Occupational Safety Officer

Under general supervision performs professional work in the development and implementation of CTA occupational health and safety programs. Reviews health and safety conditions in CTA facilities vehicles and equipment and performs safety audits inspections and investigations to assist in promoting safe operations safety awareness and accident prevention within the CTA. Collaborates with all CTA departments to analyze working conditions and procedures and recommends safety improvements.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Conducts comprehensive inspections and audits of various CTA property locations and sites including facilities shops and garages to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and CTA regulations.

o Inspects all CTA facilities for occupational safety and health hazards by observing work conditions assessing records conducting interviews to demonstrate and document compliance with federal state and local laws and regulations and codes.

o Identifies deficiencies and areas of risk within transit property locations and suggests facility and work area improvements.

o Reports inspection findings and gathers information surrounding hazardous processes and procedures.

o Assists in identifying and implementing long-term solutions to systemic safety issues identified in inspections and investigations to minimize severity and preventing recurrence.

Upholds proactive safety initiatives by implementing safety programs policies procedure training objectives and other initiatives to promote safe operations and incident prevention that eliminate or control unsafe behaviors environments and hazards in compliance with the OSHA regulations and CTA requirements.

o Evaluates audit findings and accident data to identify hazards and accident types that can be prevented.

o Performs Safety assessments of CTA facilities garages and shop safety processes and procedures to document compliance requirements and recommends corrective actions or changes to policies and procedures that promote regulatory compliance.

o Implements safety programs and training to field personnel on CTA safety programs and procedures.

o Monitors and reports on the effectiveness of implemented safety programs.

Participates in incident / event and injury investigations and assists managers in creating corrective and/or preventative action.

Conducts review and analysis of new and existing Standard Operating Procedures operating rules bulletins and training programs to ensure that the latest requirements are in compliance with federal state and local laws and regulations and codes.

Analyzes federal state and local regulations pertaining to occupational safety and health to develop and prepare safety programs and procedures to ensure CTA compliance and safety. This includes Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) laws and regulations.

Participates in the administration of a variety of programs addressing occupational health and safety issues including trauma blood borne pathogen hearing conservation and other safety related programs. Evaluates program goals and objectives determines training or support requirements and makes recommendations on program implementation plans.

Performs Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) to identify hazardous working conditions and unsafe employee activities for the purpose of elimination or control. and recommends solutions to eliminate and/or minimize risk. effectively identify hazardous conditions and perform) when appropriate.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

None

CHALLENGES

Keeping abreast of all compliance regulations with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory compliance programs.

Dealing with stress due to 24-hour on call nature of the job.

Keeping abreast of all CTA operations in connection with safety aspects.

Maintaining awareness of liability concerns when dealing with legal community and oversight organizations.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelors degree in Safety Public Health Environmental Engineering or a related field plus three (3) years of experience in managing safety initiatives and/or Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) practices or a combination of education and experience related to the position.

Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification preferred.

Must possess a valid Illinois drivers license (DL).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.

Demands include extensive moving (up to 3 miles at one time) sometimes on rocks and on narrow catwalks and traversing up and down ladders and vehicles.

Must wear applicable restrictive personal protective equipment.

Must be able to lift various objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Detailed knowledge of the application of all Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and regulatory compliance programs.

Detailed knowledge of System Safety Engineering Practices.

Detailed knowledge of CTA operations facilities vehicles rules and procedures.

Working knowledge of the methods and practices of investigations research analysis and/or data compilation and report presentation.

Working knowledge of the methods and practices in evaluating and inspecting workplaces processes products or other systems.

Strong computer skills.

Good oral and written communications skills and organizational skills.

Good interpersonal skills in dealing with external groups and/or organizations.

Good customer service skills.

Intermediate project management skills.

Ability to apply safety and occupational health laws regulations principles theories practices and procedures to advise or resolve technical matters.

Ability to analyze or interpret job processes to determine the probability of hazards.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to work with sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Ability to work collaboratively with other Departments.

Ability to anticipate identify and evaluate hazardous conditions and practices

Ability to develop implement and evaluate hazard control designs methods procedures and programs

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment.

Required to travel to various CTA property locations including facilities garages and shops.

Working conditions are varied and include all weather ranges (from extreme cold to extreme heat rain to snow and ice etc.).

Conditions also include working at extreme heights; working near electrified third rail; working in subway tunnels with limited clearance visibility etc.

Random nature of incidents leads to irregular work hours.

EQUIPMENT TOOLS AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

Standard office equipment.

Personal computer and related software.

Required to carry a cellular phone / tablet.

Various types of measuring devices digital camera various types of gauges reflective safety vests respirator and personal protective clothing.