Safety & Training Specialist

Job Summary

The Safety & Training Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of all Crew Members working within our Distribution Center. You will assist the EH&S Manager with overseeing the implementation and enforcement of safety protocols and procedures to minimize workplace hazards and promote a culture of safety awareness. Your primary objective is to maintain compliance with all relevant OSHA & SCDHEC regulations and standards while continuously striving to improve safety performance. West Marine is a Drug-Free and Equal Opportunity Employer.

Primary Responsibilities

• Safety Policy Development: Assist with the design, implementation, and sustainment of warehouse safety policies and procedures in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations as well as industry best practices.
• Training and Education: Assist with or facilitate regular safety training sessions for all Crew Members, covering topics such as proper lifting techniques, hazardous material handling, emergency procedures, and equipment operation safety.
• Safety Inspections: Perform routine inspections of the Distribution Center premises to identify potential hazards, unsafe practices, and areas for improvement. Document findings and work with relevant stakeholders to address issues promptly.
• Incident Investigation: Assist EH&S Manager with investigations into workplace accidents, injuries, or near misses. Analyze root causes and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Maintain accurate records of all incidents and their resolutions.
• Safety Equipment Management: Assist with maintenance and distribution of approved personal protective equipment (PPE), safety signage, and other necessary safety gear. Ensure that all equipment meets regulatory standards and is readily available to employees.
• Emergency Preparedness: Maintain emergency response plans for various scenarios, including fires, natural disasters, and medical emergencies. Assist with the coordination of drills and simulations to test the effectiveness of these plans and provide training as needed.
• Regulatory Compliance: Achieve DOT HazMat and RCRA certifications within first 90 days of employment. Maintain certifications annually going forward to remain within compliance.
• Communication and Reporting: Communicate safety-related information to all levels of the organization through meetings, memos, and other channels. Prepare regular reports on safety performance, including metrics such as incident rates, near miss reporting, and corrective action status.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• High School diploma required.
• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience in related field preferred.

Experience:

• Previous experience in a similar role within a distribution center or warehouse environment preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and other relevant software applications.

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively train and engage employees at all levels.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to identify trends, analyze data, and make data-driven decisions. Ability to assist with investigations, recommend corrective measures, and drive continuous improvement.

Physical Description

Typical Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Crew Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the Crew Member regularly works near moving equipment.
• Position is routinely exposed to hot and cold temperatures during Summer and Winter months in the Distribution Center

Essential Physical Tasks:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Crew Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the Crew Member is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, reach with hands and arms, use hands to handle or feel. The Crew Member is occasionally required to climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or team lift items greater than 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Other Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Willing to submit to a criminal background check
• Must be willing to submit to a pre-employment drug screen

This job description is only meant to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by the incumbents of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those in this description. To review many of the benefits West Marine offers, along with starting pay ranges for select states, please visit our benefits page at www.embbenefits.com/wm-home/. Join us at West Marine and help us provide the best boating experience for our customers!