Safety Specialist

Job Summary

The Safety Specialist supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of occupational health and safety programs, policies, and procedures within the organization. This position serves as a visible safety resource to employees and leadership, with a strong emphasis on proactive hazard identification, employee engagement, regulatory compliance, and injury prevention.

The Safety Specialist is expected to spend approximately 60% of working time on the manufacturing floor and 40% on administrative, training, documentation, and safety program activities. The position works closely with employees, supervisors, and management to promote safe work practices and strengthen the organization's safety culture.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Duties and Responsibilities

Manufacturing Floor & Employee Engagement - Approximately 60%

• Maintains a consistent and visible presence on the manufacturing floor to observe work practices, identify hazards, and reinforce safe behaviors.
• Conducts routine safety inspections, observations, and audits to evaluate compliance with company policies and applicable safety requirements.
• Engages directly with employees and supervisors to identify safety concerns and develop practical solutions to reduce workplace risk.
• Provides real-time safety coaching and guidance to employees regarding safe work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), and established safety procedures.
• Identifies unsafe conditions and behaviors and works with employees and leadership to ensure timely corrective action.
• Exercises stop-work authority when an operation or activity presents an immediate risk of injury, illness, or equipment damage.
• Participates in incident, injury, near-miss, and property-damage investigations, including identifying contributing factors and recommending corrective and preventive actions.
• Follows up on corrective actions to verify completion and effectiveness.
• Identifies opportunities to reduce workplace injuries, ergonomic risks, unsafe conditions, and occupational health exposures.
• Supports compliance with applicable programs and standards, including machine guarding, lockout/tagout (LOTO), hazard communication, PPE, powered industrial trucks, walking-working surfaces, and other manufacturing safety requirements.
• Conducts and supports employee safety training, toolbox talks, and other safety communications.
• Builds positive working relationships with production employees and supervisors to encourage reporting of hazards, near misses, and safety concerns.
• Participates in safety committee activities and other employee safety initiatives.

Safety Programs, Compliance & Administration - Approximately 40%

• Supports the development, implementation, and maintenance of company safety policies, procedures, and programs.
• Assists with monitoring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local occupational health and safety laws, regulations, codes, and standards.
• Supports OSHA recordkeeping and reporting activities, including maintaining accurate safety and incident documentation.
• Reviews incident and accident reports for accuracy, completeness, trends, and opportunities for corrective action.
• Maintains safety inspection, audit, training, and corrective-action records.
• Tracks safety observations, incidents, near misses, corrective actions, and other safety performance indicators.
• Assists in analyzing safety data and trends to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Reviews safety training materials and recommends revisions, improvements, and updates as needed.
• Develops and delivers safety training and communications based on regulatory requirements and identified workplace needs.
• Provides technical and administrative support to the safety committee.
• Participates in internal and external safety audits and assists with corrective-action plans.
• Collaborates with management, supervisors, engineering, maintenance, human resources, and production teams on safety-related projects and initiatives.
• Stays current on applicable OSHA standards, industry practices, and emerging workplace safety requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Working knowledge of occupational health and safety principles and applicable OSHA standards within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Ability to identify workplace hazards, evaluate risk, and recommend practical corrective actions.
• Ability and willingness to spend approximately 60% of working time actively engaged on the manufacturing floor.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage, coach, and influence employees at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and conduct effective safety training.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple safety activities, corrective actions, and priorities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with employees, supervisors, and management.
• Sound judgment and confidence to address unsafe conditions and exercise stop-work authority when necessary.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Safety Engineering, Environmental Health, Industrial Safety, or a related field, plus two years of occupational health and safety experience, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial environment;

OR

• At least five years of occupational health and safety experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment;

OR

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.

Safety-related certifications such as OSHA 30-Hour General Industry, GSP, ASP, CSP, or similar credentials are preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to spend extended periods walking and standing in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to regularly travel throughout production, warehouse, maintenance, and other facility areas to conduct safety observations, inspections, investigations, and employee engagement activities.
• Ability to work around manufacturing equipment and in areas where required personal protective equipment must be worn.
• Periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and access work areas as reasonably required to conduct safety inspections and hazard assessments.
• Must be able to respond to safety incidents and concerns throughout the facility as needed.