Sr. HSE Specialist

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.​

The Health and Safety Specialist is responsible for providing environmental, health and safety support for the site. This position will be involved in all aspects of HSE; environmental compliance, industrial hygiene programs and safety projects. The position is primarily for supporting and assisting the Deer Park HSE programs, and occasionally substituting for the HSE Manager.

*Job Duties and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Operational HSE

• Review and manage Health and Safety (H&S) programs (e.g., workplace safety, industrial hygiene, and contractor administration) for the site.
• Assist in the development and implementation of employee safety programs.
• Lead and/or participate on site wide HSE teams, systems, and processes
• Serves as a local resource developing and/or assisting in the development and implementation of site-specific safety programs, injury prevention programs, specialty training materials, and related actions to mitigate risks identified or related to, but are not limited to incidents, regulatory events, etc.
• Provide and monitor safety training programs to instruct employees in site Health and Safety (H&S) policies and procedures.
• Lead, guide and deliver technical safety activities resulting from approved self-initiated or assigned programs leading to innovative applications and extensions of existing or new programs/systems having major importance to the business within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Lead/facilitate and/or participate in incident investigations using root cause methodology that are related to PSM risk assessment teams and Health and Safety self-assessments and/or audits.  As required, provide incident investigation reports that identify key factors, root causes and recommendations.
• Train, coach and mentor floor level associates for personal safety mindset and 24/7 safety behaviors.
• Training, coaching, and mentoring others involved in safety improvement activities including developing and providing training on process safety topics and developing and reporting leading metrics and best practices.
• Supporting major capital projects, in design consulting, technical quality assurance, etc.

Regulatory Compliance

• Supports compliance with all industrial hygiene programs, health and safety (H&S) regulations (e.g., OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and 1926), and keeps abreast of any changes to laws and regulations that impact the organization.

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Auditing and Management Systems

• Focused on promoting and supporting an HSE culture from within by leading the implementation of core HSE programs, policies and initiatives.
• Act as a liaison between Operations, Engineering, and Safety Departments with the intent to share best practices and resolve escalated issues.
• Correct safety deficiencies upon discovery and take appropriate actions to diminish risks.
• Responsible for participating in and/or leading risk assessments for job tasks.
• Responsible for preparing, maintaining and implementing Health and Safety (H&S) policies and procedures as required.
• Facilitates tracking of Health and Safety (H&S) data & responsible for execution of associated targets.
• Develop plans, injury prevention programs, specialty training materials, and related actions to mitigate risks identified or related to, but are not limited to incidents, regulatory events, etc.
• Provide and monitor safety training programs to instruct employees in site Health and Safety (H&S) policies and procedures.
• Conducts various HSE audits including but not limited to OSHA compliance, EPA compliance, internal procedure compliance, machine guarding, LOTO, energy control plans, etc.
• Organize, prepare, and present technical reports to support recommendations.

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Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in engineering or safety related discipline
• 5-7+ years' progressive plant experience in HSE related duties in a manufacturing/ industrial environment
• Ability to obtain a TWIC card
• Ability to work in fast paced environment
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with all levels of the organization
• Ability to lead and influence project teams
• Passion for recognizing and leading positive change
• Aptitude to lead and make challenging decisions
• Ability to work alternative work schedule periodically

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Preferred Qualifications:

• Board of Certified Safety Professionals certification such as ASP, CSP, CHMM or CIH by the Board of Certified Safety Professional is preferred
• Experience in broad problem solving and techniques such as Cause Analysis, Cause Mapping, Apollo, 5-Why
• Experience with Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA)
• Project management skills with ability to set objectives and deliver results to move safety programs forward.
• Customer focused and team-orientated; able to lead projects to drive sustainable business solutions.
• Experience in Lean and 6-Simga methodologies

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PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This job is performed in both a control room or office setting and outdoors in a plant setting.  Physical presence and predictable attendance required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, climb, or crouch.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and rarely 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. This job requires response to audible emergency alarms inside of the plant.  Employee must be able to evacuate when required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office.  Some of the work will be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.  Will also result in exposure to outside elements and will require usage of stairs and elevators.  Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally 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.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.