Thatcher Block
Waterloo,IA
Summary
Results-focused leader successful at promoting safety programs and mentoring individuals on ways to avoid mishaps and accidents. History of championing program training in various organizations throughout well-established career. Well-established occupational health and safety specialist offering more than 20 years of expertise. Exceptional experience in safety and compliance inspections. Known for excellent communication skills and knowledge in safety and compliance.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
VP of Safety & Compliance
Viafield
Charles City, IA
09.2020 - Current
- Inspected worksites, practices and gear for compliance with established safety standards..
- Responded to any emergencies as instructed and with utmost efficiency.
- Recognized, documented and advised on removal of hazards.
- Provided assistance in managing health and safety programs aligned with industry standards.
- Developed safety training procedures and authored manuals for distribution to staff members.
- Implemented safety training and traffic safety instructional courses which bolstered improvements in safety culture across personnel groups.
- Designed programs, policies, and procedures that were implemented to reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and hazards.
- Wrote, coordinated and delivered mass educational briefings focused on occupational accident trends and prevention.
- Reduced safety incidents by 25% by training and teaching risk management techniques, hazard identification, quality checks and documentation.
- Streamlined and directed occupational safety trend and current hazards analyses.
- Performed as safety consultant for location managers to deliver expertise in safety criteria, technical directives and operational methods.
- Used benchmarks like units built per injury and contract amounts per injury to assess program success.
EHS Manager
Landus
Ames, IA
03.2019 - 09.2020
- Provided new-employee health and safety orientations and developed materials for presentations.
- Identified accident causes and optimal prevention strategies by conducting thorough investigations and analyses.
- Recommended measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes and materials.
- Developed recommendations to reduce hazards by improving gear, behaviors and procedures.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Director of Safety & Compliance
Innovative Ag Services
Monticello, IA
03.2011 - 03.2019
- Used benchmarks like units built per injury and contract amounts per injury to assess program success.
- Maintained company compliance with local, state and federal standards.
- Developed and implemented safety tracking, training and management programs for 34 locations.
- Helped to build culture of safety focused on reducing incidents and eliminating hazards.
- Inspected worksites, practices and gear for compliance with established safety standards.
- Collaborated with operations management to keep equipment in good working order, replace worn items and plan updates.
- Provided assistance in managing health and safety programs aligned with industry standards.
Agronomy Sales
Dunkerton Cooperative Elevator
Dunkerton, IA
03.2009 - 01.2011
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
- Resolved problems with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.
- Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals.
- Managed accounts to retain existing relationships and grow share of business.
- Created and implemented new business opportunities by utilizing strategic networking strategies.
Loss Control & Safety Manager
Sears Holdings Corporation
Waterloo, IA
05.1997 - 03.2009
- Upheld strict security and safety procedures to protect business from financial losses due to theft or careless mismanagement.
- Introduced and implanted viable loss control strategies by maintaining strong partnerships and trust with customers.
- Prepared reports for clients and underwriters regarding property loss features and recommendations for improvement and future needs.
- Increased company understanding of loss control strategies through on-site client training seminars and implementation of new programs.
Site Security Manager
NightHawk Security Agency
Cedar Rapids, IA
07.1995 - 05.1997
- Kept team compliant with security protocols and appearance standards.
- Recorded incident reports with detailed accounts of occurrences.
- Investigated incidents and wrote reports.
- Oversaw team of security officers and managed scheduling and performance evaluations.
- Worked in fast-paced and high-risk environments while maintaining exceptional standards of excellence for security programs, strategies and plans.
Education
High School Diploma -
Union High School
La Porte City, IA05.1994
Skills
- Risk Identification
- Government Regulations
- Prevention Strategies
- Regulation and Compliance
- Staff Meetings
- Safety Program Development
- DOT Compliance
- Compliance Management
- Safety and Risk Assessments
- Corrective Actions
- Statistical Trends
- Accident Analysis
Accomplishments
- Planned and implemented the company-wide rollout of a proactive safety and health target program, partnering with field management and supervisory staff, and effectively reduced overall accidents by 25%.
- Supervised team of 3 staff members.
Certification
- OSHA 10 hour Training
- HAZWOPER Training
- Certified Interview/Interrogations Techniques
- CPR/First-Aid/AED Training
- Certified Commerical Applicator
Additional Information
Iowa PERC Board Member - Term Expires 2023
Iowa Propane Gas Association Safety Advisory Committee Member - Current
National Education Center for Ag Safety Board of Directors - 2015-Current
Ag Cooperative Safety Director's of Iowa Board of Directors - Current
Ag Cooperative Safety Director's of Iowa President - 2015
Ag Cooperative Safety Director's of Iowa Vice-President - 2013-2015
Timeline
VP of Safety & Compliance
Viafield
09.2020 - Current
EHS Manager
Landus
03.2019 - 09.2020
Director of Safety & Compliance
Innovative Ag Services
03.2011 - 03.2019
Agronomy Sales
Dunkerton Cooperative Elevator
03.2009 - 01.2011
Loss Control & Safety Manager
Sears Holdings Corporation
05.1997 - 03.2009
Site Security Manager
NightHawk Security Agency
07.1995 - 05.1997
High School Diploma -
Union High School