Burkhammer comes to OSHA from the Bechtel Group, where he was principal vice president and manager for Corporate Environmental, Safety and Health Services for the past 10 years.
"I am pleased to welcome Stew Burkhammer as director of Construction Services," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "We are fortunate to have someone with his credentials. His vast experience in occupational safety and health complements our efforts to better protect the nation's construction workers."
Burkhammer is a former acting chairman of ACCSH, OSHA's construction advisory committee, with a long history of dealing with OSHA and occupational safety and health issues. He possesses a wide range of professional licenses and certifications, and has served in high-ranking capacities with numerous professional organizations, including CEO and chairman of the Board of Directors for the Safety Equipment Institute, member of the Executive Standards Council at the American National Standards Institute, and an elected fellow and member of the Board of Directors for the American Society of Safety Engineers. He currently serves as president of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
"After working for 40 years as an environmental, safety and health professional in the private sector, I am eager to use this experience in my new position with OSHA," said Burkhammer. "I'm proud to be a part of very important agency and I look forward to working with my new colleagues and the nation's stakeholders on making a difference for the continued well-being of America's construction workers."
As director of Construction Services, Burkhammer will oversee an office that provides assistance concerning safety and health program issues and manages a comprehensive outreach and training program to increase safety and health awareness in the construction industry and to reduce work-related accidents. His office, part of the Directorate of Construction, also maintains liaison with stakeholder groups to encourage their participation in various voluntary programs, partnerships and in the development of training programs.