Safety Specialist

Position Summary

The Safety Specialist is responsible for promoting and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment across port and terminal operations. This role drives compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and applicable environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards. The Safety Specialist works closely with terminal management, union labor, and ship superintendents to proactively identify hazards, lead training initiatives, investigate incidents, and foster a culture of continuous safety improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct regular inspections of work sites to ensure compliance with OSHA standards, federal and state regulations, and company safety procedures.
• Participate in scheduled safety and security audits; document findings and coordinate corrective action feedback with the Mid-Atlantic Safety Manager and operations management.
• Ensure all safety and environmental inspections, recordkeeping, and reporting are completed accurately and submitted on time.
• Lead and facilitate safety training programs, toolbox talks, and weekly safety huddle meetings as assigned.
• Coordinate and deliver new hire safety orientations and annual refresher training for all terminal and warehouse employees.
• Develop and update training materials to reflect current regulations, industry best practices, and site-specific hazards.
• Participate in and lead accident and incident investigation teams; ensure all incidents are properly reported, documented, root-caused, and investigated in a timely manner.
• Monitor the execution and effectiveness of corrective actions by collaborating with terminal/warehouse management, union labor, ship superintendents, and appropriate regulatory organizations.
• Maintain confidentiality of all incident files and supporting documentation in compliance with regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Champion a culture of safety across all levels of the organization, promoting employee engagement and hazard awareness.
• Stay current on changes to OSHA regulations, maritime/port safety standards (e.g., ILWU, OSHA 1910/1917/1918), and relevant environmental requirements.
• Support the development and revision of site safety programs, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and emergency response plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; relevant fields include Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP), or Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation is a plus.
• 2+ years of experience in an occupational safety or EHS role; experience in a port, terminal, maritime, warehouse, or industrial environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience conducting safety inspections, leading incident investigations, and delivering safety training programs.
• Working knowledge of OSHA General Industry standards (29 CFR 1910) required; familiarity with OSHA Maritime standards (29 CFR 1917/1918) is a strong plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to deliver training and lead meetings with diverse audiences including management, union labor, and contractors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Must be able to walk, stand, bend, and work on feet throughout an entire shift in an active port/terminal environment.
• Must be able to climb and descend ladders, stairs, and equipment safely.
• Must be able to work in varying weather conditions and environments, including confined spaces, vessel holds, and outdoor dock areas.