Laboratory Health and Safety Specialist

Role Objective

Our organization operates in a manner that consistently protects workers and the public as well as natural and cultural resources in compliance with regulatory commitments. The organization partners with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure the clear, systematic integration of ESH&Q principles into design, planning, decision making, and work processes.

The Laboratory Health Safety Specialist offers expert knowledge and skills in order to generate and promote a positive health and safety culture. This represents a key role in helping to control occupational risk. The Laboratory Health Safety Specialist will help plan, implement, monitor, and review the protective and preventive measures that our organization is required, or chooses, to follow and works to minimize operational losses, occupational health problems, accidents and injuries.

The Laboratory Health Safety Specialist will carrying out safety & health audits and assessments, identifying and resolving safety & health problems and ensuring necessary changes are implemented. They also carry out important staff training and ensure all members of the workforce recognize and understand their own contributions to improved safety performance.

Processes that implement the HSSE Program and are common to our organization are defined in the organization-wide procedures. Processes that implement the organization Laboratory Safety & Health Program and are not common to the organization are defined in the organization-specific procedures. Laboratory Health Safety Specialist will develop and ensure implementation of requirements at the organization Laboratories.

Detailed Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead in developing a Laboratory Safety Manual (LSM) for each laboratory or research function in the organization in collaboration with the researchers and the Lab Safety Manager for each Lab.
• Oversee and audit the implementation of the safety plan in each Lab.
• Act as the organization’s technical authority for health and safety codes, standards and regulations. Recommend policy, interpret top-level requirements, provide independent verification, and provide crosscutting work processes, procedures, and resources related to safety and health.
• Ensure the organization complies with current health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice and guidance.
• Keeping up to date with new legislation and maintaining a working knowledge of any health and safety developments that affect lab operations or activities.
• Preparing, monitoring, evaluating and reviewing health and safety policy and practice, making recommendations and implementing new/revised policies and procedures as required.
• Work proactively with organization staff to establish and maintain a system that promotes a culture of safe working practices across the organization.
• Training staff at all levels in safety & health responsibilities, convey Safety & Health Program expectations to facility personnel and users.
• Ensure company policies and procedures are effectively implemented.
• Provide day-to-day direct management and leadership of the Safety & Health Team.
• Ensure that people performing tasks that have or can have significant impact on safety, or the environment, and relate to legal and other requirements are competent to do those tasks. Competence is ensured through appropriate education, training, and experience.
• Developing safe operational procedures which identify and take account of all relevant hazards.
• Carrying out risk assessments and recommending risk reduction strategies.
• Taking appropriate action to mitigate the impact and likelihood of health and safety risks.
• Provide a working interface and line of communication with other organizations and projects for Safety & Health matters.
• Supporting facility users and researchers in a range of specialized health areas, e.g., occupational exposure, ergonomics, noise and occupational diseases.
• Participating in regular site inspections to check safety & health policies and procedures are being properly implemented.
• Conducting audits to evaluate the effectiveness of health and safety systems and procedures and identifying and implementing corrective actions.
• Investigating the circumstances and causes of accidents and taking necessary steps to prevent recurrence.
• Develop and maintain training and qualification programs and materials
• Assisting with the identification of safety training needs for the organization’s facility users and researchers.
• Ensure subcontractors conduct activities, including providing items and services that affect or may affect safety & health, conduct work in accordance with safety & health procedures/processes.
• Establish and implement metrics for monitoring system effectiveness and to enable managers to make sound product quality decisions.
• Prepare Safety & Health performance documentation and reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing information and trends, including accidents, injuries, days away, etc. Identify early warning indicators and adverse trends. Report on Safety & Health performance to management, internal and external clients, and regulatory bodies.
• Utilize an issues management process for corrective action and continuous improvement which includes Identifying and addressing performance deficiencies and opportunities for improvement; and establishing and effectively implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Notify appropriate management of any significant conditions adverse to quality.
• Developing and implementing a health and safety communications plan, e.g., presentations, newsletters, bulletins, videos.
• Ensuring the safe installation, testing, calibration, maintenance and disposal of equipment.
• Coordinating with Environmental Programs for the safe disposal of hazardous substances.
• Update job knowledge by studying trends and developments in safety & health; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Performing additional duties and tasks assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Public Health, Engineering)
• Minimum of 10 years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in health and safety management

Professional Experience

• Proven track record of delivering health and safety management systems, preferably within a laboratory, university, or medical setting
• Extensive knowledge of effective health and safety management strategies and best practices
• Detailed knowledge of current health and safety legislation and its application in a public sector environment
• Experience working with senior managers and successfully managing and motivating teams
• Experience communicating effectively (verbally and in writing) with senior management
• Evidence of continued professional and personal development
• Experience working in a scientific, research-oriented environment (Laboratory, University, or Medical Complex)

Technical Competencies

• Environmental, Safety & Health (ESH) Technical Competence – Deep expertise in laboratory hazards, controls, and compliance requirements
• Quality Management – Understanding of quality systems and their integration with safety programs
• Project Management – Ability to plan, execute, and monitor safety initiatives and programs
• Analytical Skills – Capacity to assess risks, interpret data, and identify trends and root causes
• Written Communication – Excellence in preparing reports, procedures, policies, and technical documentation
• Planning, Prioritization & Organization – Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex workloads independently

Behavioral Competencies

• Personal Excellence – Demonstrates high standards of professionalism and attention to detail
• Ability to Work Independently – Uses own initiative to drive safety improvements and solve problems
• Professional Credibility – Generates confidence and trust through a professional approach and subject matter expertise
• Building Strong Relationships – Works effectively in partnership and across organizational boundaries to achieve results
• Quality Decision Making – Makes sound, evidence-based decisions in complex or ambiguous situations
• Powerful Communication – Communicates clearly, persuasively, and appropriately with diverse audiences at all levels
• Flexibility and Adaptability – Adjusts approach and priorities to meet changing organizational needs and circumstances
• Problem Solving – Overcomes obstacles and develops creative solutions to complex challenges
• Pressure Management – Copes effectively with pressure and works to tight deadlines without compromising quality
• Continuous Self-Development – Demonstrates personal commitment to learning and professional growth