultants, LLC