Safety Lead

Job Summary

The Safety & Compliance Lead at each WC Bradley pellet plant is responsible for creating, implementing, and maintaining a safe and compliant workplace across all shifts in a 24/5 or 24/7 operation. This role combines traditional safety leadership with regulatory compliance oversight, Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) system management, and active engagement with the Pellet Mill Manager, Plant Leadership Team, and EHS&S Manager. The position ensures adherence to federal, state, and local safety regulations while promoting a strong safety culture across the plant.

Duties and Responsibilities

Safety Leadership & Compliance

• Implement, monitor, and enforce WC Bradley’s safety programs, policies, and procedures at the pellet plant.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) system to track and report near misses, unsafe behaviors, and potential hazards.
• Implement and maintain the Safety Incentive Program recently rolled out to all pellet plants.
• Conduct routine inspections of equipment, production lines, storage areas, and other facilities to identify hazards specific to pellet manufacturing.
• Perform safety audits and recommend improvements to maintain optimal safety standards.
• Lead the plant leadership team in weekly Safety GEMBA walks to observe safety practices, identify hazards, and drive engagement.
• Investigate accidents, near-misses, and unsafe conditions, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions. Prepare reports for management and regulatory compliance (OSHA, DOT).
• Ensure proper selection, maintenance, and use of PPE and other safety equipment throughout the plant.
• Create, track, and report key safety KPIs, including:
• Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR)
• Near-miss reporting frequency
• Safety observations completed
• Lost-time incidents and days away from work
• Safety training completion rates
• Provide trend analysis and actionable insights to management based on KPI data.
• Serve as liaison with regulatory agencies and insurance adjusters, and support internal compliance audits.
• Maintain OSHA logs, DOT reports, and all compliance documentation.

Collaboration & Shift Engagement

• Collaborate with the Pellet Mill Manager, Plant Leadership Team, and EHS&S Manager to develop and maintain effective safety and compliance programs.
• Regularly engage with team members across all three shifts, ensuring consistent communication of safety expectations and addressing concerns.
• Conduct safety observations, audits, and training during day, evening, and night shifts to ensure continuous coverage.
• Participate in shift hand-offs to communicate hazards, near misses, and safety improvements.
• Build trust and rapport with team members across shifts to encourage proactive safety reporting.

Training & Engagement

• Deliver safety orientations to new hires and ongoing training for all plant personnel, including equipment-specific training for pellet production machinery.
• Coordinate and execute safety drills, emergency response plans, and fire prevention protocols.
• Encourage team member participation in safety programs and collect feedback to improve workplace safety culture.
• Support pellet mill leadership in modified duty or return-to-work programs.

Plant Operations Support

• Collaborate with the Pellet Mill Manager, Plant Leadership Team, and EHS&S Manager on risk mitigation related to dust collection systems, pellet press machinery, conveyors, grinders, and other plant equipment.
• Assist in onboarding, mentoring, and supporting team members to foster a safety-first culture.
• Maintain facility bulletin boards, signage, and postings to ensure regulatory compliance and safety awareness.
• Support claims management for workers’ compensation, property damage, and vehicle incidents as needed.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in monthly safety update meetings with the Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager and senior leadership.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.

•     Other duties as deemed necessary.

Qualification Requirements

Education:

• Required: College degree in Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Technology, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 4 years of safety-related experience in manufacturing or industrial environments, or 7 years with leadership experience implementing safety culture.
• Experience in wood products or pellet manufacturing preferred.
• Experience in multi-shift operations (24/5 or 24/7) preferred.

Certifications:

• Required: Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent EHS certification.
• Preferred: Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher) or other process improvement certification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep understanding of OSHA regulations, federal, state, and local compliance requirements.
• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining Behavior-Based Safety programs.
• Experience implementing safety incentive programs to drive engagement and improve safety culture.
• Experience creating, monitoring, and reporting key safety KPIs with actionable insights.
• Experience leading leadership teams in Safety GEMBA walks.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and communication skills.
• Ability to engage and build trust with team members across multiple shifts.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Pellet Mill Manager, Plant Leadership Team, and EHS&S Manager.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective training programs.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs., climb ladders, work from heights, and tolerate temperature extremes.

Physical Requirements

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