Honorable
Gerard F. Scannell
Class of 1994
Background:
The Honorable Gerard F. Scannell was born in Boston, Massachusetts,
in 1934, one of four children. Upon graduation from high school,
Mr. Scannell attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy,
where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1955.
He served in the U.S. Navy as an explosive and nuclear weapons
disposal officer from 1955 to 1958. Mr. Scannell attended
George Washington University from 1976-77 where he studied
epidemiology and environmental economics.
Professional
Experience:
Mr. Scannell returned to Johnson and Johnson in 1992 as vice
president of corporate safety affairs, with worldwide responsibility.
In 1989 President George Bush nominated Mr. Scannell to be
assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA). He was confirmed for the position
by the United States Senate in October 1989. Prior to this,
Mr. Scannell served as director of corporate safety/fire/environmental
affairs at Johnson and Johnson, where he was responsible for
plant safety worldwide. Before joining Johnson and Johnson,
Mr. Scannell served in various positions at OSHA headquarters
in Washington, D.C.
Career
Highlights:
Mr. Scannell established himself as a pioneer in the field
of safety early in his professional life. While serving in
the U.S. Navy as an explosive and nuclear weapons disposal
officer, he had the distinction of being the first person
to successfully disarm and dispose of an armed sidewinder
guided missile. Mr. Scannell joined OSHA for the first time
in 1971. During that time, he was credited with promulgating
more health standards than any other standards director in
the history of the agency. Mr. Scannell joined Johnson and
Johnson in 1979 where he served as the director of corporate
safety. He implemented a safety program that enabled the company
to experience a 97 percent decrease in workplace accidents
or work-related illnesses that resulted in lost work days.
In 1989, Mr. Scannell again joined OSHA in the capacity of
assistant secretary of labor. He was responsible for the promulgation
of the Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals
Standard, OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, and for proposing
a standard on motor vehicle safety.
