What are the responsibilities and job description for the Safety Specialist position at Northeast Ohio Natural Gas?
POSITION SUMMARY
The Safety Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and compliance of operations within the natural gas utilities sector. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining safety programs, policies, and training initiatives to reduce risk, protect employees, and maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of occupational safety in the natural gas industry and a commitment to fostering a culture of safety.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain Safety Programs: Maintain safety protocols, procedures, and standards in alignment with OSHA, DOT, and other regulatory guidelines relevant to natural gas operations.
- Conduct Safety Training: Lead safety training programs for employees, contractors, and vendors, covering essential topics such as hazard communication, emergency response, confined space entry, and gas leak detection.
- Perform Safety Audits and Inspections: Conduct regular site inspections and audits of natural gas facilities and work sites to identify potential hazards, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide corrective action plans.
- Incident Investigation: Lead investigations of safety incidents, near-misses, and accidents. Compile and analyze data, prepare reports, and recommend improvements to prevent future occurrences.
- Monitor Compliance: Ensure all safety activities adhere to company policies, industry best practices, and regulatory requirements, including OSHA, PHMSA, and local standards.
- Promote Safety Culture: Act as a safety advocate, promoting a positive safety culture and continuously improving safety practices.
- Coordinate Emergency Response: Support emergency response efforts, assisting with drills, evacuation plans, and training exercises to prepare for potential emergencies, such as gas leaks or other hazardous events.
- Maintain Safety Records: Keep accurate and detailed records of inspections, audits, incidents, and safety activities to meet regulatory requirements and support continuous improvement efforts.
- Support Safety Programs and Initiatives: Collaborate with the Safety Manager and other stakeholders to design and implement safety initiatives, policies, and programs to reduce risk.
- Review pending and upcoming changes to PHMSA & associated state pipeline safety regulations
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The team member in this role will be an individual contributor without supervisory responsibility.
REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Knowledge: Strong understanding of OSHA, DOT, and PHMSA regulations, with specific experience in natural gas safety and compliance standards.
- Skills: Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills. Proficient in safety management software and MS Office Suite
EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field. Certifications such as CSP (Certified Safety Professional) or CHST (Construction Health and Safety Technician) are a plus.
- Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years in a safety role, preferably within the natural gas, utilities, or energy sectors.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to perform physical inspections at job sites, including climbing, bending, and standing for extended periods. Valid driver’s license required.
WORK CONTEXT
- Environment: Combination of office and fieldwork, including visits to facilities and job sites.
- Travel: Moderate travel within the service area may be required.
- This is a full-time exempt salaried position