Turnaround Safety Specialist

Ascend Performance Materials; Hitchcock (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend Performance Materials is seeking a Turnaround Safety Specialist to lead safety activities for turnarounds, ensuring contractor compliance with PSM and safety procedures. The role collaborates with ESSH and operations to drive safer turnarounds and sustainable improvements.

Key responsibilities include planning, risk assessment, audits, incident investigations, and coaching the safety culture on site, with a focus on stopping unsafe work and delivering on schedule and quality goals.

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of industrial safety experience in refining, petrochemical, chemical manufacturing, power generation, or heavy industry.
• 7+ years of turnaround, outage, or major maintenance event experience.
• Working knowledge of OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements.
• Strong understanding of permit-to-work systems, LOTO, confined space entry, hot work, work at heights, crane and rigging, excavation, and line opening activities.
• Experience working with contractors and managing large numbers of simultaneous work activities.
• Ability to lead field safety engagement and influence personnel at all organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead turnaround safety planning and risk assessment activities during pre-turnaround and execution phases.
• Review job packages prior to execution phase to ensure alignment with site safety standards, policies, procedures and other requirements.
• Ensure compliance with site safety standards, permit-to-work requirements, LOTO procedures, confined space entry, hot work, excavation, crane and rigging, and other life critical safety processes.
• Conduct field audits, safety inspections, housekeeping inspections and behavioral observations to verify safe work practices. Report findings and track status to determine if conditions are improving, getting worse or staying the same.
• Coordinate contractor safety onboarding, orientation, and performance monitoring.
• Facilitate daily safety meetings, toolbox talks, and pre-job hazard analyses.
• Monitor leading and lagging safety indicators and communicate performance to turnaround leadership.
• Investigate incidents, near misses, and safety concerns, ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, and contractors to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
• Provide visible field leadership to reinforce stop-work authority and promote a strong safety culture.
• Support successful turnaround execution by maintaining focus on safety, schedule, and work quality objectives.
• Participate in coordination and execution oversight of specialty safety procedures (i.e., critical lifts, complex confined space entries, etc.)
• Participate in Project and Turnaround scope development and planning meetings for ESSH-related scope.

Skills

Industrial safety

Turnaround safety

OSH leadership

Contractor management

Education

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEWAscend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers, and plastics, committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise.POSITION OVERVIEWThe Turnaround Safety Specialist is responsible for providing occupational safety and health (OSH) leadership to the site Turnaround team. This role ensures contractors are compliant with regulatory standards, and CHB Site safety policies and procedures to strengthen turnaround safety performance. The Turnaround Safety Specialist works in collaboration with the Turnaround team and the ESSH Team to influence behaviors, solve problems, and deliver sustainable improvements.TARGETED OUTCOMESCollaborate with the Turnaround Manager, Turnaround Contractors, ESSH Manager and ESSH personnel to strengthen turnaround safety performance.undefinedContinue to improve Turnaround safety systems performance to reinforce Ascend’s Commitment to Zero incidents and injuries.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESLead turnaround safety planning and risk assessment activities during pre-turnaround and execution phases.Review job packages prior to execution phase to ensure alignment with site safety standards, policies, procedures and other requirements.Ensure compliance with site safety standards, permit-to-work requirements, LOTO procedures, confined space entry, hot work, excavation, crane and rigging, and other life critical safety processes.Conduct field audits, safety inspections, housekeeping inspections and behavioral observations to verify safe work practices. Report findings and track status to determine if conditions are improving, getting worse or staying the same. If getting worse or staying the same, need to determine ways to improve performance.Coordinate contractor safety onboarding, orientation, and performance monitoring.Facilitate daily safety meetings, toolbox talks, and pre-job hazard analyses.Monitor leading and lagging safety indicators and communicate performance to turnaround leadership.Investigate incidents, near misses, and safety concerns, ensuring corrective actions are implemented.Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, and contractors to proactively identify and mitigate risks.Provide visible field leadership to reinforce stop-work authority and promote a strong safety culture.Support successful turnaround execution by maintaining focus on safety, schedule, and work quality objectives.Participate in coordination and execution oversight of specialty safety procedures (i.e., critical lifts, complex confined space entries, etc.)Participate in Project and Turnaround scope development and planning meetings for ESSH-related scope. (ESSH reviews, execution planning reviews, etc.)Participate in daily/weekly update meetings and morning safety meetings to ensure communication of hazardous conditions or behaviors.Serve as a safety champion for the Ascend HRP process and help promote its’ use during turnaround and project activities.Attend ESSH bi-weekly and monthly team meetings.REQUIREMENTS7-10+ years of industrial safety experience in refining, petrochemical, chemical manufacturing, power generation, or heavy industry.7+ years of turnaround, outage, or major maintenance event experience.Working knowledge of OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements.Strong understanding of permit-to-work systems, LOTO, confined space entry, hot work, work at heights, crane and rigging, excavation, and line opening activities.Experience working with contractors and managing large numbers of simultaneous work activities.Ability to lead field safety engagement and influence personnel at all organizational levels.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING ENVIRONMENTWilling to adjust work schedule as needed to support safety initiatives and objectives on alternate shifts.undefinedAbility to meet all physical requirements of working in an industrial environment including ability to work in extreme temperatures, sitting, standing, walking, use of hands, climbing and use of ladders, etc.undefinedLift up to 50 pounds.At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.About Us:Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics focused on improving quality of life and inspiring a better tomorrow through innovation. We are a fully integrated material solutions provider with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.Our global workforce makes the materials used to make safer vehicles, cleaner energy, better medical devices, smarter appliances, and longer-lasting apparel and consumer goods. We are committed to safety, sustainability, and the success of our customers and our communities.Why work at Ascend?Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values: OARS.Our OARS values shape how we work, lead, and grow together. We take ownership, stay accountable, operate reliably, and support one another to deliver results safely and consistently. Through clear expectations, empowered decision-making, intentional communication, and continuous feedback, we create a culture built on action, visibility, and shared success.Together, OARS gives us a shared language and clear direction. These values guide our decisions, shape priorities and set expectations as we move forward – aligned, focused and committed to creating performance materials that improve lives today and inspire a better tomorrow.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.