EHS Specialist

Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist

About PURIS:

PURIS operates across North America as the largest independent trenchless rehabilitation provider with 900 employees dedicated to building lasting infrastructure with smart, sustainable resource management. The PURIS Family of Companies provides trenchless renewal solutions in the water, wastewater, and stormwater markets. Our environmentally friendly solutions work within the existing infrastructure to save time, minimize environmental impact, and cause fewer community disruptions. With an unrivaled toolbox of technologies, PURIS has the RIGHT solution for each project.

Job Summary Description:

The Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist works under the guidance and direction of the Area Director. Facilitates the integration of new safety processes, directs compliance with PURIS standard operating procedures/policies, assists in developing and administering programs and training in compliance with OSHA/EPA, Federal and State regulations, and standards. Counsel and support operations management, customer specific safe operating requirements and employees in activities to achieve a safe and healthful working environment, and sponsor employee-based activities that will reinforce a positive highly efficient/productive safe work culture. Routinely benchmark best-practices to achieve best-in-class top-tier safety performance outcomes. Act as a strategic partner with the Business Unit General Manager(s) – to drive continuous safety performance tactical improvement plans/activities.

Essential Job Accountabilities:

• Provide or contract required certified training (First Aid/CPR/AED, forklift operations, aerial equipment, respirator fit and use, lock out tag out, confined space entry, fire extinguisher use, hearing protection, hot work permits) and periodic safety systems related training as deemed necessary.
• Facilitate the implementation of new hire and return-to-work medical evaluation protocol and maintain timely communication with 3rd party occupational physician clinic medical advisors.
• Oversee industrial hygiene exposure monitoring protocol to eliminate adverse employee exposures and reinforce PURIS monitoring plan…for future-state litigation avoidance.
• Coordinate with Director of EH&S in claims settlement agreements and the use of outside counsel/insurance adjuster communications/surveillance on a case-by-case basis.
• Manage online system for procuring Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and update inventory routinely to maintain an approved product list…monitoring the potential health effects/regulatory impact of all products.
• Evaluate technical and scientific publications concerned with health and safety and participate in activities of related professional organizations to update knowledge of program developments.
• Oversee the integration of an internet-based safety data system and train management on the application of the incident reporting process as required…to maximize the full operational support/utilization of the system.
• Facilitate gap analysis survey process and conduct small group feedback sessions on addressing key issues.
• Initiate/champion policies, plans, and programs as necessary in EHS management and EHS culture throughout the business unit.
• Act as a liaison in all regulatory and legal matters relating to environmental health and safety.
• Manage emergency response plan; may provide technical expertise and/or assist other responding agencies within the community.
• Manage and advise Safety & Health quarterly employee communication forums, i.e. Safety refresher training complying with industry best-practices/OSHA regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal OSHA/EPA regulatory standards.
• Conduct/support a formal safety audit process to determine safety program gaps and corrective-action initiatives required for future-state sustainable performance improvement/effectiveness (ISO 45001, OSHA VPP, or ANSI) Standards to set a foundation for evaluating continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain effective work and communication relationships within operations/related support functions, ensuring that efficient day to day operational decisions can be achieved.
• Support the implementation of changes in safety activities and management focus to ensure the achievement of upstream performance goals.
• Assist in the development of performance-based safety accountability metrics for driving continuous improvement and align with performance bonus activities/goals.
• Institutionalize safety and health as a condition-of-employment.
• Set standards/specifications for purchasing personal protective equipment and health monitoring devices.
• Direct/administer EHS audits and risk level assessments for all job site activities - to identify, correct, and abate recognized safety and environmental hazards, behaviors, non-compliant programs, and procedures.
• 70% - 80% jobsite field presence is required.

Education:

• Associates occupational safety and health degree or related education in health, industrial hygiene, OSHA/EPA regulatory compliance (preferred) or 3 years’ construction experience.

• 3 years in a safety manager role - prefer construction/utility/military experience.
• Strong credibility and influencing skills with regulatory agencies (OSHA/EPA/MSHA), business advocacy boards/committees and professional organizations.
• Working knowledge of claims litigation, and refined skills in managing injury claims closure activities.
• Proficient in Microsoft office, including Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Extensive knowledge of Business Unit operations, processes, staff, and organization.
• Credentials as necessary to demonstrate level of skill set (ASP, CSP, CIH, Advanced Safety Certificate, OHST, CHST or other professional designation - working towards professional designation).

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English, bilingual preferred.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal/external customers and service providers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to liaise and coordinate with other departments to establish a seamless and efficient process for information sharing.
• Ability to work in a team environment and coordinate multiple simultaneous events.
• Creative problem solver, multitasking, account/vendor, and service provider management.
• Ability to track, develop, and intervene to drive business unit strategy on emerging and existing safety regulatory compliance programs/standards.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal/organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor additions to safety staff and operations management.
• Out of the box thinker – adaptive to new processes.
• Ability to work in an outdoor work setting 70% - 80%.
• Ability to lift, carry or otherwise move/position objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and crouch on a regular basis…with a good range of motion to perform all related job functions.
• Must have a clean driving record.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes medical/Rx, dental, vision, critical illness and accident insurance, and short-term disability.
• Several 100% company-paid benefits including:
  • Life Insurance
  • Long-term disability
  • Employee assistance program
• Bonus program
• 401(k) savings plan with company match
• Generous PTO
• 10 paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Career advancement opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.