This series works in the Department of Labor & Industries. The Safety and Health Specialist is required to successfully maintain the Federally approved state occupational safety and health program and meet the authorizing statue, Chapter 49.17 RCW, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).  The approved State program at the Department of Labor and Industries must be maintained as-effective-as the national Federal OSHA program including enforcement, consultation, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. The series represent the predominant professional classifications necessary to maintain Federal approval. The work is focused on ensuring employers comply with safety and health standards, general duty clauses and employee safety laws, rules and regulations and to facilitate violation penalties. 

In the Department of Labor and Industries, this is the entry level of the series that work under direct supervision. 

Assists in planning, organizing and conducting assigned inspections and investigations; assists in physical evidence gathering and analysis; also assists in completing forms, report writing and internal written communications during training. Proceeds to conduct routine non-complex inspections under supervision with full regulatory authority;

Calculates violation penalties in accordance to existing process and procedures that include an extensive formula, using professional judgment decides issuance with inspections and investigation citation and notices;

Investigates fatalities and serious injuries where the root cause is obvious or likely known after completing DOSH training certification;

Organizes, writes and edits comprehensive investigative reports for complaint investigations and other inspections; appears and testifies as a State's witness, as required during appeal actions, at informal appeal hearings, before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, warrant requests, civil cases and superior court, gives legal depositions, investigates and recommends prosecution for criminal actions of an employer;

After graduating the training program and on-the job training component as agreed by supervisor and manager, investigates fatalities and serious injuries where the root cause is obvious or likely known prior to arrival;

After training course graduation, makes independent decisions in the field regarding code interpretation and application; advises employers and employees regarding probable abatement strategies;

Assists other consultation staff with worksite survey/evaluations, identification of hazards and advising employers of methods to eliminate unsafe work practices and procedures;

Provides assistance to Division of Occupational Safety & Health consultation staff in developing and presenting safety and health training programs for employers and labor or industry groups.

Some positions may require certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) granted by the Board of Certified Safety Professional and/or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) granted by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.

A Bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics, industrial processes, industrial hygiene, occupational health and safety, fire protection, ergonomics, system and process safety, accident investigation and analysis, or construction safety.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry, biology, physiology, statistics, mathematics, human anatomy, or other environmental safety and health topics and one year of experience as a safety and health manager, occupational safety consultant, occupational safety inspector, or related experience.

  OR

Master’s Degree in construction management, public health, engineering, physical sciences or closely related field.

OR

Six years of technician, para-professional, or above level (any) safety regulation experience in one or more of the following industries: Government public health or safety regulator or military such as L&I, DOH, DOE, UTC pipeline or rail safety, law enforcement, career fire department service, environmental health, medical, logging, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, or related industrial safety experience.

Other college-level education will substitute, year for year, for up to four years of non-safety and health experience.

Additional occupational safety and health qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

AND

Must possess and be able to maintain a valid driver’s license.

New class, consolidates 4753 Environmental Health & Safety Technician, 43170 Safety and Health Specialist 1 – L&I; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Revised salary range, class concept, typical work, and desirable qualifications; adopted June 30, 2017, effective July 1, 2017.