Safety Advisor
Overview
Reporting to the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Safety Advisor Program Co-Managers, the Safety Advisor is the EHS primary liaison and point-of-contact with all campus departments, including areas such as research, clinical, academic, athletic, and support services, and is responsible for providing comprehensive health and safety services and assisting in the University's goal of a safe and healthy workplace and academic environment.
Responsibilities include advising on chemical risks, safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and personal protective equipment. Conducts risk assessments, trainings, and assists with shipping highly regulated materials. Collaborates with researchers, faculty, and staff to promote a culture of safety, reviews high-hazard chemical research protocols, and participates in various EHS programs, including hazardous materials management and controlled substances regulation.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Ability to exercise good judgment regarding health and safety. Demonstrated skills and knowledge in technical safety disciplines (e.g., radiation safety, industrial hygiene, biosafety, chemical safety, environmental monitoring, and sampling methods). Knowledge of radiation detection instrumentation and appropriate calibration procedures.
- Knowledge of DOT, IATA and RCRA regulations, and hazardous waste management. General knowledge of other State and Federal environmental health and safety regulations. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously due to the diversity of EHS services and the wide range of potential work locations on campus.
- Ability to read and interpret shipping regulations/guidelines (DOT and IATA), along with being able to determine whether permits and/or licenses are required by CDC, USDA, USFW, DOC, etc. for research/clinical materials. Ability to learn how to read vector maps and review research documentation to evaluate the need for export licenses.
- Ability to establish and maintain professional, collaborative, service-oriented, cooperative and effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff and regulatory agencies through effective and positive communication.
- Good verbal and written communication, training, and presentation skills, including the abilities to communicate risks effectively, speak clearly and engagingly about health and safety issues before small and large groups. Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, and database computer programs.
Principal Responsibilities
- Performs safety audits and field hazard assessments for laboratories, other work areas, facilities and equipment. Interviews faculty, staff and students, and observes their work practices to verify conformity with standards and best practices, and to check the safety of work areas for University personnel and outside contractors.
- Implements health and safety programs to prevent injuries and accidents from occurring in University facilities.
- Participates in comprehensive safety audits; helps investigate complaints of unsafe work areas; assists in hazardous materials management and emergencies; and supports other health and safety programs as directed.
- Participates in emergency response teams and assists in coordinating safety activities with various units, schools, and departments within the University; delivers effective and quick response if emergencies occur.
- Provides direct professional environmental, health, and safety services and assistance to faculty, staff, students and campus departments; assists in providing safety training to campus community.
- Provides campus departments and personnel with appropriate advice and updates on federal, state, and local regulations; works cooperatively with other EHS staff and University committees to facilitate the delivery of safety services to the campus community.
- Performs assigned tasks from detailed instructions and established procedures as required to achieve compliance with University policies and programs as well as federal, state and local regulations.
- Maintains and ensures the efficient operation of related safety equipment; may train faculty, students, and staff in proper handling of hazardous materials and proper use of University facilities.
- Authorizes safety clearances as needed.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Radiation Safety/Health Physics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field and two years of work experience in a safety-related field or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
- 24 Hour OSHA HAZWOPER certification (required after hire). DOT and IATA certification (required after hire).
- Valid state-issued driver license (required after hire).
Physical Requirements
- Pass required physical examination.
- Ability to stand, walk, lift, push, pull, twist, and negotiate awkward paths of travel.
- Ability to periodically perform short duration physical exertions, including light-medium weightlifting, pushing, pulling, stair or ladder climbing, etc., in support of a safety investigation, area or operations survey, or emergency response.
- Ability to wear and use personal protective equipment for hazardous materials handling and spill clean-up including respirators, safety shoes, goggles, gloves, and fully encapsulating protective suit, up to and including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
- Ability to work in a variety of physical environments including weather extremes, potential confined spaces, elevated locations, etc.
- In support of emergency response work or assisting other EHS units, ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and move up to 500 lbs. of waste or other material using rolling carts or drum carts.
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