HSE Technician

Westlake Chemical; Lake Wales (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical is seeking an HSE Technician II to support the site Health, Safety, and Environmental programs by working closely with site management, supervisors, and employees to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies, and corporate HSE initiatives.

This role promotes a strong safety culture through field engagement, employee training, workplace inspections, hazard recognition, and corrective action follow-up.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Trade School certification required.
• 5-7 years of manufacturing, industrial, or process industry experience.
• OSHA 30-Hour, COSS, or other safety certifications preferred.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, hazard recognition, risk assessment, incident investigation, and safety management systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic safety management systems.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates leadership and commitment to environmental, health, and safety excellence through personal behaviors and field presence.
• Partners with site management, operations personnel, and employees to promote a proactive safety culture and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conducts routine field inspections, safety observations, and audits to identify hazards and compliance gaps.
• Documents and assists in correcting safety hazards through follow-up with operations and maintenance teams.
• Supports OSHA, EPA, and applicable regulatory requirements through inspections, recordkeeping, audits, and corrective actions.
• Delivers and coordinates employee safety training, onboarding, toolbox talks, and safety awareness programs.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Safety culture

Field observations

Education

High School Diploma or Trade School certification

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Safety/Environmental Science/Industrial Hygiene

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic safety management systems

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY

The HSE Technician II supports the site's Health, Safety, and Environmental programs by working closely with site management, supervisors, and employees to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies, and corporate HSE initiatives. This position plays a key role in promoting a strong safety culture through regular field engagement, employee training, workplace inspections, hazard recognition, and corrective action follow-up. The Technician actively monitors daily operations, identifies opportunities for risk reduction, and assists with the implementation of programs that support continuous improvement in safety performance and regulatory compliance across the site.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Demonstrates leadership and commitment to environmental, health, and safety excellence through personal behaviors and visible field presence.
• Partners closely with site management, operations personnel, and employees to promote a proactive safety culture and ensure compliance with regulatory and company requirements.
• Conducts routine field observations, workplace inspections, jobsite audits, and safety walkthroughs to identify unsafe conditions, behaviors, and compliance gaps.
• Recognizes, documents, and assists in correcting site safety hazards through effective follow-up and collaboration with operations and maintenance teams.
• Supports site compliance with OSHA, EPA, and applicable regulatory requirements through inspections, recordkeeping, audits, and corrective action tracking.
• Assists with the implementation and sustainability of corporate HSE initiatives, site safety programs, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Delivers and coordinates employee safety training, onboarding, regulatory training, toolbox talks, and safety awareness programs.
• Provides coaching and guidance to employees and supervisors regarding safe work practices, hazard recognition, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Participates in incident investigations, near miss reviews, root cause analyses, and development of corrective and preventive actions.
• Tracks and trends safety performance metrics and prepares reports for management review.
• Conducts exposure assessments and workplace evaluations, including noise monitoring, air monitoring, and industrial hygiene surveys as required.
• Maintains, calibrates, and verifies the functionality of site safety, monitoring, and industrial hygiene equipment.
• Maintains inspection, training, and regulatory compliance documentation in accordance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
• Supports contractor safety programs through verification of training, compliance monitoring, and field observations.
• Assists with emergency response preparedness activities, drills, and related site safety initiatives.
• Promotes employee engagement through active participation in safety committees, observations, audits, and continuous improvement activities.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and corporate standards.
• Collaborates with HSE professionals, site leadership, and corporate HSE teams to achieve site objectives and improve overall safety performance.
• Participates in the company's safety culture initiatives and actively supports initiatives that strengthen employee ownership of health and safety.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or Trade School certification required, Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years of manufacturing, industrial, construction, or process industry experience required.
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace inspections, safety observations, employee training, and regulatory compliance activities.
• OSHA 30-Hour, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS), or other safety certifications preferred.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, hazard recognition, risk assessment, incident investigation, and safety management systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees and management.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and electronic safety management systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain applicable safety certifications.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% annually, as needed.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, climb structures, access elevated work areas, and conduct field-based safety activities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to walk operating areas, conduct field observations, access production units, climb stairs and ladders, and inspect work activities.
• The employee must be capable of standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, and occasionally lifting or moving equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• The position requires sustained observation, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to identify and respond to workplace hazards in a dynamic industrial environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position requires significant time in both office and operational environments.
• The employee will routinely work in manufacturing and production areas where exposure to noise, weather elements, and industrial hazards is possible.
• Required personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn while in operational areas.
• The role involves frequent interaction with employees, supervisors, contractors, and management to support site compliance, safety performance, employee engagement, and implementation of corporate HSE programs and initiatives.
• Occasional travel (up to 10% annually) may be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions — from housing and construction, to packaging and healthcare, to automotive and consumer.

For more information, visit the company's web site at www.westlake.com.

Westlake (NYSE: WLK) is a global diversified industrial company that manufactures and supplies essential products that enhance the daily lives of people around the globe. Our products, now under a One Westlake brand, supply the necessary building blocks for everyday products across housing and infrastructure, packaging and healthcare, and automotive and consumer goods.

Consumers gain the benefits of materials Westlake produces in products such as food packaging, medical devices, soaps and detergents, car interiors, fashion, toys, shoes, furniture, electronics, siding, stone veneer, windows, outdoor living, roofing, and pipe & fittings.

Westlake is proud to contribute to driving a sustainable future through the creation of essential products that are Enhancing Your Life Every Day®.