Definition

Positions plan and implement accident prevention programs as a component of environmental health and safety activities. Under general supervision, inspects facilities, equipment and operations to ensure compliance with institution, state and federal safety standards, and codes.

Positions may also administer an agency/institution’s comprehensive employee occupational safety and health program to comply with state and the Department of Labors’ Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) rules, regulations and codes including developing and implementing any agency or geographic unique safety and health programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Positions at this level administer an agency/institutions comprehensive safety and health programs or manage a major component which is characterized as a subprogram of an agency’s total safety and health program, i.e., ergonomics, compliance, infectious disease, blood-borne pathogens, etc. Positions inspect agency/institutional facilities, equipment, and operations to ensure compliance with state and federal safety standards and codes.

This is not a statewide assignment.

Typical Work

Organizes and instructs safety and health education courses such as first aid, defensive driving, traffic control, fork lift truck operations, and other safety education courses as developed; coordinates training efforts with State, Federal, and local safety organizations to improve safety programs;

Reviews accident investigations for proper corrective or preventive actions; recommends solutions for controlling accidents and injuries;

Conducts local facility/unit inspections of safety practices and facilities compliance; conducts interviews with employees, supervisors and management personnel in order to identify unsafe practices, establish strategy for suitable corrective measures to manage the risk of accident and injury losses in accordance with State and other appropriate codes, regulations and standards;

Devises and recommends strategies for implementation of claims management programs including technical claims management education, training, modified duty, employee screening, employee orientation and claims investigations;

Confers with and advises managers, supervisors, and employees on occupational safety and health activities, problems and needs;

Conducts safety studies and analysis; develops disaster plans, emergency response and evacuation plans/procedures, hazard reporting/identification procedures, local occupational safety and health policy;

Designs and implements special emphasis safety awareness efforts;

Reviews and processes accident/injury reports pertaining to job related injuries/illnesses;

Conducts/monitors accident/injury/illness investigations;

Conducts educational safety programs such as employee safety orientation, supervisor’s safety training, radiation safety, diving safety, etc.;

Administers safety awards/recognition program; promotes employee/supervisor communication; monitors maintenance of safety bulletin boards;

May perform radiological safety duties under supervision;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles and practices of employee and public safety and health administration including safety and health education and training, accident investigation, self inspection, record keeping, publicity, safety committee operation and other services common to employee and public safety; principles and practices of organization and management.

Ability to: interpret safety rules and policies; establish and maintain a safe and healthful working environment within the assigned institution, maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees and the public, analyze and resolve a variety of safety and health problems; speak and write clearly.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Desirable Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health, safety studies, natural science, business or public administration, education or allied field.

AND

Two years of professional experience in occupational safety and health programs.

A Master’s degree in occupational safety and health, safety studies, natural science, business or public administration, education or allied field may be substituted for the above professional work experience requirement.

OR

Equivalent education/experience.

Class Specification History

New class, consolidates 2686 Safety Professional I and 43930 Safety Officer 1; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.