About Us

About Safety Guidance Specialists

AboutusWe are a team of safety professionals leading the way in training, compliance, and consulting. Our goal is to make your job easier by handling the issues that are all important in the daily operation of your business and industry.

With years of regulatory research, education and experience, we provide a complete range of safety project management including regulatory training, environmental compliance issues, industrial hygiene services, and extensive management solutions so you can focus on being the best in your industry while we address keeping your day-to-day tasks at their optimal level.

We offer our services in different forms, which are flexible and tailored to your specific needs and requirements. In-house training on your premises gives employees the opportunity to learn in your industrial environment. Our specialists travel on a local, regional, and national basis for the convenience of our clients. If you prefer to let us handle training within our setting, we can accommodate you in that manner as well.

Our goal is to assist you in creating a safer work environment enhancing safety awareness and maintaining a proactive long-term environmental health and safety program. We recognize that minimizing workplace hazards and effective management costs are vital to your success. For this reason, we have designed the most effective programs possible.

Our professional team’s education and direct industry experience includes the following areas:

  • Loss Control
  • Job Safety Analysis
  • Industrial Hygiene Services
  • Staff Augmentation
  • Equipment/Task Matching
  • Technical Writing
  • Training

Our Focus

Our Focus is providing quality consulting and technical support for the occupational health, safety and environmental industry.

Founded in 1994, SGS Inc. has utilized a unique approach to helping clients handle their environmental, health and safety (EH&S) issues. Combining the abilities of management with the talents of our employees, we are able to provide clients with superior, cost-effective solutions to all of their EH&S needs. Additionally, our experience and expertise in regulatory compliance; environmental due diligence and program oversight along with sustainable services allows us to create a long-term partnership with our clients servicing all of their current and future EH&S needs. Our approach also gives our clients the ability to rest assured their EH&S concerns are addressed efficiently, effectively and with their goals in mind.

Safety Guidance Specialists is a unique company that works closely with organizations to find EH&S training, management and consulting solutions.

Our Team

Safety Guidance Specialists consists of a large team of highly qualified professionals. Here is a closer look at our team’s experience and education.

A. Lynn Melton

A. Lynn Melton

Partner and part of SGS’s Management Staff

As a Partner and part of SGS’s Management Staff, Mrs. Melton plays an active role in SGS’s management and is responsible for all day-to-day operations, including coordination of instructors, training courses, and field activities.

Utilizing over twenty years experience, she assists with development and implementation of new course materials. Mrs. Melton has an AS in Occupational Health and Safety and holds instructor certifications in 40 Hour OSHA Outreach Instruction, 1st Aid/CPR, and Lead Management and EPA approved Asbestos courses. Mrs. Melton is the primary lead in OSHA related investigations for clients and has served as project safety manager on construction, environmental, and disaster response projects.

Diane Stewart, CHMM, CET

Diane Stewart, CHMM, CET

Partner and part of the SGS’s management staff

As a Partner and part of the SGS’s management staff, Mrs. Stewart is responsible for development, execution, and implementation of regulatory as well as other training programs. She develops training materials including course outlines, lesson plans, student handouts, and audio visual aids. She serves as an instructor for OSHA, EPA, AHERA and DOT mandated training. Mrs. Stewart serves as an speaker at OSHA, EPA and other regulatory conferences and seminars. For the last 25 years she has been actively involved in safety and environmental management. Prior to joining Safety Guidance Specialist she was General Manager for the Occupational Health and Safety Division of Commercial Testing and Engineering.

Mrs. Stewart has an AS in Environmental Science, a BS and MS in Occupational Health and Safety. She has been actively involved in safety and environmental management for the last twenty years, offering consultation to guide company health, safety and environmental programs for the attainment of excellence, compliance and OSHA VPP certification. She is a member of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers and the National Environmental Trainers Association. Mrs. Stewart holds both the OSHA Outreach 10 Hour and 30 Hour certifications and has provided safety oversight on numerous long term and short-term projects.

Daniel Adkins, CTSP

Daniel Adkins, CTSP

Part of the SGS’s contract staff

As part of the SGS’s contract staff, Mr. Adkins has more than twenty five years in workplace safety including firefighting, construction, oil and gas production, explosive safety, and confined space rescue. As part of a safety management team he has developed and managed ES& H policies and procedures for large scale projects and production facilities, enforced OSHA and other regulatory compliance issues, and provided training of employees and management on necessary OSHA, NIOSH, MSHA and NFPA regulations.

As a contract Safety Supervisor he performed safety inspections and Job Safety Analysis, conducted safety meetings, was responsible for accident investigations, and maintained jobsite safety records.

Mr. Adkins holds certifications in 40-Hour Hazmat; Advanced Rope/Confined Space Rescue, Hazardous Materials Incident Commander; Certified Tree Care Safety Professional; Medic First- First Aid/CPR/AED instructor; and Fall Protection Selection, Inspection and Use.

Thomas G. Alsip (Bilingual)

Thomas G. Alsip (Bilingual)

SGS’s instructors for Spanish as well as English speaking workers

Mr. Alsip has over forty years of diverse and progressive safety management experience, over half of which was at corporate level. His back ground includes construction, mining, maritime and general industry. A former EMT and audiometric technician, he holds current certifications as an instructor trainer in first aid and surface mining, as an OSHA outreach instructor in maritime, construction and disaster worker, as well as Asbestos and lead abatement supervisor, rigging instructor and crane inspector. He is a registered Professional Safety Engineer in California, licensed blaster in Alabama, a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and an Emeritus member of the International Society of Explosive Engineers. Mr. Alsip serves as on of SGS’s instructors for Spanish as well as English speaking workers.

Waldo Austin

Waldo Austin

Initial and annual compliance training

Mr. Austin has over 17 years of experience working in safety for the petrochemical industry. His areas of experience includes being responsible for 18 plus safety compliance programs such as Hearing Conservation, Respiratory Protection and Industrial Hygiene Programs.

Mr. Austin is responsible for initial and annual compliance training for a number of programs centered on industrial hygiene requirements. Among other professional certifications, he holds a certificate in Industrial Safety Technology.

Will Berry

Will Berry

Site safety coordinator

Mr. Berry serves as an OSHA instructor and field technician, working at industrial sites, monitoring safety procedures including PPE Requirement, Fall Protection, Confined Space Entry, Hot Work, Scaffolding, Hazardous Chemical Storage, Handling, and Clean Up. Mr. Berry serves as a site safety coordinator monitoring proper safety working conditions for various projects.

He has served as lead project manager for developing Lock Out/ Tag Out procedures for a large manufacturing facility in Milledgeville, Ga. Mr. Berry also served as safety coordinator working with road clean up crews to ensure proper work zone set up, and fall protection for crews pruning and removing trees after Hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Steve Bitowf

Steve Bitowf

Tours of duty as ICS Operations Section Chief and ICS Logistics Section Chief during hurricane response operations

Lt. Bitowf is a retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve qualified to wear the Marine Safety Insignia. His service includes tours of duty as ICS Operations Section Chief and ICS Logistics Section Chief during hurricane response operations.

He retired from the Mobile Police Department after 28 years. His various assignments included Director of the Mobile Police Training Institute and In-Service Training Coordinator.

As well as having a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Troy State University Lt. Bitowf holds an Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission Specialized Instructor Certificate and has completed an FBI course of study in Law Enforcement Instructor Development.

Joey Flowers

Joey Flowers

Oversight of sites with as many as 500 employees, as well as supervision of field safety technicians

Mr. Flowers has worked in industrial and construction safety for the past 7 years. Mr. Flowers holds a BS degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University.

His responsibilities Have included oversight of sites with as many as 500 employees, as well as supervision of field safety technicians. Along with safety program oversight Mr. Flowers has developed and presented regulatory training programs for a number of companies . He also holds competent person certifications in NFPA 70 E, Fall Protection, and Forklift /Aerial Lift Operation. Mr. Flowers is a Certified Rigging Instructor, First Aid, CPR & AED instructor, Fire Safety and Emergency Response instructor.

Rick Fields

Rick Fields

Corporate Safety Trainer

Mr. Fields has 30 plus years of experience in industrial safety. His areas of experience include fire brigade with extensive training at Texas A&M and LSU Fire School. He is a certified instructor for MSA and Survivair Air Systems. Mr. Fields serves as SGS’s primary instructor for Confined Space and High Angle Rescue, is an OSHA Outreach Trainer 500 and 501 and a Hydrogen Sulfide Specialist as well as an instructor for the State of Alabama and Florida High Pressure Breathing Air Compressor Mechanic.

As a Corporate Safety Trainer, his training responsibilities included Confined Space and Structural Rescue from Texas A & M and LSU receiving Technician Certification upon completion. Mr. Fields started one of the first Rope Rescue Teams in this part of the country, and formed a number of other Rescue Teams in all types of industries as well as fire departments. Other certifications include Fall Protection Competent Person and Survey and Control of N.O.R.M under MSHA.

Dan A. Lessley, CIH, CSP, CHSP

Dan A. Lessley, CIH, CSP, CHSP

Training Chair of the local BSA district and the Chair of Risk Management for the BSA local council

Mr. Lessley is experienced in all areas of industrial hygiene and occupational health and has further training and experience in occupational safety. He has supervised health evaluation studies and audits, managed sampling and inventory of various materials including asbestos, lead, and hazardous waste. He developed training programs for supervisors and workers dealing with physical, biological and chemical hazards. He holds a BS in Biology and an MSPH in Industrial Hygiene.

He holds a BS in Biology from auburn University and an MSPH in Industrial Hygiene from The University of Alabama in Birmingham along with additional studies at Tulane University. Mr. Lessley is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and has been a Certified Safety Professional, Certified Healthcare Safety Professional, Certified Asbestos Consultant, Environmental Information Association Field Instructor, Accredited Supervisory Air Monitor and an Asbestos Abatement Consultant. His professional affiliations include the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Inc., American Academy of Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Information Association, American Society of Safety Engineers, American Biological Safety Association and National Environmental Training Association. He serves as the Training Chair of the local BSA district and the Chair of Risk Management for the BSA local council. He has taught at Bishop State Community College, University of Southern Mississippi and Columbia Southern University.

Julie Lessley

Julie Lessley

Industrial hygiene surveys including air monitoring and sampling

Mrs. Lessley is experienced in the field of Environmental and Occupational Health. She is responsible for all aspects of industrial hygiene surveys including air monitoring and sampling. Mrs. Lessley’s experience
includes the performance of noise surveys and safety surveys of facilities including marine terminal operations, crane operations, welding, maintenance areas, lay down yards, and crude oil refineries. She conducted contractor orientation for one of the largest construction projects in the State of Alabama. Her training Experience includes asbestos, Lead and first aid/CPR and she serves on the training committee of the local BSA district.

Jimmy Lyles

Jimmy Lyles

Safety manager

Mr. Lyles has 30 years of experience in training and operations in the chemical industry. During this time frame he acted as the Chemical Emergency Response Team Coordinator, Operations Training Coordinator as well as Safety Manager for a 65 employee facility that produced Chlorine and Caustic Soda. As part of his duties as safety manager, he was responsible for the Process Safety Management Program as well as implementing the OSHA VPP Program.

Steve Nelson

Steve Nelson

Oversight of the loading and unloading of incoming and outgoing cargo shipments

Mr. Nelson has eleven years in industrial/construction safety. As a corporate safety director he developed safety programs provided in house compliance training and coordinated all aspects of the program. As part of his work experience Mr. Nelson managed OCIP for large construction projects which included management of site specific safety program, coordinated activates of site safety representatives, and site safety audits. Mr. Nelson also managed “Safety by Objective” Program for a large international firm with locations throughout North and South American.

As a Stevedoring Superintendent, Mr. Nelson was responsible for the oversight of the loading and unloading of incoming and outgoing cargo shipments. Other maritime experience includes safety oversight for new construction as well as blasting and coating operations. Since joining SGS, he has provided compliance
training services as well as on-site safety management.

Jim Nisbet

Jim Nisbet

Mr. Nisbet is experienced in Fall Protection, Lockout Tag Out, Electrocution, Confined Space, Scaffolding, Record Keeping, and Excavation. Jim holds a MIDOSHA certification d with OSHA 300 Log, Hearing Safety OSHA Authorized Safety Instructor.

As a pilot and Pilot Flight Engineer, he is a graduate from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, 3 Year Managers Program, and holds an Aircraft Structure and Power Plant License. He served a the FAA liaison with ORD, STL, DTW, MSP, and served as a member with FAA, ASAP Boards. He was part of CASS Review Engineering Team, and NTSB Accident Team. Mr. Nisbet worked with FAA during all NASIP audits, and developed a self audit process inclusive of FAA, EPA and OSHA disciplines.

Mr. Nisbet has completed US Coast Guard Accident Investigation Training, State of Alaska Emergency Medical Training, Human Factors Training, and is EPA Hazwoper and Hazcom Qualified. He has also taught the Maritime 5400 program for 6 OSHA inspectors and 5 shipping companies at the University of Cincinnati.

Teresa Madrigal-Peralta (Bilingual)

Teresa Madrigal-Peralta (Bilingual)

Spanish and English instructor

Ms. Peralta is fluent in Spanish and serves as a Spanish and English instructor in Asbestos and First Aid/CPR as well as being a translator. She has held several positions as a Liaison and Coordinator for business and trade development as well as Director for Hispanic Services for Construction and Industry Safety Training. She served on Mayor Sam Jones Transition Task Force for the Growth and Vitality of the City of Mobile, Alabama. She is a graduate of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth 2007 and attended the Accredited Louisiana Contractor Accreditation Institute in 2008. Ms. Peralta holds a Bilingual Instructor certification and OSHA Construction Outreach Trainer Certification from the University of Alabama.