Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
The Environmental Health and Safety Specialist position is responsible for implementing all policies and procedures that comprise the EHS program including, but not limited to, evaluation and control of safety and health hazards in the workplace, routine hazard recognition and environmental management and also supports functions by performing routine tasks associated with inspection of necessary equipment. The position will work with managers, supervisors, and employees to minimize environmental exposures, occupational health and safety risks, teach specific safe work habits and manage compliance with applicable regulations. The position will primarily work days but will be required to work some split shifts and on-call to cover the full plant operations, which operates 24 hours, 7 days a week.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time:
- Directly support Environmental, Health and Safety at facility by training and enforcing safety programs and policies and initiatives.
- Administer continuous training programs that comply with OSHA regulations and develop safe work behaviors including company’s LMS program.
- Manage industrial hygiene programs including medical testing, physicals, respiratory testing, fit testing; and conducts monitoring of contaminants as required by respective standards.
- Manage hazardous and non-hazardous waste inspections, identification, containerization, consolidation, labeling, accumulation and shipment for disposal and maintain records of such.
- Collect, document and record site EHS monitoring including, but not limited to, area noise measurements, carbon monoxide, heat exposure, and storm water samples.
- Apply the Company drug and alcohol testing program, complying with federal and state laws.
- Schedule and conduct site EHS compliance inspections, perform records documentation and provide corrective action response recommendations and tracking.
- Use a working knowledge of personal, industrial & occupational safety to manage safety programs such as Forklift Operations, Hoist & Crane Operations, Lifting Equipment, Job Safety Analysis, Blood borne Pathogen Exposure Control, Respiratory Protection, PPE Program, Hazard Communication and other OSHA required programs.
- Promote technical safety and occupational health awareness through internal company communications, such as newsletters, committee meetings, 5 minute safety talks, best practices, and specific training programs.
- Support maintenance, plant services and quality assurance to implement engineering controls and food safety while minimizing employee safety and occupational health hazards.
- Identify and develop corrective actions for potential hazards by auditing facilities, machinery and safety equipment.
- Manage DOT driver files, random drug screening and DOT documentation in the company’s electronic system.
- Utilize and analyze safety and health metrics, trend and data to understand what is working well and where gaps exist. Provide quick response and program reprioritization to prevent injuries and risks.
- Manage location’s workers compensation program closely monitoring claims, review reports, conduct timely and thorough investigations, identify corrective actions and ensure actions are complete.
- Complies, reports on time and maintains OSHA and environmental reporting and documentation.
- Maintain employee training and records for relevant occupational health and safety, environmental and DOT topics.
- Support effective two-way communications with all employees by championing safety committees, time on the floor and shift change EHS information.
- Administer the company’s STOP Safety Program.
An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:
The following are required competencies of the position that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job:
- Thorough understanding and broad application of safety regulations, standards, principles, theories, and techniques.
- Demonstrate proficiency in Windows, MS Office Suite including; Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook, internet/intranet and other organizational specific software.
- Professional communications skills for both internal and external customers, co-workers, team members and consultants.
- Demonstrate training skills involving making presentations covering various topics.
- Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to adapt effectively within a continually changing and demanding environment.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the products manufactured and the processes involved.
- Basic understanding of equipment operations and minor troubleshooting ability.
- Must be able to demonstrate an ability and willingness to communicate effectively in order to maintain high levels of confidentiality, safety, health, quality and efficiency.
- Ability to read and comprehend standard operating procedures and company guidelines in order to maintain regulatory compliance.
- Ability to understand daily production needs.
- Demonstrate strong teamwork skills, with the ability to lead, participate and/or work directly with cross-functional teams and/or individuals.
- Ability to plan, initiate, direct, and carry out short and long-term programs.
- Ability to work independently, multi-task and prioritize.
- Detail oriented, be quality minded.
- Solid understanding and respect for the differences of roles between management, supervisory and line personnel.
- Able to perform at a high level in a fast paced environment.
- Maintain a valid drivers’ license.
- Demonstrate ability to lead and integrate safety into manufacturing activities.
- Demonstrate ability to influence others without direct, hierarchical control.
- Ability to define problems, collect and document data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to interpret an extensive variety of situations and events and respond accordingly. Ability to seek counsel, when needed, from appropriate resources.
- Possess traits of honesty and integrity, creativity and flexibility.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in safety management, industrial health and safety, a discipline of safety engineering or similar field from accredited college or university or a combination of education and relevant work experience.
- Three to five years of experience managing and leading operational safety, preferably within the food industry with proven ability to deliver results preferred.
- Technical knowledge of dairy fluids and/or food manufacturing.
- Certified Safety Professional with OSHA 30 Hour preferred.
- First Responder, Basic Life Support Training preferred.
- Understanding of the 1904 Recordkeeping Standards and 1910 General Industry Standards preferred;
- Knowledge of Investigations, Hazard recognition, Training, Recordkeeping, and Behavioral Safety preferred.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:
Physical and Mental Demands – The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Office – Work is performed in a general office environment with low to moderate noise exposure. May on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; talk or hear; taste or smell. The majority of the time is spent seated at a work station with access to telephone, computer, printer, files, and reference materials. Requires frequent verbal communication either in person, by telephone or by use of online interactive communication, to interact with vendors, suppliers, and consultants. Requires frequent written communication by requiring frequent typing and writing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Manufacturing – Work is performed in a manufacturing plant. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee will frequently have to walk and stand. The employee should have the ability to regularly lift up to 55lbs. The employee must be able to push and pull up to 75lbs. Must be able to climb ladders and work at elevations above 4 feet. Employees are regularly exposed to cold temperatures when performing tasks in storage areas. Employees are regularly exposed to warm or hot temperatures with moderate to high humidity levels varying based on the location of the work area. The employee is regularly exposed to wet walking surfaces. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work Environment – The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Office - This job operates in a professional office environment. Employees will work face-to-face with others on a daily basis. Some may share office space. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is rarely exposed to outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually low. May on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment. The employee may be exposed to very low levels of ammonia.
Manufacturing - Employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock, wet work conditions, fumes or airborne particles. Employee is occasionally exposed to warm conditions with regular exposure to temperature conditions in excess of 100*F or cold temperatures when working in cold storage areas. The employee is regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. Employee is regularly exposed to chemicals during sanitation processes. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally at a high level. The employee is not routinely exposed to weather conditions. The employee may be exposed to very low levels of ammonia.
Associated Milk Producers Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.