Safety Specialist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Skills

• 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