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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Safety Assistant

💰 $ - $

SafetyWarehouseLogisticsOccupational Health

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Safety Assistant supports the site Safety Manager and operations leadership by executing safety program tasks that reduce incidents, improve compliance, and reinforce a proactive safety culture across receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping areas. This is a tactical, hands-on role that balances routine inspections and reporting with training delivery, corrective action follow-up, and collaboration with operations, HR, and facilities teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate with safety responsibilities (e.g., lead or trainer)
  • EHS Intern or Safety Coordinator I
  • Facilities or Maintenance Technician with safety exposures

Advancement To:

  • Safety Coordinator / Safety Specialist
  • EHS Supervisor
  • Site Safety Manager or Regional Safety Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Training Specialist (Operations Training)
  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Continuous Improvement / Process Safety Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct daily and weekly warehouse safety inspections across docks, racking, aisles, mezzanines, and equipment zones; document findings, assign risk ratings, and track corrective actions to closure in the safety management system.
  • Perform routine forklift, pallet jack, and powered industrial truck observations; ensure operators hold valid certifications and coach on safe operation when unsafe behaviors or near-misses are observed.
  • Lead and deliver job-specific safety briefings, new-hire orientation safety training, toolbox talks, and monthly refresher sessions on topics such as PPE use, material handling, and ergonomics.
  • Support incident and near-miss reporting: collect statements, secure evidence, document timeline, and prepare preliminary incident reports for review by the Safety Manager, including photos and witness interviews.
  • Assist in root cause analysis (5 Whys or RCA) for incidents and near misses and coordinate implementation of corrective and preventive actions with operations and maintenance teams.
  • Maintain and update training records, safety certifications, and OSHA logs (e.g., OSHA 300/301 or local equivalent), ensuring timely and accurate recordkeeping and regulatory readiness for audits.
  • Monitor and enforce PPE compliance (hard hats, safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, hi-vis, steel-toe footwear) and inventory PPE supplies, initiating procurement requests when stock levels fall below thresholds.
  • Execute scheduled and random hazard assessments (chemical, ergonomic, fire, slip/trip/fall) and recommend engineering or administrative controls to reduce identified risks.
  • Administer and maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) library and communicate hazardous materials handling requirements to receiving and shipping teams.
  • Support Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and machinery guarding programs by conducting audits, assisting in LOTO application during maintenance windows, and verifying compliance with procedures.
  • Coordinate and support emergency response drills (fire, spill, active shooter, evacuation) and update emergency action plans; operate as part of the emergency response team during incidents.
  • Conduct safety audits of contractors, temporary labor, and third-party logistics (3PL) personnel working onsite; ensure compliance with site safety rules and contractor safety agreements.
  • Track and report key safety metrics and KPIs (TRIR, DART, near-miss frequency, corrective action closure rate), prepare weekly and monthly safety dashboards, and present findings to operations leadership.
  • Assist with ergonomic assessments of picking and packing tasks, recommend workstation changes or lifting aids, and pilot ergonomic interventions to reduce MSD risk.
  • Verify signage, aisle markings, floor tape, and barrier placement meet company standards and regulatory requirements; coordinate facility repairs with maintenance for hazards impacting safety.
  • Support cold storage, hazardous materials, or high-bay operations by enforcing area-specific controls, safe work procedures, and training for exposed employees.
  • Participate in pre-shift and post-shift safety walkthroughs with supervisors and leads to communicate open items, reinforce safe work practices, and close small corrective actions in real time.
  • Facilitate behavior-based safety observations and recognition programs; document positive observations and coach employees privately on observed at-risk behaviors.
  • Assist with pesticide, chemical, and spill response management including containment, cleanup coordination, and regulatory reporting when required.
  • Maintain and assist in deployment of automated safety systems (sensors, interlocks, alarms), ensuring calibration, testing, and documented checks are performed on schedule.
  • Support continuous improvement projects to reduce manual material handling, optimize traffic flows, and minimize cross-traffic (pedestrian vs. equipment).
  • Provide on-the-floor support during seasonal surges and special projects, ensuring temporary workflows comply with safety procedures and temporary staff receive appropriate orientation.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain the site safety library, policy manuals, and standard operating procedures; draft updates and coordinate review cycles with Corporate EHS teams.
  • Support cost tracking for safety initiatives, PPE procurement, and training budgets in partnership with procurement and finance.
  • Assist HR with return-to-work documentation, light-duty job creation, and accommodations related to work-related injuries.
  • Help onboard temporary and contract workers by delivering condensed safety orientations and ensuring credential and certification verification.
  • Participate in continuous improvement teams to integrate safety requirements into new process designs, racking layouts, and warehouse automation projects.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and warehouse-specific regulatory requirements (e.g., powered industrial truck standards, hazard communication).
  • Proficient in conducting safety inspections, audits, and hazard assessments with documented corrective action tracking.
  • Incident investigation and root cause analysis techniques (5 Whys, fishbone diagrams).
  • Ability to deliver adult-learning style safety training, toolbox talks, and new-hire safety orientations.
  • Familiarity with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, and confined space basics as applied to distribution centers.
  • Proficiency with safety management and incident tracking software (e.g., iAuditor, Gensuite, Cority, or in-house systems) and MS Office (Excel for KPI tracking).
  • Knowledge of SDS/MSDS management, hazardous materials handling, and basic spill response procedures.
  • Comfortable performing ergonomic assessments and recommending engineering/administrative controls.
  • Experience conducting powered industrial truck observations and enforcing certification requirements.
  • Ability to read blueprints/layouts and assess traffic flows, storage configurations, and racking integrity for safety risks.

Soft Skills

  • Strong verbal communication skills for training, coaching, and cross-functional coordination with operations and maintenance.
  • Observation and attention-to-detail to identify subtle hazards and unsafe behaviors on the floor.
  • Problem-solving and decision-making under time pressure during incidents and near-misses.
  • Influence and persuasion skills to gain buy-in for safety initiatives from front-line associates and supervisors.
  • Time management and prioritization to balance inspection cadence, incident response, and training duties.
  • Empathy and diplomacy when delivering corrective feedback and conducting interviews after incidents.
  • Teamwork and collaboration across departments (HR, Facilities, Operations, Procurement) to close safety gaps.
  • Continuous improvement mindset with openness to feedback and data-driven safety solutions.
  • Resilience and composure in emergency or high-stress situations.
  • Report writing and documentation skills to produce clear, concise incident reports and audit summaries.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's degree in Occupational Safety, Industrial Technology, Environmental Health, or related field.
  • Coursework or certifications in occupational safety and health preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Occupational Safety & Health
  • Industrial Technology / Engineering Technology
  • Environmental Health
  • Logistics / Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–4 years of safety-related experience in warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing environments.

Preferred:

  • 2–5 years focused on warehouse safety with documented experience in inspections, incident investigations, and training delivery.
  • Experience with warehouse automation, cold storage protocols, or hazardous materials handling is a plus.
  • Preferred certifications: OSHA 10/30 Hour Outreach, First Aid/CPR, Forklift Trainer, HAZWOPER (as applicable), or equivalent safety credentials.
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