Gerald C.

Deschaine
L'Anse, Michigan 49946

gcdeschaine@gmail.com

Mobile (906) 250-4489

SUMMARY
Health Safety & Environment leader specializing in shaping organizations into world class safety
performers. I utilize measurable strategic sapoints of focus and practical tactics at all organization levels
to drive group efficiencies and reduce safety incidents, regulatory non-conformance and related direct
costs. Recognized by labor, management, regulatory and community groups for cooperatively creating
safer workplaces.
Positive record of continuous improvement using safety strategies, tactical planning and process
implementation to exceed organizational safety goals in general industry, mining and construction
sectors. Well versed in sharing safety plans and progress with internal personnel and professional
communication with external stakeholders.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES, Cleveland, OH
Oct 2009 Mar 2015
Sr. Safety Program Manager (2009-2016)
Global Operations Services manager responsible for developing, implementing and auditing safety and
industrial hygiene programs for company divisions. Collaborated with colleagues to jointly support
global mineral exploration and US, Canadian and Australian iron-ore and coal mines.
Implemented an operational efficiency process, managing the pilot program and subsequent
implementations of practical brief/debrief communication processes involved training and
mentoring all levels of salaried and hourly employees. Process utilization correlates with
incident rate improvements at five locations.
Developed transparent communication with daily, early AM accountability safety flash report.
All corporate and operations upper and middle management are alerted for all incidents
company-wide. Ensures that accountable parties initiate root cause analysis and provide timely
appropriate support for resolutions.
Direct involvement with establishing corporate and site crisis response plans. Utilized these
plans in response to the 4/29/11 F4 tornado that destroyed a coal wash plant at an Alabama
mine site. This resulted in having appropriate local and corporate resources in place to start
immediate site restoration within 12 hours of the event. This allowed uninterrupted safe mine
production and pro-actively established safety oversight for contractors during the plant
reconstruction.
Cliffs Site Safety Manager, Ishpeming, MI (2006-2009)
Managed 15 safety team members at 1,500-employee 2-mine location, driving down incident rate from
poor performance to obtaining the companys safest site award.
Developed 15 direct reports into safety professionals working as a high performance team.
Mentored 5S, green-belt, health and safety program projects to reach team objectives.
In 3 years, transitioned the 3.8 million man-hour site from having 3 fatalities within 9 months to
being recognized with Cliff's 'President's Award' given to the company's safest mine operation.
Incident rate during this time went from 2.53 to 1.42.
Successfully mitigated and avoided two MSHA Pattern of Violation charges using a unique
hazard identification and improvement process that corrected 9,000 findings.

Cliffs Coal Division Assignment, Adger, AL (2009-2012)

Served as an interim mine-site safety manager while implementing division programs and staffing
strategic safety personnel at 8 underground and surface locations with 2.2 million man-hours per year.
Directly involved with one mine shut down and rebuilding of mine systems in compliance with
MSHA approved mine plans and regulations for safe operations effectively avoiding a probable
severe regulatory sanction of MSHA Pattern of Violations.
Proved company intent for a safe work environment, developing an improved, effective working
relationship with the MHSA Districts that had not existed.
Implemented unique 'Audit Team' approach at each mine field to eliminate cite-able conditions
and influence safe work practices using experienced mine inspectors as mentors.
Worked directly with managers and crews to improve production efficiency and work
performance.
Coal division incident rates reduced from 9.17 in 2008 to 2.34 for 2014.
GUARDIAN INDUSTRIES CORP., Auburn Hills, MI
Oct 2002 Apr 2006
International Loss Control Manager
Corporate Loss Control specialist for an international manufacturer's workforce of 16 million man-hours,
providing self-insured cost reductions, site robotics safety design and a competitive advantage by driving
top-tier safety performance for 8 manufacturing divisions including raw glass, architectural glass, auto
glass and plastics, auto windshield retail, fiberglass, building products outlets and specialty glass. One of
four colleagues that managed and audited safety and industrial hygiene performance at dozens of sites
on five continents. Site work phases included new plant construction, major component rebuild and
sustained production operations.
Implemented culture change and proactive measures reducing worker compensation claims
from dozens per site to single digits, effectively moving reserved monies to business capital.
Developed safety programs and ensured performance consistency and quality by personally
auditing division sites on 6 continents. Company incident rates reduced from 3.65 in 2002 to
2.09 in 2006 versus the glass manufacturing sector benchmark of 6.5 in 2002.
Provided OSHA certified training to 73 international site safety managers.
Managed North American Industrial Hygiene program with hazard identification for focused
improvements and monitoring of highest risk profiles. These included sand mining and
manufacture of raw glass, glass coating, auto plastics, and fiberglass.
Corporate Workplace Response Team member focused on eliminating threats and workplace
violence. This professional team investigated and resolved 70 potential workplace violence
cases over 3 years resulting in physically secure sites with positive work cultures that allowed
employees to focus on efficient work processes.
NORTHERN HARDWOODS DIVISION, South Range, MI
Feb 1995 Apr 2002
Safety & Environmental Manager
Human Resource Generalist accountable for reducing company and employee risk exposure. Ensured
environmental soundness and compliance of 1,250 employees at manufacturing sites in five states.
Developed and implemented MiOSHA compliant safety and health program.
Managed site chemical pump and treat environment remediation.
Implemented culture change and proactive measures reducing worker compensation claims
from dozens per site to single digits, effectively moving reserved monies to business capital.
Introduced safety as a business model within an effective proactive continuous improvement
system driving incident rates from 15.5 to 2.08 in 3 years.
The site program was recognized by the site owner Mead Paper. This was the impetus for a
corporate-wide safety initiative that began in 1998 and extended to full implementation at all
U.S. Mead paper mills.

GUNDLACH CHAMPION, INC., Houghton, MI

Oct 1988 Feb 1995
Engineering Coordinator
Industrial & Architectural Project Scheduling and Resource Manager for projects throughout Upper MidWest region, ensuring company safety performance. Projects included university buildings, hospitals,
manufacturing, mining and municipal contracts.
Developed company OSHA and MSHA compliant safety program.
Ensured contract owner's safety expectations were met and exceeded.
Trained managers, job superintendents and employees on construction safety strategies &
standards.
As MSHA trainer, provided 9 union trades with mine safety training.
Dealt directly with contract owners, architects, engineers, estimators, sub-contractors, and
material and equipment suppliers.
Familiar with all construction phases, bidding, specifications and design-build construction
services.
Experienced in union and non-union labor settings.
RISSO BROTHERS EARTHMOVING, Stockton, CA
Jul 1986 Jul 1988
Project Manager
Estimated, scheduled and supervised regional government and industrial earth moving and open pit
mining projects.
Established and implemented Cal/OSHA Safety Program. This qualified the company to bid on
state and federal contracts. Subsequent projects were completed accident-free.
THOMPSON CREEK MINE, Carbondale, CO
Sep 1978 Jul 1982
Underground Miner
Underground coal production equipment operator, maintenance mechanic, mine rescue team member.
ALLIED CHEMICAL, Green River, WY
Jan 1976 Sep 1978
Underground Miner
Underground equipment operator trained in conventional, continuous miner and longwall mining
systems. Two years developing and pulling pillars with in CM. Mine rescue team member.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Management in Operations Research,
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 1986

CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Mine Safety Professional (CMSP)
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), member
MSHA approved trainer