Job Summary:
The Safety Specialist is responsible for promoting and maintaining a safe, healthy, and environmentally compliant workplace. This position supports all departments by identifying workplace hazards, ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, ADEM, and other applicable regulations, investigating incidents, developing safety programs, and providing employee training. The Safety Specialist partners with operations management to foster a strong safety culture through continuous improvement and proactive risk management.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Coordinate and support the company's health, safety, and environmental (HSE) programs.
- Conduct routine workplace inspections to identify hazards and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Evaluate workplace risks and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
- Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Assist management with preparing and delivering safety meetings, toolbox talks, and employee safety training.
- Coordinate safety programs including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Confined Space Entry, Fall Protection, Respiratory Protection, Fire Prevention, Hazard Communication, Defensive Driving, and other OSHA-required programs.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, ADEM, NFPA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Investigate workplace accidents, injuries, near misses, and environmental incidents to determine root causes and recommend corrective actions.
- Monitor incident trends and safety performance metrics to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Respond to emergency situations involving hazardous materials, fires, chemical releases, or other workplace emergencies.
- Maintain accurate safety records, reports, inspections, training documentation, and regulatory compliance documentation.
- Assist departments in implementing corrective actions identified through inspections or audits.
- Mentor and provide guidance to employees regarding safe work practices.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and industrial safety standards.
- Working knowledge of EPA, ADEM, and NFPA regulations.
- Ability to identify workplace hazards and implement effective corrective actions.
- Experience conducting safety inspections, audits, and incident investigations.
- Knowledge of risk assessment and hazard analysis techniques.
- Ability to develop and deliver engaging safety training.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and maintain accurate documentation.
- Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during emergency situations.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and safety reporting software.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
- Regular walking throughout industrial manufacturing facilities.
- Frequent standing, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, kneeling, and reaching.
- Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
- Work is performed in both office and industrial environments.
- Frequent exposure to heat, dust, fumes, noise, moving equipment, and outdoor weather conditions.
- Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe boots, and respiratory protection when required.
- Ability to respond to emergency situations outside normal working hours when necessary.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 5–7 years of industrial safety experience, preferably in manufacturing, recycling, heavy industry, or mining.
- OSHA 30-Hour Certification required (OSHA 500/510 preferred).
- Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, ADEM, and NFPA regulations.
- Experience conducting incident investigations, safety audits, and regulatory inspections.
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
- Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination, drug screening, and any other required pre-employment testing.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Work Location: In person
