Director, Occupational Health and Safety - Genesee and Wyoming Railroad

SUMMARY:

The Director of Occupational Health and Safety will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of occupational safety and health policies, procedures, and programs specifically tailored for the railroad industry. The individual will ensure compliance with federal and state safety regulations, including those related to industrial hygiene, and will play a pivotal role in minimizing workplace hazards, preventing occupational illnesses, and reducing workplace injuries. A strong emphasis will be placed on the application of industrial hygiene principles to identify, evaluate, and control environmental factors that may affect the health and safety of workers. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and Implement Safety Programs: Design, implement, and continuously improve occupational health and safety programs to ensure a safe working environment and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Risk Assessment and Management: Conduct regular risk assessments and safety audits to identify potential chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic hazards and implement appropriate control measures. Conduct and oversee occupational exposure assessments, including air sampling, noise monitoring, and other evaluations pertinent to the railroad environment.  Assessments and audits will include hazard analyses, employee observations, root cause analyses, and job task analyses.
• Compliance Monitoring: Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, industry standards, customer requirements, and company policies. Stay updated on regulatory changes and advise senior management on potential impacts. Prepare and submit required reports and documentation.  Liaise with the Company’s medical services provider on occupational health testing and monitoring of our employees’ ensuring compliance with required standards and programs including documentation.
• Training and Development: Design and deliver training programs on occupational safety, industrial hygiene, and regulatory compliance for railroad employees and management. Ensure that training is up-to-date and relevant to current safety practices and regulations.
• Health and Safety Metrics: Monitor and analyze safety performance metrics. Prepare reports and presentations for senior management on safety performance and improvement initiatives. 
• Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to integrate safety practices into daily operations. Act as the primary contact for OSHA-related inquiries and concerns.
• Regulatory Liaison: Stay informed about changes in OSHA regulations and industry standards. Act as the liaison with regulatory agencies and ensure that all necessary certifications and permits are up to date.
• Up to 75% travel to support field operations.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• 10 or more years of experience in occupational health and safety, with a focus on industrial hygiene and safety program management preferably in rail, mining, or heavy manufacturing industries.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, industrial hygiene principles, and safety best practices. Experience with MSHA is preferred
• Legal Support: Serve as the company's subject matter expert by providing specialized knowledge and insights to assist the legal team in developing case strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and addressing complex legal issues.
• Strong knowledge of railroad safety rules and procedures preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with employees at all levels and across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Detail Oriented, Self-Starter.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR CREDENTIALS:

• Master’s degree in occupational health and safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field preferred.
• Certification in Industrial Hygiene (CIH).
• Certification in Safety (CSP).

This position is employed by the specific entity set forth in the job posting.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and its subsidiary companies do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other protected status under federal, state or local laws.