Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for EHS Specialist
An EHS (Environmental Health and Safety Management System) Specialist is responsible for developing and updating EHS programs and performing safety assessment. They promote and develop a positive Health and Safety culture and identify risk factors. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for EHS Specialists.
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Main Responsibilities of EHS Specialist
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an EHS Specialist:
Advise
Advise and informs executive management on relevant safety initiatives and performance.
Analyze
Analyze and communicates EHS performance data.
Analyze and track audits - make regular reports.
Anticipate
Anticipate future business / EHS needs and develop new skills as appropriate.
Apply
Apply technical knowledge / skills to EHS programs and systems.
Assess
Assess and identify appropriate resources and equipment necessary to fully support EHS objectives.
Assist in
Assist Employee Health in a variety of functions such as dosimetry, audiometric testing and training.
Assist governmental representatives during audits of facilities.
Assist in the development of recommendations necessary to reduce risk to acceptable levels.
Assist in the oversight of the Worker's Compensation program.
Assist management in preparing a variety of EHS presentations.
Assist Occupational Health in a variety of industrial hygiene functions.
Assist operations leaders, as needed, with corrective actions.
Assist R&D groups with identifying hazards and providing sufficient guidance on their safe operation.
Assist Senior EHS Specialist with a variety of environmental programs.
Assist with accident / incident investigations and corrective actions.
Assist with development of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) and IH analytical methods.
Assist with reporting of site EHS metrics to Global and Regional EHS, and to the local operations.
Assist with site Worker's Compensation claims and Case Management.
Assist with the Laboratory Safety program, Hazard Communication and SDS management efforts.
Assume
Assume leadership responsibilities during meetings and committee activities.
Assure
Assure conformance to regulatory requirements and internal standards.
Assure the correct chemical labeling, handling and storage.
Attend
Attend and lead Safety Committee meetings.
Audit
Audit plant activities versus regulations and permits.
Build
Build productive internal / external working relationships.
Build professional relationships with colleagues, customers, contractors, and vendors.
Carry out
Carry out duties in compliance with established business policies.
Champion
Champion a strong EHS culture focused on engagement, awareness, and proactive risk management.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with regulatory agencies to determine corrective action plans.
Complete
Complete and / or assist special EH& S Projects.
Conduct
Conduct analyses to identify trends, including costs and potential risks, as needed.
Conduct, coordinate and track required training to support company programs and policies.
Conduct, coordinate and track required training to support external and internal requirements.
Conduct EHS training for employees, visitors, and contractors.
Conduct Health and Safety Systems inspections and audit workplace standards and activities.
Conduct new hire EHS orientations.
Conduct qualitative & quantitative respiratory fit testing.
Conduct respirator fit testing for employees and clients.
Conduct review of waste water laboratory results to ensure permit compliance.
Conduct risk assessments.
Conduct safety self-assessments & audits including Biosafety.
Conduct site regulatory inspections.
Coordinate
Coordinate all functions relate to Health& Safety Support.
Coordinate and report any special and important information related with Health and Safety.
Coordinate Emergency Response Team of the company.
Coordinate pre-start health and safety review completion.
Coordinate testing and monitoring for employee exposure assessments.
Coordinate the design, procurement, build and debug of tooling, machinery and test equipment.
Coordinate with site Safety and Health managers and Human Resources professionals on COVID-19 cases.
Determine
Determine validity and accuracy of data.
Develop
Develop action plans and make recommendations for improvement actions into the EHS management system.
Develop amends and conducts training.
Develop and conducts / coordinates EHS trainings.
Develop and conducts EHS training.
Develop and conducts EHS training, including new hire orientations.
Develop and implement EHS Training Programs.
Develop and Implements EHS Programs.
Develop and publish EH&S procedures to reduce the risk of operation.
Develop audit protocols, audit programs, procedures and practices for the EH& S Programs.
Develop compliance programs.
Develop EHS strategy and executes contingency, if necessary.
Develop, implements, and manages plant environmental programs.
Develop, implements, and manages safety programs in accordance with OSHA and Abbott standards.
Develop programs to meet regulatory requirements.
Develop solutions to a wide range of complex problems where in-depth analysis is required.
Develop written procedures and trainings.
Direct
Direct emergency response planning and response.
Draft
Draft and publish EHS notices, procedures and policies.
Ensure
Ensure current EHS Regulatory and MCBC requirements are implemented in full.
Ensure follow-up is done to minimize future exposure and proper records / documents are maintained.
Ensure the site develops and complies with Corporate EHS Standards.
Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required documentation.
Enter
Enter Safety Incident Information in internal database in a timely manner.
Establish
Establish and build relationships, good communication and ensure customer satisfaction.
Establish permit requirements and assists in regulatory audits.
Evaluate
Evaluate containment / industrial hygiene for new projects.
Exercise
Exercise a working knowledge of hazardous building material recognition and their methods of control.
Facilitate
Facilitate 5S program, meetings, and training.
Facilitate EHS reviews for product transfer to / from other facilities.
Facilitate incident investigation process.
Facilitate the definition of a project scope with stakeholders.
Facilitate the emergency response program, including potential night / weekend response.
Follow
Follow the organization's HS&E policies, procedures and mandatory instructions.
Formulate
Formulate cost effective alternatives for corrective actions.
Foster
Foster Collaboration and Teamwork.
Identify
Identify, analyze and resolve existing / new EHS challenges.
Identify full range of stakeholder needs and proposes solutions to address them.
Identify training needs.
Identify and correct data as necessary based on professional judgement.
Identify EHS aspects and hazards and manage them to acceptable levels of risk or impact.
Implement
Implement and manage site EHS programs, compliance plans, and improvement initiatives.
Implement plans under direction of others and reports to management with appropriate frequency.
Implement Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) maintenance and testing programs, as necessary.
Improve
Improve methods / designs / processes.
Inspect
Inspect site equipment and tools for damage and maintenance issues.
Inspect vendor operations using prescribed protocols.
Instruct
Instruct the team in safe working methods.
Integrate
Integrate EHS solutions across the business within regulatory constraints.
Interact with
Interact with Corporate contacts and Contractors with management oversight.
Interact with regulatory bodies to resolve compliance issues.
Interface with
Interface primarily with internal company contacts.
Interface with regulatory agencies, trade groups and peers from similar organizations.
Interpret
Interpret problems / recommends solutions.
Interpret regulations affecting a specific area.
Investigate
Investigate, gather data, and perform preliminary analysis.
Keep
Keep abreast of any safety and environmental law or regulation changes that impact the organization.
Keep the Management up to date on matters relating to, environmental, health and safety.
Keep the Operations Manager and Human Resources Manager up to date on matters relating to EHS.
Lead
Lead and support other EHS projects and initiatives as needed.
Lead and supports action oriented EHS teams.
Lead crisis response to events as appropriate, ensuring effective investigation and follow-up.
Lead EHS agency inspections and regulatory advocacy.
Lead site-wide initiatives as needed.
Lead with Integrity and Respect.
Maintain
Maintain a good record of participants for each training.
Maintain a high standard of documentation in relation to all activities.
Maintain a knowledge of the capital project system and participate on project teams as directed.
Maintain an effective liaison with local regulatory authorities as required by his position.
Maintain awareness of new regulations.
Maintain compliance with permits, government regulations and other industry practices.
Maintain EHS files and records.
Maintain files and records pertaining to environmental, safety and industrial hygiene.
Maintain files and records pertaining to safety and industrial hygiene.
Maintain internal and regulatory reporting data.
Maintain knowledge of basic principles and legal requirements relative to EHS.
Maintain records of attendance and training program content.
Maintain related records, and perform analysis to identify trends and causes.
Maintain required paperwork to comply with Amazon and OSHA regulations.
Maintain required paperwork to comply with Company and OSHA regulations.
Maintain site environmental reports and permits.
Make
Make recommendations to prevent re-occurrence.
Manage
Manage all environmental projects associated with energy, water and waste at the site.
Manage environmental, health, and safety audits and other routine EHS inspections.
Manage / implement complex industrial hygiene programs for multiple facilities.
Manage ISO14001 and ISO45001 certification for the site.
Manage maintenance of emergency safety devices (i.e. eye wash stations, fire extinguishers, AED).
Manage the OSHA and EPA regulations within the plant.
Manage yourself in accordance with the One K-C Behaviors and values.
Mentor
Mentor others by sharing technical expertise and providing feedback and guidance.
Minimize
Minimize the risk of injury of employees through awareness, education and intervention.
Monitor
Monitor and communicate overall status of plans to Site Management.
Monitor waste water warning alarms as well as waste water pH levels.
Order
Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
Oversee
Oversee Hazard Communication and material safety data sheet requirements.
Oversee the collection, storage and removal of Hazardous, Medical, Electronic and Universal wastes.
Participate in
Participate in incident investigation process, especially those related to MSDs injuries.
Participate in indoor air quality investigations.
Participate in leading EHS Orientation for new hires.
Participate in the investigation of incidents, near misses and property damage incidents.
Perform
Perform accident / incident investigations and corrective action review.
Perform a variety of complex tasks and may lead and direct the work of others.
Perform EHS inspections & assessments such IH, PPE, LOTO, and machine guarding.
Perform equipment safety audits.
Perform first aid and CPR as needed.
Perform office & industrial ergonomic assessments.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Perform other related duties and responsibilities, on occasion, as assigned.
Perform responsibilities and addresses problems with limited supervision.
Perform risk assessments and data trend analyses.
Perform safety assessment and identify risk factors.
Perform safety audits in a wide range of industrial and non-industrial settings.
Perform safety observations & audits.
Populate
Populate SAP Master Data fields according to established data standards.
Prepare
Prepare and communicates recommendations and respective action plans.
Prepare EHS presentations and written communications, and present to site leadership and employees.
Prepare written reports using MS Office applications.
Present
Present technical information in an understandable format to non-technical audiences.
Prioritize
Prioritize and complete risk reduction activities.
Produce
Produce value added and cost-effective results.
Promote
Promote and develop a positive Health and Safety culture at all levels throughout the account.
Provide
Provide consultation on complex EHS issues.
Provide COVID-19 support including program implementation, training and compliance management.
Provide EHS leadership, technical expertise, and data analysis to the organization.
Provide for EHS performance data contributing to account-wide EHS performance dashboard.
Provide guidance and direction in EHS programs to ensure a common and effective approach.
Provide guidance, back-up and support to other EH& S team members and Health Centre.
Provide guidance to other engineers and technicians.
Provide industrial hygiene expertise to the site emergency response team.
Provide information and support on regulations to impacted employees.
Provide necessary training to emergency response personnel.
Provide recommendations as appropriate.
Provide support at the Boston & Cambridge research & development sites.
Provide support to ergonomics program in all areas.
Provide work direction to safety coordinators and provide input into employee performance reviews.
Recognize
Recognize and implements good ideas / innovations / cost reductions.
Recognize, identify, and evaluate environmental, health and safety hazards.
Recommend
Recommend cost effective control alternatives to management.
Regulate
Regulate the storage and labeling of waste in compliance with OSHA and local regulations.
Report
Report, investigate and promptly address substandard acts and conditions.
Represent
Represent the company in external meetings.
Represent the function during external regulatory inspections and internal audits.
Research
Research and accurately reference standards and guidelines (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ACGIH, ASHRAE, CDC).
Research and accurately reference standards (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ANSI, NFPA).
Review
Review and analyze environmental documentation issued by regulatory agencies.
Review and updates the respiratory protection program, as necessary.
Review the installation and modification of all equipment / processes for EHS issues.
Schedule
Schedule and facilitate emergency response drills.
Set
Set the example by practicing safety policies and procedures for all departments to follow.
Ship
Ship dangerous goods following the regulations and provide guidance to employees.
Stay informed on
Stay informed on current EHS regulations and legislation and recommend policy changes.
Support
Support and assist sites with root cause investigations and near miss presentations.
Support new transfer projects Health & Safety requirements.
Support other EHS programs.
Support the EHS Department with other related initiatives & activities.
Support the Industrial Hygiene (IH) Program by assisting with site industrial hygiene testing.
Support the management of IH equipment and calibrations.
Take
Take effective procedures to contain the hazards such as spills, leakage, or contamination.
Track
Track corrective action and preventive action findings to closure.
Transpose
Transpose information from data sources into acceptable format.
Update
Update existing EHS programs, develop new EHS programs as needed.
Update various safety procedures and hazard communication protocol annually or per any change.
Upload
Upload documentation if necessary, such as Safety Data Sheets to system.
Work with
Work effectively with cross-functional teams.
Work with external trainers to introduce essential professional trainings to the site.
Work with operations and engineering teams to perform hazard (Risk) assessments and evaluations.
Work with Product Development to ensure Design for Manufacturability.
Work with relevant departments within the organization on containment and combustible dust projects.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an EHS Specialist:
Safety
Environmental Health
Industrial Hygiene
Osha
EPA
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an EHS Specialist:
Written and oral communication skills
Problem-solving attitude
Interpersonal skills
Analytical ability
Leadership
Organizational capacity
Attention to detail
Professionalism
Work independently with little direction
Collaborative
Respect
