Senior Occupational Health & Safety Specialist

SALARY $125,000 - $132,500

POSITION SUMMARY

Plans and coordinates the activities of employees engaged in the formulation of safety standards, procedures and specifications including methodologies and strategies that promote injury prevention and work safety. Collaborates with all Authority departments to analyze working conditions and procedures and recommends safety improvements. Audits accident data to identify trends and accidents that can be prevented with improved processes

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads comprehensive inspections and audits of various CTA property locations and sites, including facilities, shops, and garages to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and CTA regulations.

Performs thorough inspections and audits at various CTA locations, including facilities, shops, and garages to ensure they meet OSHA and CTA safety standards. Reviews inspection reports and records to confirm compliance with safety regulations. Identifies deficiencies and areas of risk within transit property locations and suggests facility and work area improvements.

Assists in identifying and implementing long-term solutions to systemic safety issues identified in inspections and investigations to minimize severity and preventing recurrence.

Develops and implements proactive safety initiatives to eliminate or control unsafe behaviors, environments, and hazards in accordance with OSHA regulations and CTA requirements. This includes creating safety programs, policies, procedures, training objectives, and other initiatives to promote safe operations and prevent incidents.

Evaluates audit findings and accident data to identify hazards and accident types that can be prevented. Performs Safety assessments of CTA facilities, garages, and shop safety processes and procedures to document compliance requirements and recommends corrective actions or changes to policies and procedures that promote regulatory compliance.

Implements safety programs and training to field personnel on CTA safety programs and procedures. Monitors and reports on the effectiveness of implemented safety programs.

Serves as subject matter expert to conduct reviews and analysis of new and existing standard operating procedures, operating rules, bulletins and training programs to ensure that the latest requirements are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations and codes.

Facilitates safety incident / event and injury investigations and assists managers in creating corrective and/or preventative action. Reviews injury report findings to determine if event is isolated or if it applies CTA wide, and determine if mitigations are necessary surrounding processes, procedures, or engineering solutions.

Analyzes federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to occupational safety and health to develop and prepare safety programs and procedures to ensure CTA compliance and safety. This includes Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) laws and regulations.

Leads the administration of a variety of programs addressing occupational health and safety issues including trauma, blood borne pathogen, hearing conservation, and other safety related programs. Evaluates program goals and objectives, determines training or support requirements, and makes recommendations on program implementation plans.

Performs and reviews Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) to identify hazardous working conditions and unsafe employee activities for the purpose of elimination or control and recommends solutions to eliminate and/or minimize risk. Effectively identifies hazardous conditions and recommends corrections when appropriate.

Hires, trains, supervises, develops, monitors, and evaluates staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval. Ensures ongoing professional development for all direct reports, including identifying pertinent training opportunities and encouraging active participation in safety professional societies.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

CHALLENGES

• Keeping abreast of all compliance regulations with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory compliance programs.
• Involvement with the regulatory agencies (e.g., Chicago Dept. of Public Health, Illinois Dept. of Labor)
• Remaining clam dealing with multiple constraints or deadlines in a 24-hour 7 days a week operation.
• Keeping abreast of all CTA operations in connection with safety aspects.
• Maintaining awareness of liability concerns when dealing with legal community and oversight organizations.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Title:

• Occupational Safety Officer(s)
• Industrial / Senior Industrial Hygienist

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Safety, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, or a related field plus five (5) years of experience in creating and maintaining safety initiatives and/or Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) practices, or a combination of education and experience related to the position.
• Must have five (5) years of experience in leading a team.
• Valid driver's license (DL) required.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Demands include extensive moving (up to 3 miles at one time), sometimes on rocks and on narrow catwalks, and traversing (such as onto trains and back down and up and down ladders of various sizes).
• Must wear applicable restrictive personal protective equipment.
• Must be able to lift various objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Detailed knowledge of the application of all Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and regulatory compliance programs. · Detailed knowledge of Safety Management System (SMS) Practices.
• Detailed knowledge of the methods and practices in evaluating and inspecting workplaces, processes, products, or other systems.
• Working knowledge of CTA operations, facilities, vehicles, rules and procedures desired.
• Working knowledge of the methods and practices of investigations, research, analysis, and/or data compilation and report presentation.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong oral and written communications skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills in dealing with external groups and/or organizations.
• Good customer service skills.
• Intermediate project management skills.
• Ability to apply safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise or resolve technical matters.
• Ability to analyze or interpret job processes to determine the probability of hazards.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work with sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other Departments.
• Ability to anticipate, identify and evaluate hazardous conditions and practices
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate hazard control designs, methods, procedures and programs

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment. Required to carry a cellular phone / tablet.
• Required to travel to various CTA property locations including facilities, garages, and shops.
• Working conditions are varied and include all weather ranges (from extreme cold to extreme heat, rain to snow and ice, etc.).
• Conditions also include working at extreme heights; working near electrified third rail; working in subway tunnels with limited clearance, visibility, etc.
• May be required to work various extended or irregular hours (including afternoons, nights, or weekend shifts) in order to respond to CTA safety related issues or emergencies.
• Must be available to respond to calls or email inquiries outside regular work hours

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment. personal computer and related software (Microsoft Office Suite, and other related software).
• Various types of measuring devices, digital camera, personal computers (including handheld devices), label maker, various types of gauges, light tools (wrenches and screwdrivers), reflective safety vests, respirator, personal protective clothing, etc.