Director of Safety

The Safety Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the comprehensive safety program within the company. They will ensure compliance with all applicable safety regulations, help people identify potential risk and hazards while influencing and promoting a proactive safety culture to prevent workplace incidents. Provides leadership, strategy and execution for all worker health and safety activities, including but not limited to employees, customers and visitors, workers compensation administration and emergency response functions. Create a culture and presence of Safety for all people. Increase awareness and develop employee capabilities through safety training, coaching, communications and employee relations.

Essential Functions

Policy Development and Implementation:

• Create and enforce safety policies, procedures, and guidelines aligned with local and federal regulations.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

• Conduct and / or oversee regular safety audits and assessments to identify potential hazards, evaluate risks, and implement preventive measures.
• Develop a Serious Injury & Fatality (SIF) program for the business.
• Provide input during the planning and execution of new equipment and/or technology applications to ensure that safeguards meet all applicable regulatory requirements.

Compliance Management:

• Monitor adherence to safety standards and regulations, ensuring necessary documentation is maintained, and addressing non-compliance issues.
• Maintain the company’s safety policies and procedures in compliance with local, state, and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) rules and regulations.
• Handle all OSHA related issues such as inspections, yearly reports, job site posters, citations, hearings, etc.
• Prepare, maintain and submit all records and reports required by the Company, OSHA and any other regulatory agencies, i.e. OSHA 300 log and injury records.

Safety Management System:

• Accountable for the Safety Management System (SMS).
• Develop safety KPI’s (leading and lagging indicators).

Employee Training and Education:

• Design and deliver safety training programs to all levels of employees, covering topics like hazard recognition, incident reporting, and emergency response.

Incident Investigation:

• Investigate workplace accidents and near misses to determine root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent future occurrences.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Track safety metrics like injury rates, incident trends, and compliance data to identify areas for improvement and report to management.
• Regularly review worker compensation claims data for possible employer modification rate adjustments.

Emergency Preparedness:

• Develop and maintain emergency response plans, coordinating drills, and ensuring necessary equipment and procedures are in place.

Collaboration with Management:

• Work with management, develops the strategic safety vision and road map.
• Advise management on safety concerns, integrating safety considerations into new projects, and collaborating with other departments to promote a safety-first culture.
• Provide data / KPI’s to management assessing the company performance to targets.
• Make corrective action recommendations to management concerning safety and health issues that may affect the company.
• Plan, monitor and controls safety related expenditures with the approved budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in safety management or relevant field is preferred
• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in a safety leadership capacity.
• Knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities to execute US based legislation and regulatory requirements for OSHA, DOT, state and federal etc.
• Knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities of hazard identification and risk assessment methodologies. Examples: 5 Whys, Gemba / Hazard recognition walks, Behavior based observation systems, PDCA, risk assessments, near misses, leading vs. lagging key performance indicators.
• Strategic thinker with experience implementing a strong safety culture with continuous improvement.
• Strong Excel skills or any similar data analysis software for KPI reporting including EHS software systems
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

Worker Health & Safety Expertise:

• Thorough understanding of occupational health and safety regulations (OSHA) and best practices.

Leadership Skills:

• Ability to motivate and influence employees at all levels to prioritize safety.

Analytical Skills:

• Data analysis skills to identify trends and implement effective safety strategies.

Communication Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively train employees and communicate safety concerns.

Problem-solving Skills:

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

Business Acumen:

• Understand business implications of decisions aligns with strategic goals of the business.

Teamwork:

• Balance team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Change Management:

• Develop workable implementation plans; Communicate changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepare and support those affected by change; monitor and evaluate results.