Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Job Description:

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Description

1. Develops, implements, oversees, coordinates, administers, and promotes the JPA’s occupational health, safety, and hazard/risk/loss control management programs; oversees, monitors and evaluates the JPA’s occupational health and safety management programs to ensure compliance with CAL OSHA and related safety and health regulations. 
2. Evaluates working conditions and operational practices and inspects JPA facilities and equipment to identify occupational health and safety hazards and other violations; follows-up with relevant Supervisors regarding the timely correction of noted violations. 
3. Identifies, reports and provides solutions to management regarding employee occupational health, safety, and hazard/risk/loss control management programs and regulatory compliances. 
4. Performs, coordinates, facilitates, and conducts all occupational health, safety, and related trainings. Coordinates Annual FIT Testing for AWP respirators and Respiratory Clearance Medical Exams for AWP staff who wear respirators.
5. Assists in the development and revision of Emergency Operations plans for the East County AWP as required. Oversight of AWP Automated External Defibrillator Maintenance & Inspection.
6. Performs investigations of all accidents and incidents independently and in coordination with other regulatory agencies as required. 
7. In coordination with the appropriate administrator, prepares and recommends budgets for safety-related equipment; advises on the development of specifications for the purchase of safety materials and safety-related equipment, periodically checks the operation and use of equipment to ensure performance and conformance with JPA/District standards. 
8. Assists Safety & Risk Manager in conducting job hazard analyses and works with employees to correct safety violations and hazards. Works collaboratively on all Management of Change Processes.
9. Administers a hazardous materials program including waste minimization procedures; reviews chemicals used by the JPA; in conjunction with Operations and Maintenance teams, coordinates the first responder clean-up for hazardous waste spills/incidents; provides technical guidance in the clean-up and removal of hazardous materials/waste. 
10. Ensures that hazardous waste and surplus chemicals are disposed of in compliance with local and state regulations; prepares waste regulatory reports. 
11. Administers and ensures OSHA and Cal ARP compliance with the JPA’s Risk Management Plan for chemical storage and responses to accidental spills of regulated substances.
12. Advises management on technical and administrative matters related to occupational health, safety, and risk/loss management programs. Ensures Risk Management Plan is in compliance at all times.
13. Coordinates with Laboratory Supervisor to ensure compliance with OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.1450, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories and developing and maintaining the Chemical Hygiene Plan.   
14. Oversees safety training and mandated training programs in compliance with local, state and federal laws. This includes quarterly confined space training and HAZWOPER training.
15. Oversees testing and certification requirements for industrial lifting equipment. 
16. Responds, investigates, and identifies all employee occupational health and safety complaints and hazard reporting; reports safety issues to Human Resources. 
17. Collaborates with management to review accidents, hazard complaints, incidents reports, injuries and near misses and investigates causes; identifies areas of high injury and accident ratings and develops safety programs to address them. 
18. In coordination with the appropriate administrator, oversees and manages loss control/safety, safety data sheet (SDS) and safety training database vendors, reconciles invoices and initiates payments for contracted services rendered. 
19. Administers and oversees Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space Entry, and National Fire Protection Association 70 safety programs in accordance with regulatory requirements. Manages small quantity generator to large generator complexities.
20. Coordinates regular Safety, Fire and Emergency Drills Annually for the Facility.
21. Coordinates with the Safety & Risk Manager, AWP Operations Supervisor, AWP Maintenance Supervisor, Laboratory Supervisor and Engineering and Compliance Manager to ensure compliance with safety, emergency preparedness and hazard/risk/loss control management programs, activities and associated training.
22. Participates in department, project and construction meetings to review designs and activities associated with JPA/District facilities and projects; attends conferences, trainings and seminars to keep abreast of industry practices, trends, health, safety, loss control legislative and regulatory changes; evaluates implications for JPA/District policies, programs and operations and recommends changes to ensure compliance. This includes Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center, Water Utility Safety Managers Association, Water Agency Emergency Collaborative, InfraGard and Public Agency Risk Management Association meetings.
23. Manages Cal-OSHA and Cal-ARP inspections and follow-up activity required.
24. Assists Safety & Risk Manager with WC, GL & Property Claims, Annual hearing exams for employees, annual insurance renewals, 1st and 3rd party claims handling, workers compensation claim handling, ADA Transition Plan Maintenance and FEMA & Cal-OES Grant Applications.
25. Performs other duties as required.

Salary:

$43.25