Safety Specialist

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Interpret and communicate Federal, State and Local laws, regulations, rules and codes, and ensure they are observed.
• Provide communication, instruction, audits, and serve to ensure compliance in each area.
• Coordinates the development and updating of safety documentation, including SOSP's and JSAs for plant positions.
• Coordinate trainings for new and existing employees.
• Perform daily, weekly, monthly inspections and audits.
• Help develop controls for identified hazards, coordinate the implementation of controls from result of hazard analysis.
• Participate in incident investigations, spill abatement, or other safety related events and recommend corrective actions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the hazard control system, policies, and procedures and recommend changes that reflect improved opportunities to eliminate work place accidents and injuries.
• Compile, analyze, interpret, and report accidents. Follow up on corrective actions to ensure completion. Review property and injury reports.
• Plan, develop and implement safety training for new employee orientation and annual required programs.
• Recommend safety strategies to improve safety in each area and across the plants.
• Maintain the OSHA log for all Blue Bird Sites in Georgia
• Work closely with the onsite medical staff on all safety related issues
• Make recommendations regarding safety supplies, products or training items required.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor department to ensure SOPs and SOSPs are established and implemented.
• Attend daily safety department meetings and monthly safety committee meetings.
• Ensure others understand written and verbal instructions and determine when policies are insufficient or ineffective.
• Promote and communicate safety issues to increase safety awareness among employees.
• Mentor and coach employees on behavioral issues as it relates to injury prevention and awareness.
• Conduct other activities as described in the written safety program.
• Identify training needs within departments.
• Direct involvement with organizational wide safety training.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have knowledge of general industry standards, e.g., Hazard Communication Program, Exposure Control Program (Bloodborne Pathogens, TB), Hazard Assessment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Respiratory Protection, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and Confined Space Emergency Action Plan.
• Demonstrated experience building safety programs and record retention excellence
• Must have demonstrated experience dealing with federal and state regulatory agencies.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft products including Excel, Word, Power Point, and Outlook.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to organize and present ideas concisely and clearly are required
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to meet target dates with appropriately responding to changing priorities at times is required
• Good team and interpersonal skills required
• Be able to talk with OSHA/State auditors

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Balanced, dynamic, methodical, analytical and detailed approach to problem solving and able to apply independent judgment to situations
• Exhibits good work ethic, integrity, innate curiosity, collaborative behaviors, and professional conduct
• Must demonstrate leadership, conflict resolution skills; assertiveness, motivational and positive attitude; foster teamwork
• Superior written and verbal communication skills; excellent problem solver; able to interact with personnel at all levels

EDUCATION AND/OR TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of related safety experience in an industrial/manufacturing environment required (automotive preferred)
• Certified Safety Specialist preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience

WORK CONDITIONS:

(The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Office and manufacturing facility environment
• Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• Required wearing of appropriate PPE
• Exposure to hot/cold weather and loud noises in a production environment
• Frequent computer and telephone use
• Frequent communication with people throughout the day

• The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Blue Bird’s winning culture is fueled by our ability to respect, encourage, celebrate and embrace the unique perspectives of all of our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer who is committed to providing all of our employees with a work environment free of discrimination or harassment. We base our employment decisions on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, national, social or ethnic origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, past or present military service, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.