Making a Difference
Meet Andre Gonzalez, Employee Safety Oversight Advisor
We’re periodically featuring the hardworking staff members who are making a difference for our organization. In this installment, meet Andre Gonzalez, Employee Safety Oversight Advisor in the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department. A NYCHA employee since 2012, he is also a former resident of the Longfellow Avenue Rehab development in the Bronx and is a member of the Employee Engagement Committee.
According to Yvonne Armstrong, Assistant Director of the Environmental Health and Safety Department: “Mr. Gonzalez is a consummate team member – he takes on any assignment and executes well. As a former Caretaker and Safety Associate, he also communicates well with colleagues, providing them the knowledge he’s gained during his experiences on the front line.”
“As an Employee Safety Oversight Advisor, I work with front-line staff and residents to recommend improvements that help ensure their safety. That means providing guidance to staff on how to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to health and safety; helping to develop strategies to strengthen NYCHA’s partnerships with other agencies on health and safety matters; and conducting investigations on workplace accidents, identifying root causes and recommending measures to prevent future incidents. I also conduct safety assessments involving trades such as bricklayers, carpenters, exterminators, heating plant technicians, maintenance workers, plasterers, and plumbers. And I respond to phone calls and emails on COVID-19 as well as safety issues that have been brought to the attention of the EHS Department.
“I really enjoy my work. Helping to keep people safe is incredibly important, and I like making sure people understand the safe ways to do a task.
“There’s never a dull moment at NYCHA – every day is different. And NYCHA is a place where anything is possible. I hope to reach and inspire others through my efforts and make a difference for them and their families.”
