Job Description:
We are seeking an experienced Safety Specialist to lead and strengthen our workplace safety program at a fast-paced meat processing facility. This position is responsible for promoting a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with applicable OSHA and regulatory requirements, identifying and controlling workplace hazards, and reducing injuries and incidents throughout plant operations. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in manufacturing, food processing, meat processing, or another industrial environment and is comfortable working directly with production employees, supervisors, and management.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and manage the plant's overall health and safety program.
Ensure compliance with OSHA, state and local regulations, and applicable food-processing safety requirements.
Conduct regular safety inspections, hazard assessments, and workplace audits.
Identify unsafe conditions and behaviors and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Investigate workplace accidents, injuries, near misses, and safety incidents; identify root causes and track corrective actions.
Develop and deliver employee safety training, including PPE, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, ergonomics, hazard communication, emergency procedures, and safe work practices.
Maintain safety records, reports, inspections, training documentation, and required regulatory documentation.
Partner with supervisors and department leaders to establish safety goals and improve safety performance.
Monitor and improve key safety metrics, including OSHA recordables, lost-time incidents, near misses, and corrective-action completion.
Support workers' compensation claims and return-to-work processes as appropriate.
Evaluate PPE requirements and ensure employees are properly trained in its use.
Assist with emergency preparedness, evacuation procedures, and emergency response planning.
Participate in safety committee meetings and employee engagement initiatives.
Promote a proactive, employee-focused safety culture throughout the facility.
Stay current on changes to OSHA regulations and industry best practices.
Perform other safety-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety principles.
Experience conducting accident investigations and root-cause analyses.
Experience developing and delivering safety training.
Strong communication, leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively with employees at all levels of an organization.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and safety documentation systems.
Ability to work in a physically demanding, temperature-controlled meat-processing environment and regularly walk throughout the production facility.
Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays when operationally necessary.
Preferred Qualifications:
OSHA 30-Hour certification.
Experience with OSHA recordkeeping and reporting.
Experience with lockout/tagout, machine guarding, confined spaces, powered industrial trucks, ergonomics, and chemical safety.
Experience in a USDA-regulated meat or poultry processing facility.
Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.
What We Offer:
Competitive salary based on experience.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Paid time off and paid holidays.
Retirement savings plan with company contribution.
Professional development and safety-certification opportunities.
Opportunity to make a measurable impact on employee safety and plant performance.
