Job Description

This is GasTech’s first position dedicated solely to the health, safety, and environmental (HSE) function. Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Senior HSE Specialist will lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of GasTech’s safety programs and will be instrumental in establishing and strengthening a culture of safety throughout our heavy fabrication shop and facility. Because this is a newly created role, the successful candidate will be responsible for setting up the HSE function – assessing current practices, building and formalizing programs, processes, and recordkeeping systems, and driving process improvement over time. This position holds employees, supervisors, contractors, and visitors accountable to GasTech’s safety policies, including PPE requirements and safe work practices, and partners with leaders at every level so that working safely becomes the expected standard, not the exception.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Building the HSE Function

· Assess the current state of GasTech’s safety programs, policies, training, and records, and present a gap analysis with a prioritized implementation plan to the Director of Operations within the first 90 days.

· Develop, implement, and maintain written safety programs, policies, and procedures in compliance with OSHA general industry standards (29 CFR 1910) and applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including but not limited to hazard communication, lockout/tagout, confined space, fall protection, respiratory protection, hearing conservation, welding/cutting/hot work, overhead cranes and rigging, powered industrial trucks, machine guarding, and electrical safety.

· Establish the processes, forms, metrics, and recordkeeping systems needed to sustain the HSE function long term.

· Conduct PPE hazard assessments and establish PPE standards by work area and task.

· Perform job hazard analyses (JHAs) and risk assessments to minimize workplace injuries, occupational illnesses, and long-term health hazards.

· Continuously evaluate program effectiveness and lead process improvement initiatives to reduce work process risks.

Safety Culture and Accountability

· Serve as a visible, hands-on safety leader with a daily presence on the shop floor.

· Consistently hold employees, supervisors, contractors, and visitors accountable to GasTech’s safety policies, including PPE and safe work practices; stop unsafe work and address noncompliance directly and professionally.

· Partner with Human Resources and supervisors to ensure safety violations are documented and addressed consistently through GasTech’s progressive discipline process.

· Lead culture change initiatives such as a safety committee, near-miss and hazard reporting, safety observations, toolbox talks, and recognition of safe behavior.

· Coach, guide, and mentor managers, supervisors, and leads so they take ownership of safety in their own areas.

· Develop and track leading and lagging safety indicators (e.g., near misses, observations, TRIR, DART) and report performance and trends to leadership.

Safety Training

· Develop, implement, and deliver employee safety training, including new hire safety orientation, annual refreshers, task-specific training, and equipment qualifications (e.g., forklift and overhead crane).

· Work with Human Resources to develop the safety criteria for new hire onboarding training and to maintain accurate training records.

Inspections, Incidents, and Compliance

· Perform safety audits, surveys, and inspections; prepare written reports of findings with recommendations for corrective and preventive measures; and follow through to closure.

· Lead incident, injury, and near-miss investigations using root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

· Prepare and maintain the OSHA 300, 300A, and 301 logs and required regulatory reporting; serve as the primary point of contact during OSHA inspections.

· Partner with Human Resources on workplace injury reporting, workers’ compensation claims, and return-to-work/modified duty coordination.

· Manage contractor and visitor safety orientation and oversight while on GasTech premises.

· Maintain emergency action and fire prevention plans, coordinate drills, and oversee first aid and emergency response readiness.

Environmental and Customer Support

· Support environmental compliance, including hazardous waste, stormwater, chemical inventory, and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) management, as applicable to GasTech’s operations.

· Complete customer safety prequalification questionnaires and HSE audits, and maintain third-party safety compliance platforms as required by customers.

· Periodically participate in HAZOP and/or project status review meetings with customers.

· Collaborate with Quality, Operational Excellence, and Maintenance on continuous improvement initiatives that affect safety.

Requirements

· Minimum of five (5) years of progressive, hands-on safety experience in a heavy manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial construction environment is required; seven (7) or more years is preferred.

· Demonstrated excellence in enforcing PPE requirements and safe work practices and holding employees accountable, with measurable results (e.g., reduced incident rates, improved audit or observation results), is required.

· Past experience successfully leading a safety culture change at another organization is required. Candidates should be prepared to describe specific examples and outcomes.

· Demonstrated experience setting up, implementing, and improving safety programs, processes, and systems is required. Experience as the first or sole safety professional at an organization is strongly preferred.

· Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Industrial Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field is preferred but not required.

· OSHA 30-Hour General Industry certification is required (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire). OSHA 500/501/510/511 trainer credentials are preferred.

· Professional safety certification such as ASP, CSP, OHST, CHST, or CSHM is preferred but not required.

· Thorough working knowledge of OSHA general industry standards and the hazards associated with welding, cutting, overhead cranes and rigging, forklifts, and heavy fabrication is required.

· Must have the confidence, credibility, and presence to work effectively with shop employees and hold their own on the shop floor, while communicating professionally with all levels of the organization, customers, contractors, and regulators.

· Strong incident investigation, root cause analysis, and problem-solving skills are required.

· Must be a self-starter with a ‘can do’ attitude, able to work independently, set priorities, and build structure where little exists.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills and intermediate to advanced skills in the Microsoft Office suite are required.

· Experience working in an ISO 9001 and/or ISO 45001 environment is preferred but not required.

· A cooperative, positive, and team-oriented approach is required.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

· Our office provides common office equipment such as computers, printers, and copiers for staff to use as needed.

· The majority of work time will be spent in our shop area, which is a heavy construction and fabrication environment.

· Keyboard and computer work involves fine dexterity use of hands/fingers for sustained periods of time.

· Routine work and staff interactions within our office environment occur daily.

· Must be able to withstand prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, climbing, and lifting up to 25 lbs. unassisted, and fluctuations in temperature.

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

· Must be able to wear all required PPE and follow all safety protocols while in our shop area.

· Schedule flexibility is required to be present during all shop working hours, including scheduled overtime, as needed.