McKenzie Thomas
Wyatt Construction
Opelousas,LA
1
Certification
13
years of professional experience
Results-driven Safety Professional with field experience supporting construction, industrial, and mission-critical projects. Experienced in managing site safety operations, enforcing OSHA compliance, conducting hazard assessments, leading incident investigations, and implementing effective risk mitigation strategies. Proven ability to oversee subcontractors and multiple trades, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, excavation, crane and rigging, and heavy equipment installation. Skilled in developing job hazard analyses, conducting safety audits, delivering toolbox talks, and promoting a proactive safety culture. Committed to protecting personnel, preventing workplace incidents, and ensuring safe, efficient project execution.
Work History
Safety Manager
1 Year 11 Months- Managed daily construction site safety operations to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company policies, and project-specific safety requirements.
- Conducted routine site inspections, hazard assessments, and safety audits to identify unsafe conditions and implement corrective actions.
- Developed and reviewed Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and Pre-Task Plans (PTPs) to ensure hazards were identified and controlled before work began.
- Oversaw subcontractor safety performance and coordinated with project managers, superintendents, foremen, and trade partners to maintain a safe working environment.
- Led daily toolbox talks, safety orientations, workforce training, and safety stand-downs to reinforce safe work practices and employee accountability.
- Monitored high-risk activities, including crane and rigging operations, elevated work, material handling, excavation, trenching, and heavy equipment operations.
- Enforced fall protection, lockout/tagout (LOTO), electrical safety, confined space, hot work, and permit-to-work requirements as applicable to project activities.
Safety Manager
2 Years 10 Months- Managed daily field safety operations on construction projects, ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and project-specific requirements.
- Oversaw subcontractors and multiple construction trades to ensure safe execution of excavation, site preparation, mechanical installation, and general construction activities.
- Conducted daily jobsite inspections, hazard assessments, and safety audits to identify unsafe conditions and implement corrective actions.
- Developed and reviewed Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and Pre-Task Plans (PTPs) to identify hazards and establish appropriate control measures before work began.
- Monitored excavation and trenching operations, underground utility installations, soil conditions, access and egress, and protective systems to ensure safe work practices.
- Coordinated with project managers, superintendents, foremen, and subcontractors to address safety concerns and maintain compliance with project safety standards.
- Led daily toolbox talks, safety orientations, and workforce training covering hazard recognition, PPE, fall protection, equipment operation, and safe work procedures.
- Monitored crane and rigging activities, heavy equipment operations, material handling, and equipment installation to ensure compliance with applicable safety requirements.
- Enforced fall protection, electrical safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), barricading, and other hazard control measures as applicable to site operations.
- Investigated incidents, near misses, and property damage events; performed root cause analyses and developed corrective and preventive action plans.
- Implemented Stop Work Authority when hazardous conditions or unsafe work practices presented unacceptable risks to personnel.
- Verified proper use and inspection of personal protective equipment, power tools, heavy equipment, and other jobsite safety equipment.
- Maintained safety documentation, inspection records, training logs, incident reports, and corrective action tracking.
- Coordinated with field leadership to plan high-risk work activities, communicate changing site conditions, and establish effective risk mitigation strategies.
- Promoted a proactive safety culture through employee engagement, subcontractor accountability, field coaching, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Permit Writer
3 Years 8 Months- Prepared, reviewed, and issued work permits for refinery maintenance, construction, and industrial activities in accordance with site-specific safety procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Coordinated with operations personnel, maintenance supervisors, contractors, and safety teams to ensure work activities were properly authorized before commencement.
- Evaluated job scopes and identified potential hazards associated with hot work, cold work, confined space entry, line breaking, excavation, and other high-risk activities.
- Verified completion of required hazard assessments, Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) before permit approval.
- Coordinated atmospheric testing requirements, including oxygen levels, combustible gases, and toxic gases, such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), when applicable.
- Verified required energy isolation, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), equipment de-energization, depressurization, and process isolation requirements with authorized refinery personnel.
- Confirmed that appropriate fire prevention measures, fire watches, gas monitoring, barricades, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements were addressed before work began.
- Reviewed permit conditions and communicated job-specific hazards, control measures, and emergency procedures to affected personnel and work crews.
- Coordinated confined space entry permits, ensuring required entry procedures, atmospheric testing, attendants, communications, and rescue arrangements were established.
Safety Technician
4 Years 8 Months- Provided field safety support for refinery heater maintenance, repair, turnaround, and construction activities in accordance with site-specific safety procedures and applicable OSHA regulations.
- Conducted routine jobsite inspections to identify hazards associated with heater operations, maintenance activities, hot work, and industrial equipment.
- Reviewed Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and Pre-Task Plans (PTPs) to verify hazards were identified and appropriate controls were established before work began.
- Monitored hot work activities, including welding, cutting, grinding, and other spark-producing operations, to ensure compliance with refinery safety requirements.
- Verified implementation of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), equipment isolation, depressurization, and energy-control procedures in coordination with authorized personnel.
- Supported confined space entry activities involving heaters, vessels, and associated equipment by verifying required permits, atmospheric testing, attendant coverage, and entry controls were in place.
- Monitored atmospheric testing requirements for oxygen levels, combustible gases, and toxic gases, including hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), when applicable.
- Inspected work areas for proper barricading, fire protection, fire watch coverage, housekeeping, and personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance.
- Monitored scaffold access, ladder use, fall protection systems, and elevated work activities associated with heater maintenance and repair.
Education
Associate of Science - Occupational Safety & Health
Skills
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
Crane
Rigging & Critical Lift Safety
Fall Protection & Elevated Work Safety
Excavation
Trenching & Underground Utilities Safety
Electrical Safety & Energized Work Awareness
Confined Space Entry Safety
Hot Work & Fire Prevention
Material Handling & Ergonomics
Heavy Equipment & Mobile Elevated Work Platform Safety
Heat Stress Prevention & Hydration Management
Emergency Response & Evacuation Procedures
Injury Reporting
Documentation & Recordkeeping
OSHA Recordability & Workers’ Compensation Coordination
Mechanical
Plumbing & HVAC Installation Safety
Certification
- OSHA 30
- First Aid/CPR
- EM 385
- Hazwoper 40
- NCCER-CSST
- OSHA 510
Timeline
Safety Manager
Wyatt Construction
11.2024 - CurrentRead More
Safety Manager
Aldridge Electric
11.2021 - 09.2024Read More
Permit Writer
JLG
02.2018 - 10.2021Read More
Safety Technician
Turner Industries
06.2013 - 02.2018Read More
Columbia Southern University
Associate of Science from Occupational Safety & Health
Read More