John Olaechea is the Compliance Assistance Specialist for OSHA in Region VIII. He provides outreach and information about safety and health hazards and OSHA policies and regulations to employers, trade associations, unions, other organizations, and the public.

Prior to this position, John worked for eight years as an industrial hygienist and compliance officer for the Englewood Area Office of OSHA and has 20 years of experience in the EHS field. John also served in the United States Peace Corps (Guatemala) for two years and graduated from Wright State University (Ohio) with a degree in environmental health science.

JAs a Senior Safety and Health Consultant for 10 years, James is invited by employers to identify safety and health hazards in construction and general industry and provide confidential, comprehensive written reports detailing recommendations. He regularly completes over 100 safety and health surveys in a calendar year. James also conducts 10- and 30-hour construction and general industry courses and assists with the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

Previously James served as a UOSH Senior Safety/Health Compliance Officer for nine years, conducting safety and health inspections, including serious accident and fatality investigations. During this time, he served as team lead for Process Safety Management (PSM) inspections at Utah refineries, oversaw Whistleblower complaints, and assisted with the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). Prior to that, James worked for nine years as the Utah Labor Commission Reemployment Coordinator, assisting injured workers back to work.

James has a master’s degree in Administration from Brigham Young University and a bachelor’s degree in Forensics and Psychology from Indiana University.