HSE Specialist

SUMMARYThe position is responsible for supporting the Plant Management team in setting and implementing requirements to prevent injuries, incidents and protect employee safety, health and company assets by providing training, coaching, auditing and technical support to the facilities assigned to them. In addition, this position will assist with environmental compliance.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESMay include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as the technical resource in ensuring compliance with OSHA and environmental regulations at both the state and federal level for the locations they are responsible for.
• Work with the HS leadership team to develop recommendations for improvement of procedures, practices and activities which prevent the effective execution of the plant Health, Safety & Hygiene mission.
• Assist the site(s) in implementing the Accident Prevention Plan and associated health and safety policies and procedures.
• Review hazard assessments and site audits, make recommendations, assist in development of solutions and follow up through closure.
• Take on projects from start to finish as assigned to achieve department and business unit goals.
• Support plants in conducting root cause analysis investigations and the development of corrective actions.
• Consult with plant management on a routine basis to facilitate and support individual plant needs to achieve goals and develop the safety culture.
• Review with Engineering and conduct appropriate reviews of proposed changes in processes or equipment to insure compliance with safety and health standards including ergonomics. 
• Initiate activities that stimulate and maintain employee interest in the plant's Health and Safety programs.
• Coordinate industrial hygiene monitoring activities at the site
• Attend seminars and meetings to assist in maintaining current safety policies and in obtaining new ideas to implement more effective programs.
• Serve as a resource in managing Workers’ Compensation claims where necessary and assist the plant(s) in recordability determinations
• Assist in the development of employee safety orientation and training is completed and is effective.
• Liaison with plant and governmental officials during inspections and resolution of potential issues.
• Assist in training hourly, salary and management personnel at plant sites to elevate the safety culture and the knowledge of the organization on conformance to policies, procedures and compliance with regulations
• Analyze incident data and provide feedback and direction to site to help them focus on key areas for improvement and the development of site Safety Performance Improvement Plans.
• Ability to communicate effectively up and down through the organization.
• Assist the plant management teams in maintaining a safe working environment for all employees and ensuring that employees follow established safety rules to ensure the goal of zero injuries.
• Assist with incident investigations involving injuries, incidents, and near misses.
• Maintain level of quality consistent with established standards.
• Comply with established safety rules.
• Comply with company policy and procedures.
• Maintain constructive working relationships with co-workers, leads, supervisors, and managers.
• Maintain regular attendance in accordance with company policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned to the satisfaction of supervisor and/or lead.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• BS Degree in Business, Environmental or Safety Management or related field preferred.  A closely related field along with a CSP designation would be considered.
• Experience of 3 - 5 years in health and safety with multi-site responsibility is preferred.
• Knowledgeable in Federal, State, fire safety, ANSI standards, and general Workers’ Compensation laws.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedural manuals; Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public. 
• Must be a self-starter with good time management and communication skills; be able to organize people and tasks; possess leadership skills; have a strong working knowledge of the company and its products and be accomplished in professional sales techniques. 
• Ability to develop training and train employees on safety related subjects.
• Excellent computer skills with knowledge in Microsoft Office is required.
• Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.  Good verbal communication is essential.

PHYSICAL DEMANDSWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk and climb; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and infrequently lift and/or move up to 35 lbs.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.   The employee must frequently make minor decisions with limited information, general decisions in the absence of specific directions, and perform activities requiring sustained concentration.

WORK ENVIRONMENTThe noise level in the work environment is sometimes moderate when working in an office, however, some of the work may be required in the operating units which mandates usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.  During active remediation additional requirements may include fit testing for respiratory equipment, chemical suits, face shields, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs.  Moderate travel (20-40%) may be required in the performance of duties.

About Westlake:

Westlake (NYSE: WLK) is a global diversified industrial company that manufactures and supplies essential products that enhance the daily lives of people around the globe. Our products, now under a One Westlake brand, supply the necessary building blocks for everyday products across housing and infrastructure, packaging and healthcare, and automotive and consumer goods. Consumers gain the benefits of materials Westlake produces in products such as food packaging, medical devices, soaps and detergents, car interiors, fashion, toys, shoes, furniture, electronics, siding, stone veneer, windows, outdoor living, roofing, and pipe & fittings. Westlake is proud to contribute to driving a sustainable future through the creation of essential products that are Enhancing Your Life Every Day®.

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