Safety Specialist

SUMMARY OF DUTIES: This position is responsible for actively promoting and maintaining a safe working environment by conducting workplace inspections, investigating safety incidents, developing and implementing safety training programs, ensuring compliance with internal and external safety regulations, and advising management on risk mitigation strategies to prevent injuries and promote employee health and wellbeing. This position may also conduct or facilitate safety audits, safety committees, and training for employees on proper safety procedures and equipment usage. This position will require travel to different company plant locations and customer jobsite locations throughout the Buffalo & Batavia market areas on a regular basis.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Safety Inspections and Audits:

Conduct regular inspections of work areas and equipment (including jobsites) to identify potential hazards, non-compliance issues, and unsafe practices; perform safety audits to assess overall safety performance and compliance with internal and external safety regulations.

• Incident Investigation:

Investigate workplace incidents and near misses to determine root causes, identify corrective actions, and implement preventive measures to avoid future occurrences.

• Safety Training and Education:

Develop and deliver safety training programs for employees at all levels, covering topics like hazard recognition, new hire orientation, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, emergency procedures, and safe work practices. Facilitate other safety trainings such as LOTOTO, driver training, operator training, confined space, arc flash, working at heights, CPR/First Aid/AED, etc.

• Policy Development and Implementation:

Assist in developing, updating, and enforcing company safety policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant occupational safety and health regulations.

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

Conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards and develop appropriate mitigation strategies to minimize risks in the workplace.

• Incident Reporting and Analysis:

Maintain accurate records of safety incidents, near misses, and injuries; analyze data to identify trends and implement preventative actions.

• Communication and Awareness:

Promote safety culture by communicating safety information to employees through meetings, posters, and other channels.

• Compliance Management:

Monitor compliance with OSHA, MSHA, DOT, and NYSDOL regulations, industry standards, and company safety policies.

• Collaboration with Management:

Work closely with management to address safety concerns, provide recommendations for improvements, and ensure safety is a top priority.

• Safety Culture Focused:

Lead a positive safety culture where everyone in the organization is committed to safety and works together to improve it.

COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of safety regulations:

Thorough understanding of OSHA, MSHA, DOT standards and other relevant company safety standards.

• Analytical skills:

Ability to identify safety issues, analyze root causes, and develop effective solutions.

• Process Management:

Creates processes necessary to achieve organizational goals. Organizes people and activities effectively. Utilizes internal metrics to effectively track progress completion. Seeks opportunities for synergy and integration. Simplifies complex processes. Uses resources efficiently.

• Problem Solving:

Actively employs analysis and synthesis skills; Gathers and analyzes available information from industry best practices and regulatory bodies and compares them to plant/equipment/employee conditions to determine whether circumstances are compliant. Incorporate the ability to effectively investigate issues, by using judgment that is consistent with standards, practices, policies, procedures, regulations and laws.

• Planning & Organization:

Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently. Plans for additional resources. Integrates changes smoothly. Sets goals and objectives. Works in an organized manner. Ability to complete projects and duties as assigned in an accurate and timely fashion.

• Communication skills:

Excellent communication skills required. Clear, concise, and professional communication to educate employees, management, and other stakeholders on safety matters.

• Training and presentation skills:

Ability to deliver various presentations and safety training to both front line employees and management.

• Observation skills:

Keen attention to detail to identify potential hazards during workplace inspections, behavior observations, etc.

• Leadership skills:

Ability to coach employees and influence positive safety behavior to promote a safety-first, employee driven safety culture.

• Administrative skills:

Competent in utilizing Microsoft office and other safety software (such as eCompliance) to input and analyze safety data on a regular basis. Familiarity with data visualization software, such as Power BI, and strong excel skills considered an asset.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree (BSc or BEng) from four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience, preferably in the construction materials industry. 
• Equivalent experience can include a combination of an accredited non-university/ technical school level safety program and direct safety supervision in an industrial environment.
• Professional safety certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), OSHA 30, etc. preferred.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel Requirement:

Occasional travel may be required but would not exceed 10%. Ability to travel to different plants/jobsites with reliable transportation. A clean driving license is required.

• Physical Demands:

Moderate amount physical activity, e.g., prolonged walking, sitting, standing, walking up and down ladders and tall structures, sustained keyboarding for up to 50% of the workday, ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds/10 kg.

• Work Environment:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position involves:

• • • Occasional exposure to the elements while working on an industrial site, as well as other operational by-products such as dust, dirt, odors, noise, etc.
    • Work activities involve a frequent need to concentrate on a variety of sensory inputs for lengthy durations of time requiring diligence and attention to interpret effectively.

Salary Range: $76,000-$93,000

NOTE:

This position description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor.