Safety Specialist

About the role

We are looking for a Safety Specialist in La Crosse, WI.

Schedule

Monday through Friday 6am to 3pm

Travel Requirements

15%

Responsibilities

• Assist the Safety Manager/Plant Manager with site safety programs including new employee safety orientation, safety training, and written program creation and maintenance.
• Assist with programs such as Workers’ Compensation.
• Direct, manage, identify, and audit systems associated with Plant and Health & Safety compliance.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations such as OSHA, NFPA, and ANSI.
• Identify, evaluate, and act on company initiatives or risk mitigation to ensure continuous improvement of Health and Safety measures, Worker’s Compensation costs, and overall safety culture.
• Provide training and coaching to ensure Safety standards and awareness are well understood throughout the organization.
• Provide compliance training to applicable employees on OSHA and DOT regulations.
• Ensure facilities are compliant with all OSHA, federal and state/local safety guidelines and requirements, and organization safety standards.
• Administer a new and transfer employee safety orientation program.
• Research, develop, and deliver safety materials and training presentations.
• Review and edit written programs annually.
• Maintain safety training attendance records.
• Track and maintain pertinent safety information on a database.
• Understand and adhere to all Quality Assurance policies, Good Manufacturing Practice and Standard Operating Procedures and translate into workable plant procedures, including implementation and accountability to the policies.
• Partner with management to investigate all safety incidents and “Near Misses,” conduct reviews, and determine root cause analysis to include resolution and develop action plans.
• Assist employees with claims, and monitor/manage the claims process.
• Participate in the management and resolution of Worker’s Compensation claims and issues.
• Assist with managing the corporate Workers’ Compensation program with the plant-based Human Capital Business Partner and Site Managers to bring employees back to work in a time efficient and safe manner.
• Routinely inspect areas of the plant and all safety equipment located throughout the plant and office environments.
• Manage Safety Inventory – Ordering and restocking of PPE throughout the plant.
• With the involvement of Site Plant Managers and a cross section of plant-based employees, assist safety committee and activities.
• Understand relevant technical requirements in safety, including Federal, State and local ordinances and rules.
• Confer with management, supervisors and employees to gain knowledge of work situations requiring training and to better understand changes in policies, procedures, regulations, business initiatives and technologies.
• Complete all special projects as assigned by the Manager.
• Implement corrective actions from inspections audits.
• Provide input to Engineering department on projects concerning safety and equipment selection.
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices and Safety Protocol.
• Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
• Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
• Support safety policies and programs.

Qualifications

• Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health or related field of study preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience Required: Minimum two (2) years of experience in safety and health work required. Minimum two (2) years within a similar manufacturing environment required. Dairy industry experience preferred. Food/beverage manufacturing and dairy safety background highly preferred.
• Knowledge Required: Knowledge of First Aid, Confined Space entry, LOTO, and experience in Classroom Instruction required.

Skills

• Demonstrate ability to drive organization change through strong interpersonal and communication skills and formal problem-solving techniques.
• High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
• Demonstrate excellence in organizational skills, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Basic computer skills with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook and field-specific software.
• Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
• Knowledgeable in Federal, State and local regulations relevant to Safety and Risk.
• Effective formal presentation skills; commands attention, and can manage group process during the presentation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to apply logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, adapt to a changing environment quickly, and think independently.
• Exhibit a professional manner in collaborating with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package focusing on physical, financial and emotional health
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays Off
• Uniform Program
• Shoe Allowance
• Onsite gym
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Leadership Development Opportunities
• Chance to support our local communities
• Opportunity to apply best practices in sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Commitment to producing high quality nutritious products and providing nourishment around the world