Safety Specialist

WB Manufacturing; Suring (WI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Wisconsin is seeking a Safety Specialist to foster a proactive safety culture. This role emphasizes engagement and education, promoting safe work practices among employees. Key responsibilities include leading safety initiatives, conducting training, and ensuring OSHA compliance. Candidates should have 2+ years of experience in safety within a manufacturing environment, with knowledge of behavior-based safety programs. The role offers a conducive working environment that supports safety and productivity.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of safety experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge in behavior-based safety programs.
• OSHA 30 Certification and First Aid/CPR preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage with employees on the production floor for safety.
• Lead behavior-based safety initiatives.
• Assist with OSHA compliance and maintain documentation.
• Develop and deliver safety training sessions.
• Compile safety data and prepare performance reports.

Skills

Effective communication

Safety compliance understanding

Customer focus

Collaboration

Hazard identification

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Post-secondary education in safety

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

EHS software familiarity

Job description

Overview

The Safety Specialist supports a proactive, behavior-based safety culture by partnering with employees and leaders to identify risks, implement solutions, and promote continuous improvement. This role focuses on engagement and education—not enforcement—to ensure a safe, productive workplace.

Responsibilities

• Safety Engagement
  • Actively engage with employees on the production floor to reinforce safe behaviors.
  • Promote a positive safety culture through observation and feedback.
  • Partner with supervisors to integrate safety into daily operations, including job hazard analysis to proactively identify and address risks.
• Behavior-Based Safety
  • Lead initiatives that encourage observation and positive reinforcement.
  • Facilitate BBS training and coaching sessions.
  • Track and report BBS participation and outcomes.
• Compliance Support
  • Assist with OSHA and regulatory compliance requirements.
  • Maintain accurate safety documentation and records.
  • Support audits and implement corrective actions without relying solely on enforcement.
• Training & Coaching
  • Develop and deliver interactive safety training sessions.
  • Coach employees on safe work practices and hazard recognition, using JHA findings to strengthen safe task execution.
  • Distribute safety communications and updates across the facility.
• Data & Reporting
  • Compile and analyze safety data to identify trends and improvement opportunities, including insights from completed job hazard analyses.
  • Prepare quarterly safety performance reports for leadership.
  • Recommend measures to reduce risk and improve safety outcomes.
• Objectives
  • Reduce recordable incident rate by 25% within 12 months through proactive engagement and training.
  • Conduct monthly behavior-based safety observations and provide feedback reports to leadership.
  • Develop and deliver at least 4 interactive safety training sessions per quarter.
  • Complete 100% of incident investigations within 48 hours and implement corrective actions within 7 days.
  • Maintain accurate safety data and present quarterly trend analysis to management.

Competencies

• Communicates Effectively: Communicates respectfully and effectively with customers, fellow workers, and management, including communicating proactively when encountering issues or challenges that may affect the timely completion of tasks or projects.
• Customer Focus: Continuously pays attention to customer (internal and/or external) needs and adapts as relationships evolve. A customer focus means being open minded, responsive, agile, and driving innovation.
• Collaborates: Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives; represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas; partners with others to get work done; credits others for their contributions and accomplishments; gains trust and support of others.
• Job Knowledge: Has understanding and proficiency in job responsibilities, performs tasks efficiently, solves problems quickly, and makes informed decisions in addition to staying current with new technologies or developments within their field by seeking out training opportunities or continuing education courses.
• Safety: The ability to identify hazards and risks in your work environment. Leadership in safety compliance of all rules and procedures that are designed to protect you and others from harm. The ability to communicate and cooperate safely with your colleagues, managers, and other stakeholders. Demonstrated learning with a focus to improve safety by acquiring new knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enhance your safety performance and culture. The ability to exhibit safety leadership by influencing and inspiring others to adopt safe behaviors and attitudes.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent; post-secondary education in safety or related field preferred.
• Experience: 2+ years of safety experience in a manufacturing environment, including behavior-based safety programs.
• Technology: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with EHS software and reporting tools.
• Licenses/Certificates: OSHA 30 Certification and First Aid/CPR preferred

Physical And Mental Demands

Sitting for long periods of time, 6-8 hours per day. Walking, speaking, hearing, and seeing. Listen and observe the environment for hazard prevention. Use hands for tools and typing. Semi-frequently lift up to 15 lbs. Some tasks may require the employee to bend, stoop, twist, and turn.

Working Environment

Indoor working environment. Office is temperature-controlled all year round. Production may be hot in the Summer and temperature-controlled in the Winter. Moving machinery, i.e. forklifts, moveable carts, etc.; uneven ground where cart tracks are identified. Air quality may be dusty and potentially require additional PPE in certain areas. Sound level below 85 decibels except in areas specified as requiring hearing protection.