Safety Coordinator

Purpose:

The Safety Coordinator is responsible for supporting the administration, implementation, and continuous improvement of Blue Polymers' environmental, health, and safety programs. This position serves as a key resource to employees, supervisors, and plant leadership by coordinating safety initiatives, maintaining compliance documentation, facilitating employee training, conducting safety audits, supporting incident investigations, and managing personal protective equipment (PPE) programs.

The Safety Coordinator maintains a consistent presence throughout plant operations and works closely with employees and management to identify hazards, promote safe work practices, ensure regulatory compliance, and support the Company's commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.

Essential Functions:

Safety Program Administration

• Maintain safety records, compliance documentation, training records, inspection reports, and other regulatory files.
• Assist with the administration of OSHA recordkeeping requirements, including OSHA 300, 300A, and 301 logs.
• Track safety metrics, incident trends, and corrective action plans.
• Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of safety policies, procedures, and programs.
• Maintain safety bulletin boards, employee communications, and safety-related documentation.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

• Coordinate the collection and review of workplace injury, illness, property damage, and near-miss reports.
• Assist with incident investigations and root cause analysis activities.
• Track corrective and preventive actions through completion.
• Maintain incident files and supporting documentation.
• Support workers' compensation administration and injury management processes.
• Ensure incidents are reported and escalated in accordance with established company procedures.

Training and Employee Engagement

• Coordinate and facilitate new hire safety orientation programs.
• Schedule, track, and maintain records for required safety training and certifications.
• Conduct toolbox talks and employee safety meetings.
• Assist in the development and delivery of safety education and awareness programs.
• Promote employee participation in safety observations, hazard identification, and near-miss reporting initiatives.

PPE and Safety Equipment Administration

• Manage facility PPE inventory and distribution.
• Coordinate purchasing and replenishment of safety supplies and equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections of emergency response equipment and safety supplies.
• Ensure appropriate PPE is available and utilized throughout operations.
• Maintain inventory records and vendor relationships related to safety supplies.

Safety Audits and Compliance Monitoring

• Conduct routine facility inspections and safety audits.
• Perform behavioral safety observations and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor compliance with company safety policies and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate housekeeping standards, machine guarding, lockout/tagout procedures, forklift operations, hazard communication, and PPE compliance.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to supervisors and management.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify trends and opportunities to improve safety performance.
• Participate in developing corrective action plans and preventative measures.
• Support implementation of company-wide safety initiatives and standardization efforts.
• Assist with preparing reports and safety metrics for management review.

Minimum Qualifications/ Education / Experience / Certifications

Experience:

• Prior experience in recycling operations (plastics, metals, paper, or similar process industries) is strongly preferred. · Demonstrated success managing audits, regulatory compliance, and customer quality programs. (3 years  preferred)

Education:

• High School diploma or GED required, an Associate’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Industrial Technology or related field preferred., Quality, Environmental Science, Materials Science, or related fields required (Masters Preferred).

Licenses / Certifications: 

• OSHA 10-Hour certification preferred
• OSHA 30-Hour certification preferred.
• First Aid/CPR certification preferred

Language:

1. Proficiency in English required
2. Bi-Lingual – Spanish is a plus

Competencies; Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA)

• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, workplace safety principles, hazard recognition, incident reporting, and injury prevention within a manufacturing, recycling, or industrial environment.
• Knowledge of safety program administration, including training coordination, recordkeeping, PPE management, inspections, audits, and corrective action tracking.
• Understanding of manufacturing and recycling operations, associated workplace hazards, and safe work practices involving material handling equipment, machinery, and production processes.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills with the ability to maintain accurate records, manage multiple priorities, and ensure follow-through on safety initiatives.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to deliver training, conduct safety discussions, and interact professionally with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Strong observational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks, evaluate trends, and recommend practical corrective actions.
• Ability to build positive working relationships and influence safe behaviors through coaching, education, and collaboration.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive employee, medical, or incident-related information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other systems used for safety documentation and reporting.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive safety culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.

Work Environment / Conditions

The work environment is primarily based within a manufacturing and recycling plant setting, with regular presence on the production floor. The role requires frequent interaction with operational areas, quality inspection points, laboratories, and processing equipment. Exposure to industrial conditions such as noise, dust, moving equipment, and varying temperatures is expected, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when required.

The position also includes time spent in a controlled office environment for documentation, reporting, data analysis, and meetings. Limited exposure to weather conditions may occur when accessing outdoor material storage or loading areas.

Physical Requirements / Demands

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and physical demands of this role.

• Ability to regularly walk, stand, and move throughout manufacturing, recycling, warehouse, and outdoor operational areas while conducting safety inspections, audits, observations, and investigations.
• Ability to sit for extended periods when performing administrative duties, including safety recordkeeping, incident documentation, training coordination, and compliance reporting.
• Ability to visually inspect work areas, equipment, employee work practices, PPE usage, and potential workplace hazards.
• Ability to effectively communicate with employees, supervisors, contractors, visitors, and regulatory agencies in both office and industrial environments.
• Ability to climb stairs and access elevated work platforms to conduct safety inspections and observe operations.
• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and lift or carry safety supplies, training materials, and equipment up to 25 pounds.