Environmental & Health Safety Specialist (0078121)

Temporary/Permanent:

Permanent

Duties and Responsibilities

• *Maintains, updates and implements a comprehensive health and safety program for the Campus Operations & Facilities (COPF) including roof access, lockout-tagout, confined space entry, fall protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection, blood borne pathogens, HAZCOM, ladder safety, electrical / arc flash, and radiation/radiofrequency safety.
• *Maintains, updates COPF Safety Manual.
• *Conducts safety audits for COPF work sites to identify workplace hazards and provide written reports with observations and recommendations for corrective action, which are predicated on a thorough understanding of the hierarchy of controls.
• *Works closely with UH Environmental Health & Safety Office to conduct inspections and audits of COPF operations and associated work sites for compliance with environmental regulations such as the Clean Water Act (storm water management).
• *Develops and maintains a monitoring program to identify, evaluate and control exposures to hazardous conditions and materials in maintenance activities.
• *Works closely with UH Environmental Health & Safety Office to maintain a program to identify and manage regulated and hazardous wastes generated by COPF units.
• *Develops and conducts a safety training program for COPF. Assist COPF units in preparation of specific safety training information and evaluates adequacy and effectiveness of safety related programs and training. Responds to COPF employee safety concerns.
• *Maintains and updates all safety training records.
• *Develops an accident injury and illness prevention program. Conducts near-miss and incident investigations to identify causes of injuries or illness. Produces written reports including recommendations for corrective actions to prevent recurrences.
• *Maintains relevant accident statistics and conducts analyses of data to identify potential problem areas or operations. Develops training programs or other corrective measures to address these trends.
• Assists with work orders related to asbestos containing materials.
• Assists COPF personnel in the selection and procurement of personal protective equipment and other safety equipment.
• *Serves as liaison with the UH Environmental Health and Safety Office and the Radiation Safety and Biosafety Offices.
• *Serves as COPF contact for OSHA, HIOSH or other health and safety inspection or audit. Coordinates COPF response to external health and safety inspection or audit. Also works with UH- EHSO for all regulatory guidance and correspondence with Regulatory Agencies such as HIOSH and EPA, CWA.
• *Arranges and coordinates meetings of the COPF Safety Committee on a regular basis.
• Reviews new construction or repair design documents as needed for safety concerns.
• Prepares the annual OSHA 300/300A logs for COPF unit injuries.
• Maintains an accident/illness injury log that’s updated at one month intervals.
• Other duties as assigned.

(* Denotes Essential Functions)

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in **occupational health and safety, environmental science, industrial hygiene, public health, or related fields and 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for **health and safety activities dealing with industrial and/or construction; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of occupational health and safety as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• **Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with occupational health and safety and methods and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
• **If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
• Knowledge of fall protection, confined space entry, machine operation safety, blood borne pathogens, HAZCOM and radio frequencies, as it relates to occupational health and safety.
• Considerable knowledge of methods and procedures used in conducting facilities safety inspections.
• Considerable knowledge of general practices and methods utilized in injury/illness prevention programs.
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and use sound logic and judgement in the application of a variety of laws, rules, regulations and codes.
• Ability to conduct inspections in various indoor and outdoor environments in areas with noise, fumes, dust and odors which may require climbing ladders and crawling through tight spaces.
• Ability to wear required PPE such as hard hats, respirators, safety glasses, etc.
• Considerable knowledge of hazardous materials and rules and regulations pertaining to hazardous waste disposal.
• Ability to respond via email, telephone and/or in person to after hour emergency situations.

(** Denotes amendments)

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working with craft unions and various trades.
• Experience in college/university health and safety program.
• Demonstrated facilities management and operations experiences.
• Proficiency with programs such as E-Builder or Blubeam.
• Asbestos Inspector Certification
• HAZWOPER Certification