Winfield names Director of Safety and Health
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Winfield names Director of Safety and Health
Photo by Shane Gilreath
Winfield Mayor Jerry Dodson and Town Aldermen formally voted to amend the town’s Occupational Safety and Health Program plan and appoint a director to oversee the objective.
By Shane Gilreath
[email protected]
During the September meeting of the Winfield Mayor and Aldermen, the board took the final step to adopt an ordinance to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Program (OSH) plan and to provide the town with a director to oversee and implement the objective. That director, Sarah Sumner, who was appointed on September 9, 2025, will be the town’s designate to enforce ordinances, one of which could be recent passages dealing with the proposed landfill and transfer station which directly impacts Winfield.
Typically speaking, OSH program plans provide the framework that a safety director uses to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. As Safety Director, Sumner’s role will involve implementing these plans including conducting potential hazard assessments and recommendations; ensuring compliance with the Tennessee Occupational and Health Administration and federal OSHA standards; performing periodic inspections of zoning violations or audits, including those which may be impacted by recent zoning overlays dealing with the proposed landfill and transfer; and establishing systems for reporting, investigating, and correcting unsafe conditions in the Town of Winfield.
With respect to zoning code enforcement, Sumner can be expected to collaborate with municipal planning or building commissions to ensure that land use, building design, siting of facilities, signage, and property maintenance codes are observed so that structures and land use doesn’t create health or safety hazards, as well as implement OSH plans by developing policy, training, inspection and corrective action cycles, working in tandem with code enforcement bodies to ensure they meet safety standards under Tennessee laws and local ordinances.
The Winfield ordinance took place upon its passage at the September 8th meeting.
