Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Safety Technical Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

As a Safety Technical Specialist, you are the cornerstone of our commitment to a safe and healthy work environment. You will act as a subject matter expert (SME), providing in-depth technical guidance on complex safety issues and regulatory standards. This role is responsible for the hands-on development, implementation, and continuous improvement of our Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs. You will blend your technical expertise with a collaborative approach to influence and embed a proactive safety culture, working closely with operations, engineering, and leadership to identify risks and engineer effective solutions. Your primary objective is to prevent incidents, ensure unwavering compliance, and protect our most valuable asset: our people.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Safety Coordinator or EHS Associate
Industrial Hygiene Technician
Field Engineer with a safety focus

Advancement To:

Senior Safety Specialist or EHS Manager
Corporate Safety Director
Regional EHS Manager

Lateral Moves:

Process Safety Engineer
Environmental Compliance Specialist
Industrial Hygienist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Serve as the primary technical resource for interpreting and ensuring site-wide compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal safety regulations, including OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and other relevant standards.
Develop, implement, and meticulously maintain critical safety programs such as Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Confined Space Entry, Fall Protection, Electrical Safety (Arc Flash), and Hazard Communication.
Conduct comprehensive Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), risk assessments, and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) for new and existing processes, equipment, and facilities to proactively identify and mitigate potential hazards.
Lead and document thorough incident investigations and root cause analyses for all workplace accidents, injuries, and near-misses, developing and tracking robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to prevent recurrence.
Design and deliver engaging and effective safety training programs for employees, supervisors, and management on various EHS topics, ensuring comprehension and competency.
Perform and coordinate industrial hygiene monitoring activities, including noise level surveys, air quality sampling, and exposure assessments for chemical and physical agents, interpreting results and recommending controls.
Manage the site's EHS data management system, ensuring accurate and timely recording of training, incidents, inspections, and other key safety metrics for analysis and reporting.
Conduct regular and thorough EHS audits and inspections of facilities, equipment, and work practices to identify unsafe conditions and behaviors, and drive closure of identified gaps.
Provide technical safety expertise and review for all new equipment purchases, facility modifications, and management of change (MOC) processes to ensure safety is integrated by design.
Develop and maintain emergency response plans and procedures, and lead or participate in drills and exercises to ensure a high state of readiness.
Champion ergonomic initiatives by conducting assessments of workstations and tasks, and recommending engineering or administrative controls to reduce musculoskeletal disorder risks.
Manage contractor safety programs, including pre-qualification, orientation, and monitoring of on-site activities to ensure adherence to company safety policies.
Author, review, and update technical safety policies, procedures, and work instructions to reflect current best practices and regulatory changes.
Act as the primary liaison during regulatory agency inspections (e.g., OSHA) and inquiries, ensuring professional representation and timely response.
Analyze safety data and trends to identify leading and lagging indicators, preparing detailed reports and presentations for management to drive strategic EHS decisions.
Facilitate and guide site safety committees, empowering members to actively participate in improving the safety culture and program effectiveness.
Evaluate and manage the selection, use, and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ensuring it is appropriate for the identified hazards.
Provide technical support for process safety management (PSM) and risk management plan (RMP) elements where applicable, contributing to their ongoing compliance and improvement.
Mentor and coach junior safety staff, supervisors, and employees on safety principles and practices, building EHS competency across the organization.
Stay current with advancements in safety technology, industry best practices, and regulatory developments to ensure the organization's EHS programs remain state-of-the-art.

Secondary Functions

Support the development and execution of the annual EHS strategic plan and budget.
Participate in cross-functional continuous improvement and lean manufacturing events, providing a safety perspective.
Assist in the management and proper disposal of hazardous waste, ensuring environmental compliance.
Collaborate with Human Resources and medical staff on case management for work-related injuries and return-to-work programs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Expertise: Deep, technical knowledge of OSHA regulations (e.g., 29 CFR 1910, 1926), EPA, and NFPA standards.
Root Cause Analysis: Proficiency in formal incident investigation methodologies such as 5-Why, Fishbone (Ishikawa), and Fault Tree Analysis.
Industrial Hygiene: Experience with IH monitoring equipment for air and noise sampling and interpretation of exposure data.
EHS Management Systems: Familiarity with implementing and auditing systems like ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.
Technical Writing: Ability to write clear, concise, and defensible technical reports, policies, and investigation findings.
Risk Assessment Methodologies: Skilled in conducting JHA, PHA, and other formal risk assessment techniques.
Ergonomics: Competency in performing ergonomic evaluations and recommending practical solutions.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to analyze safety metrics and present findings effectively to various audiences.

Soft Skills

Influence & Leadership: Proven ability to influence change and build consensus without direct authority, driving a positive safety culture.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of effectively training and presenting to diverse groups from the shop floor to senior leadership.
Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Adept at identifying complex problems, analyzing information from multiple sources, and developing innovative and practical solutions.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to documentation, compliance tracking, and hazard identification.
Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and remain composed during emergency situations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a related field or a relevant, active professional certification (e.g., CSP, CIH, CHMM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Occupational Health and Safety
Safety Engineering or Management
Industrial Hygiene
Environmental Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-8 years of progressive experience in an Environmental, Health, and Safety role within a manufacturing, industrial, or construction environment.

Preferred:

Experience in a unionized environment and/or a facility with Process Safety Management (PSM) covered processes.
A demonstrated track record of successfully implementing safety programs that resulted in measurable reductions in incident rates (e.g., TRIR, DART).