Laboratory Safety Specialist

Details

Posted: 12-Mar-24

Location: PA

Salary: Open

Categories:

Facilities//Maintenance/Trades
Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 502763

The role focuses on implementing hazard control measures for various risks, managing PPE, and handling hazardous waste. It includes evaluating lab environments, designing safety programs, conducting inspections, and investigating incidents. The position oversees a Laboratory Safety program, identifies and addresses general safety issues, and has the authority to halt work in dangerous situations. The ideal candidate should possess technical expertise, independence, conflict resolution, and public speaking skills. The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community.

This position is a Grade: 9-40 with an approximate salary range of $54,390-$66,190 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications

Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website at https://hr.lehigh.edu/benefits

Position Number: S97320

1. Program Management
● Responsible for management of lab safety/compliance programs in a liaison role with the chemical hygiene officers across campus, which may include, but is not necessarily limited to teaching and/or research lab safety; machine shops; laboratory ventilation; safety aspects of experimental design; minors in laboratories; particularly hazardous substances; and role similar to as a radiation safety officer
● Programming will include development of written programs, procedures, or guidelines; conducting periodic audits/inspection; communication and training; and keeping comprehensive and accurate records
● Makes recommendations for approval and coordinates with faculty to develop Standard Operating Procedures to address significant hazards noted during reviews
● Prepares periodic reports, forms, surveys, or other tools that reiterate the goals and accomplishments of assigned programs
● Utilizes various media forms to communicate safe work practices/hazards mitigation
● Research products, technologies, tools and resources, services, procedures, etc. and prepares laboratory advisory memos for product recalls/safety hazards
● Performs laboratory commissioning and decommissioning oversight, coordination, and approvals

2. Inspections/Incident Investigations
● Actively monitors laboratory safety/compliance of research, diagnostic and teaching laboratories, research-related workshops, and other spaces through annual program audits (inspections)
● Documents and communicates findings and tracks corrective actions to resolution/closure in a timely fashion
● Coordinates inspection schedule assignments with research investigators, lab management staff, departmental safety coordinators, or academic department heads
● Performs assessments on safety complaints/concerns, non-compliances, and laboratory incidents; provides recommended corrective actions and lessons learned
● For incidents, assess exposure routes, degree of potential exposure, and occupational medicine follow-up
● Prepares reports to be reviewed by the EH&S Director for reporting to university senior leadership- incident assessment documentation may affect conclusions reached by Workers' Compensation claims and outcome of other investigative activities

3. Training, Development, & Delivery
● Designs, develops, and delivers chemical safety, general lab safety, and other types of safety training for Lehigh faculty, staff, students, and visitors; this includes updating annual refresher training based on the prior year's laboratory audit findings and establishing other innovative methods for delivering refresher training
● Develops computerized training programs and training materials and feedback methods
● Prepares reports of training compliance per regulatory and institutional requirements
● Classroom or other in-person training approaches may be required

4. Technical Assistance
● Research applicable international, federal, state, and local regulations, standards, guidelines and Lehigh policies and programs requirements in order to build proficiency and formulate recommendations
● Provides programmatic and technical review of high hazard chemical registrations and follow-up consultation
● Provides guidance and assistance relative to regulatory and consensus standards requirements (OSHA, NFPA, IFC)
● Serves on and advises committees on applicable lab safety policies, regulations and guidelines
● Anticipates and recognizes lab safety needs, creates safety solutions, and provides consultation to support research community in a way that keeps pace with the dynamic research activities
● Assists researchers with risk assessments and development, review, and approval of job hazard analyses
● Provides EHS technical liaison to LU Campus, and/or Incident Commander during emergency events involving hazardous materials; responds on scene for university emergency events as requested
● Coordinates updating the chemical inventory with campus departments
● Schedules waste disposals, communicating with disposal contractors and campus generators

5. Other EHS/Lab Safety Support Services
● Provides shipping assistance to researchers who need to ship hazardous materials/dangerous goods as regulated by the Department of Transportation and the International Air and Transportation Association
● Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration
● Provides 24/7 coverage as the EHS on-call when assigned
● Other duties as required in accordance with the needs of the University

Special Considerations

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist at [email protected]

The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor

This position is responsible for driving University-owned vehicles as a routine function, therefore a valid Driver’s License and a good driving record is required

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or other science field

Three to five years related work experience

Excellent organizational skills, time management and sound judgment

Great management and leadership skills

Ability to complete projects on time, on budget and report on status and progress

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety.  Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.

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