The Senior Safety Specialist is responsible for directing the development, implementation, and evaluation of critical safety processes, programs, and procedures to achieve goals, objectives, and continuous improvement related to health & safety at the Columbia, SC and Enka, NC facilities.
The Specialist is part of the site leadership and has the responsibility to engage other site Leadership, supervisors, and associates to ensure safety and health excellence, as well as provide information and guidance for activities relating to the site-wide safety objectives and to ensure that safety goals are aligned with relevant business unit and corporate safety goals. The Sr. Safety Specialist works in a team environment where accountability for injury/illness prevention, OSHA compliance, and asset protection is incumbent on the Leadership team including the Senior Safety Specialist.
Essential Functions
Actively participates as a member of the Leadership Team.
Facilitate maintenance of site-specific health and safety management systems designed to reduce employee injuries and illnesses including, recommending, developing, and implementing improvements in policies, procedures, and equipment to prevent incidents and injuries.
Ensure that occupational illnesses and injuries are immediately reported, thoroughly investigated, and promptly addressed, consistent with established standards.
Provides 24-hour on-call response for medical emergencies. Coordinates all facility emergency response and site evacuation programs, including the design and execution of annual drills and management communication.
Tracks and reports corrective actions from incident investigations and external evaluations.
Lead safety committees and play an active role in best safety practices (BSP) committees.
Operate, enhance, and maintain the health and safety management systems for the site in accordance with all state and federal guidelines.
Provides and directs plant safety training.
Inspects / audits facility processes to detect existing or potential safety and health hazards, determines corrective or preventive measures and follows up to ensure measures have been implemented.
Participate in the site capital planning including health and safety review of capital projects / safety design reviews of process/equipment’s changes at the site.
Work with HR to implement wellness programs to meet site needs.
Provides support to the plants’ culture of continuous improvement. Able to lead and participate in kaizen workshops to firmly insert H&S thinking in all new standards and new procedures developed as a result of continuous improvement.
Establishes and maintains effective work relationships within the department, the Corporation, and the community; and maintains the professional competence, knowledge and skill necessary for the satisfactory performance of all assigned responsibilities.
Performs such individual assignments as management may direct.
Preferred competencies and skills:
Applied knowledge of health and safety laws and regulations and ability to research specific compliance and regulatory rules across federal, South Carolina, and North Carolina regulations.
Certifications in health and safety (i.e., ASP, CSP, etc.)
Knowledge of OHSAS 18000 a plus.
Demonstrates a high concern for detail, accuracy, and compliance with company and corporate policies and procedures.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with cross functional groups.
Strong team player.
Excellent written, verbal and computer skills.
Proven time management skills.
Independent worker requiring minimal day-to-day direction or oversight.
Energetic, motivated individual, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to interact with professionals at all levels.
Preferred education:
Bachelor’s degree in occupational health & safety. Will consider other four-year degrees.
Required Experience:
6 plus years of related experience.
Professional knowledge of federal standards (OSHA regulations, International Fire Code, NFPA standards) for the manufacturing environment.
Experience in regulatory filings and reporting.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of responsibilities for this position and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. Company management may assign other relevant, business-related duties.
