Mr. Michael Lescallette has been selected as the OSHA New York City Region 2025 Special Government Employee of the Year. This is the second consecutive year that Michael has received this award.
Michael became a Special Government Employee (SGE) for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) in 2021. In 2024, 25 SGEs filled 31 VPP team member positions on VPP evaluation teams in the OSHA New York City Region. Michael participated on three OSHA New York City Region VPP evaluation teams during 2024, which exceeded the total number of team member assignments performed by the other 24 SGEs. (Four of the 25 SGEs participated on two OSHA New York City Region VPP evaluation teams in 2024.) Michael participated on an additional 2024 VPP evaluation team for the OSHA Philadelphia Region (for a total of four VPP team member assignments completed in 2024). Since 2022, Michael has assisted the OSHA New York City Region on a total of eight VPP evaluation teams. In 2024, Michael assisted the OSHA New York City Region by reviewing 2023 VPP self-evaluation submissions. Michael also served as an instructor during the SGE training class at the 2024 VPPPA Safety+ Symposium in Denver, Colorado. Reviewing VPP self-evaluations and serving as a SGE Class instructor were additional SGE qualifying activities that Michael was able to complete in 2024.
Michael specifically volunteered for VPP evaluation teams when no other SGE positions were filled, enabling OSHA to proceed with the scheduled VPP evaluations and avoid postponements. Being based in Pennsylvania, Michael’s SGE participation in the New York City Region often requires overnight travel. Michael’s safety knowledge and professional performance has always been appreciated by the VPP sites. Since becoming a SGE in 2021, Michael has participated on a total of 12 VPP evaluation teams nationwide. Michael has served as an instructor during training classes for new SGE applicants to help grow the program and has presented topics at various VPPA conferences. Michael also supports VPP by serving as a board member for the Region II Chapter of the VPP Participants Association (VPPPA).
Michael brings over 30 years of experience in safety and health, specializing in both the General Industry and Construction sectors. For the past seven years, he has served as the Northeast Regional Health & Safety Coordinator for Cintas Corporation's First Aid & Safety and Fire Divisions. In this role, Michael is responsible for ensuring OSHA / Cintas compliance and fostering partner engagement across 27 locations spanning 10 states in the Eastern United States (including six VPP Star locations) and two Canadian Provinces. Michael currently has two locations who have received initial VPP Star approval and one location that just received formal VPP Star approval on January 17, 2025. Michael has another six locations with submitted VPP applications that are pending approval. Michael has been an Authorized OSHA General Industry Trainer for over 17 years. Michael is currently in the process of obtaining his Safety 2025 New York City Region SGE of the Year Announcement February 6, 2025 Management Specialist (SMS) designation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).
In his community, Michael is an advocate for autism and an active volunteer for Autism Speaks. Michael’s family created “Jacob’s Journey” to help spread autism awareness and participate annually in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks event. Michael previously served for four years as the Vice President for his daughter’s high school volleyball teams and currently is an assistant 14U volleyball coach.