What are the responsibilities and job description for the Safety Specialist position at Briess Industries?
JOB TITLE: Safety Specialist
REPORTS TO: EHS Manager
JOB SUMMARY:
The Safety Specialist is responsible for promoting and maintaining a safe, compliant, and proactive safety culture within a food ingredients manufacturing facility. This role supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of safety programs to ensure adherence to OSHA regulations, food safety standards, and company policies. The Safety Specialist works closely with production, maintenance, quality, and leadership teams to minimize risk, prevent incidents, and ensure a safe work environment.
This position will assist in our Chilton and Manitowoc WI facilites.
TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:
- Support and implement site safety programs, policies, and procedures in compliance with OSHA and company standards
- Conduct routine safety inspections, hazard assessments, and audits of production, warehouse, and laboratory areas
- Identify unsafe conditions or behaviors and recommend corrective and preventive actions
- Investigate incidents, near misses, and injuries; document findings and track corrective actions to completion
- Assist in maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements (OSHA, EPA, FDA/food safety-related standards)
- Facilitate safety training programs, including onboarding, refresher training, and job-specific safety instruction
- Partner with supervisors and employees to reinforce safe work practices and behavioral-based safety initiatives
- Monitor and report key safety metrics (e.g., TRIR, near misses, corrective actions)
- Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and chemical safety programs in accordance with Hazard Communication (HazCom) standards
- Participate in emergency response planning, drills, and incident preparedness initiatives
- Support ergonomic assessments and initiatives to reduce workplace injuries
- Collaborate with Quality and Food Safety teams to ensure alignment between safety and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) requirements
- Assist with contractor safety programs and ensure compliance for outside vendors
- Maintain accurate safety records and documentation for audits and inspections
- Adhere to all government and company safety, sanitation and GMP policies and regulations. Adhere to Food Safety, Quality and SQF Codes.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field, or equivalent work experience required
- Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, EPA standards, and safety management systems
- Experience conducting audits, inspections, and incident investigations
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and EHS reporting systems
- Leadership and influencing skills
- Problem-solving and risk assessment abilities
- Effective communication and training facilitation
- High attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to drive culture change and employee engagement
- Sound judgment and decision-making