Safety Specialist

About Kanto Corporation

Kanto is a leading U.S. manufacturer of high-purity specialty chemicals that power the world's most advanced industries. With a legacy of precision, safety, and innovation, we support global leaders in semiconductor, technology, and chemical processing by delivering products that meet uncompromising standards of quality and reliability.

At Kanto, we believe our people are our greatest strength. We foster a culture where collaboration, continuous improvement, and excellence are not just values, but daily practices. Joining Kanto means contributing to work that shapes the future of technology and manufacturing—while growing your career in a dynamic, high-impact environment.

The Role at a Glance

The Safety Specialist plays a critical and highly visible role in ensuring the health and safety of employees operating in a high-purity chemical production environment. This position focuses on proactive safety efforts, hazard identification, training, and ongoing cultural improvement to reduce workplace incidents and strengthen safe operational practices.

A successful Safety Specialist is hands-on, approachable, detail-focused, and able to influence how teams work. This role maintains a strong presence on the production floor, working closely with Operations, Warehouse, Technical, and Support teams to promote safe behaviors and compliance. It further ensures a robust safety culture across PMF and alignment with OSHA and all relevant federal and state requirements.

What You'll Do

Safety Audits & Hazard Analysis

• Conduct routine safety audits and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) across office, production, warehouse, material handling, and yard operations.
• Identify risks and hazards associated with specific tasks (e.g., leak testing acid drums in Acid 1-1) and recommend effective mitigation strategies.
• Continuously assess work practices, ensuring consistent implementation and adherence to safe work procedures across all operational areas.

Regulatory Compliance

• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders—including the PSM Manager—to ensure all safety programs meet OSHA, federal, state, and local requirements.
• Maintain complete documentation and readiness for all compliance inspections.
• Ensure completion and maintenance of all required OSHA mandates and other industry-required safety programs.

Safety Culture Expansion

• Lead and facilitate monthly safety committee meetings.
• Create and deliver toolbox talks, visual safety communications, and other awareness content.
• Maintain, stock, and organize PPE stations at all point-of-use locations and monitor inventory.
• Apply industry best practices and behavioral-based safety principles to influence positive culture change.
• Keep safety practices and expectations highly visible throughout PMF's operating areas.

Training & Program Administration

• Create, assign, and track required safety training for all staff using KPA or equivalent LMS.
• Partner with department leaders to ensure training completion and compliance.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of training through follow-up audits, observations, and employee feedback.

Floor Engagement & Presence

• Maintain a "Coach-makes-the-rounds" approach, spending up to 50% of work time on the production floor.
• Engage with teams daily to observe work practices, assess behaviors, reinforce safety expectations, and support safe decision-making.

Other Duties

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support Kanto's overall environmental, health, and safety goals.

Safety Responsibilities

Follows all Kanto and customer safety requirements and completes all required safety training. Actively participates in hazard identification, near-miss reporting, and safety improvements. Must be able to wear appropriate PPE, including respiratory protection, safety glasses, face shields, hard hats, chemical protective clothing, and other equipment as required.

Qualifications

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Education & Experience

• 4-5 years of experience in a safety-related role, preferably in chemical, industrial, or manufacturing environments.
• Candidates who have a degree or certification from a program such as WSU's Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) program and have 2-3 years of experience may also apply.
• OSHA 30 or HAZWOPER certification preferred (or willingness to obtain).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, influence, and drive improvement initiatives.
• No formal degree required; equivalent experience and certifications are valued.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to identify problems, collect data, assess risks, interpret safety standards, and make sound recommendations. Able to work through both concrete and abstract variables with solid judgment.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to walk, stand, twist, use hands, reach, speak, and hear alarms or spoken communication.
• Frequently required to climb, stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Must meet all physical requirements for respirator use (medical clearance and fit test).
• Must be able to work in PPE for extended periods when required.

Work Environment

Employees regularly work around moving mechanical equipment and flammable, corrosive, or toxic chemicals. Work may occur at heights (typically under 15 feet) and may involve participation in emergency response activities. Noise levels are generally moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Why Join Kanto

• Drive meaningful, company-wide safety improvements with strong leadership support.
• Collaborate directly with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Warehouse, and Production teams.
• Support high-purity chemical operations that enable advanced global industries.
• Competitive pay, generous FTO, 10 paid holidays, comprehensive medical/dental benefits, tuition assistance, and long-term career growth opportunities.

Ready to Apply?

Click the "Apply" button to submit your resume. We look forward to learning more about you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kanto Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and talents that each individual brings and are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels respected, included, and empowered to contribute to our shared success.

Day Shift (with floor-presence expectations across operations)