Division of Industrial Relations Administrator announces two Chief Administrative Officer appointments

Las Vegas, NV - February 24, 2014

Division of Industrial Relations Administrator Don Soderberg recently appointed John Wanamaker as Chief Administrative Officer of Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Randy Jewett as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Division’s Mechanical Section.

 

The Mechanical Section, previously part of Nevada OSHA, was established as a stand-alone entity during the last legislative session. This will allow the Division to better focus on the unique safety issues related to boilers, pressure vessels, elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, personnel hoists, and other related equipment.  Stakeholders will be better served by working more closely with the free-standing Mechanical Section which can only serve to enhance public safety.

 

John Wanamaker, Nevada OSHA CAO

As the OSHA Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), John Wanamaker is responsible for managing internal and external relationships with private and public employers and employees statewide to regulate and promote workplace safety.  He has served as the acting CAO since July 2013.  Prior to that, he served as a safety and health trainer with the State of Nevada and training coordinator with Nevada OSHA.  Previously, he held a number of positions with the State of Washington including safety compliance inspector and supervisor.

 

Wanamaker has more than 30 years of practical field experience in the areas of workplace safety and compliance. He possesses extensive experience in the development and implementation of training programs both in the classroom and in the field.  He is a certified Safety and Health Practitioner with the State of Nevada Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) and a designated Associate Safety and Health Manager from the Institute of Safety and Health Management. He has attended more than 2000hours of technical and supervisory training.  


Randy Jewett, Mechanical Section CAO

Mr. Jewett’s appointment was effective February 10.  Prior to his appointment, he was the Construction and Modernization Manager at ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company in Salt Lake City, UT where he oversaw personnel, projects, budgets and inspections. Previously he was the Mechanic-in-Charge at ThyssenKrupp in Las Vegas and Mechanic at Dover Elevator in Salt Lake City.  He completed his apprenticeship training in Salt Lake City. 

 

Jewett has more than 35 years in the elevator industry. He is a certified OSHA-500 Trainer for Construction, holds an elevator mechanic license in both Nevada and Utah, and is a 42 year member of I.U.E.C. with over 80,000 hours vested.  He previously served as a member of the State of Utah Elevator Advisory Board. 

 

About the Division of Industrial Relations

The mission of the Division of Industrial Relations, an agency of the Department of Business and Industry, is to promote the health and safety of Nevada employees and ensure injured employees receive all benefits to which they are entitled. The Division includes the following units: Workers’ Compensation, Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Training Section (MSATS), Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) and the Mechanical Section. The Division maintains offices in Carson City, Henderson, and Reno, with additional offices for the Mine Safety and Training Section in Elko, Tonopah, and Winnemucca.

 

About NV OSHA

The State of Nevada, under an agreement with Federal OSHA, operates an occupational safety and health program in accordance with Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Initial approval of the Nevada State Plan was published on January 4, 1974, and final approval was published on April 18, 2000. The Nevada State Plan applies to all public and private sector employers in the State, with some exceptions, including, but not limited to Federal employees, the United States Postal Service (USPS), private sector maritime, employment on Indian lands, and areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction.

 

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Contact

Teri Williams
Public Information Officer
(702) 486-0407