Specialist Health and Safety

Want to make a difference in your career? Consider this opportunity

Here is what you will be doing:

- Act as the workplace occupational health & safety (OHS) champion and leader, ensuring appropriate OHS standards are developed, implemented, adhered to, and continuously improved.
- Promote the ongoing organizational effectiveness of the OHS program, and a culture of safety.
- Lead the development and implementation of strategic plans and major activities that support OH’s occupational health & safety program. Lead the development, review, and revision of health and safety policies, and safe operating procedures using a risk-based management approach to identify internal hazards and risk levels and in consultation with management and union representatives, including but not limited to protocols for OHS audits and safety inspections.
- Act as the lead safety trainer, supporting the development and facilitation of OHS hazard specific training courses based on regulatory and industry best practices, or ensure approved external trainer providers are utilized where required.
- Responsible for establishment of workplace safety and health committees and monitors their performance, ensuring JHSC investigations on complaints and concern from workers/employers are completed with appropriate action.- Act as a mentor to health and safety representatives and JHSC committee members.
- Manage and ensure compliance with Ministry of Labour orders and any corrective actions required. Act as the primary representative to outside agencies on health and safety matters.
- Assist in resolving compliance issues and work refusals.
- Monitor changes in internal and external environments, provide analysis and make recommendations for improvement to address any new/emerging OHS hazards. Assess risks, impacts and ensure compliance with existing safety practices and standards.
- Research and stay current with health and safety industry trends; identify opportunities to be innovative in program development and delivery. Establish measureable goals based on leading Health and Safety indicators and communicate health and safety information.
- Review all incident and near miss reports and make recommendations to prevent reoccurrence and assist in the development of corrective action. Identifying key risks, recommending and preparing actions plans, and working with the operations team to ensure full compliance.
- Ensure that the health and safety programs are appropriately documented and communicated.
- Coordinate the implementation of the OHS Program with other programs to promote an integrated managed process.
- Produce regular analysis of safety documentation and statistics on safety performance indicators for leadership and board reporting.
- Supports and develops corrective action plans when required to ensure compliance with respectful workplace programs in the workplace.
- Support the development of the annual health and safety budget and provide analysis on cost benefit considerations.
- Main liaison for external vendors and suppliers regarding all health and safety related services, external training, and supplies.
- Perform other duties as required.

Here is what you will need to be successful:
Education
- Must have completed or is in the process of completing a health and safety degree/certificate/diploma or professional designation
- Certified Human Resources Professional an asset.

Knowledge/Experience
- Minimum 5 years leading health and safety in a unionized environment
- In depth knowledge of all relevant legislation, such as WSIB, OHSA/ESA/Human Rights, AODA and the Ministry of Labour standard and requirements
- Knowledge of enforcement procedures
- Knowledge of the interface between labour and management in the workplace.
- Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word - Word, Excel, outlook)
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, time management, problem solving and conflict resolution skills

Communication/ Interpersonal Skills
- Ability to effectively liaise and work with all positions within the organization.
- Ability to define the real issue in contentious situations, and assist in developing positive solutions to create win-win situations.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders as they relate to Wellness Program and health and safety concerns and issues.
- Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in representing portfolio.

Problem Solving/ Complexity
- Analyzes and defines the outcome of proposed actions or programs when working with stakeholders on health and safety related issues.
- Ability to establish collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Accountability & Decision-Making
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in all areas of responsibility.
- Assists when needed reporting to WSIB, and as applicable, any work related injuries/illnesses. This includes the submission of initial forms as well as managing the claims.
- Under the general direction of the Manager, this position