Health And Safety Coordinator

Health and Safety Coordinator

Job Description

As part of the People & Culture team, the Health and Safety Coordinator plays a key role in contributing to the department’s work to foster and steward a progressive organization-wide approach at the Farm Hub that nurtures a positive, productive, safe, and fulfilling working environment for all staff. This person works closely with the Associate Director, People & Culture, as well as contracted safety experts, to implement and administer all environmental health and safety policies and programs at the organization.

Additionally, this role works with the Associate Director, People & Culture to ensure that the Farm Hub maintains full compliance with local, state, and federal worker safety regulations related to OSHA, DEC, FDA, EPA, and NYSDOL. The Health and Safety Coordinator is the point person for all workplace incidents and injuries (investigation, documentation, recordkeeping, and provides guidance in regards to preventing and/or correcting future incidents). This individual is responsible for coordinating employee safety training and maintaining open channels of staff communication to ensure that all Farm Hub employees have the information they need to adhere to HVFH safety protocols. Of utmost importance, this role works to develop trusting and collaborative relationships with all staff and to establish a clear, communicative, and compassionate approach to the Farm Hub’s safety policies and programs.

The Health and Safety Coordinator reports to the Associate Director, People & Culture. On a day-to-day basis, this role works closely with others in the People & Culture department, including the Payroll & People Operations Administrator, the Manager, People Operations & Engagement and the Director of Organizational Development, People and Culture, as well as with the Farm Manager, Finance Director, Construction and Facilities team, and production and operations staff.

Responsibilities

Healthy and safety planning, policies, and implementation

health and safety risks and hazards in the workplace

with the Associate Director of People & Culture and Farm Hub Leadership, supports the development of organizational safety policies and ensures that all practices are compliant with applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing environmental health and workplace safety

inventory of relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) and distributes as is relevant

Chairs and facilitates relevant committees related to workplace safety (i.e., safety committee; infectious disease committee)

Develops and directs safety programs to ensure a safe environment (i.e., hearing conservation; heat illness prevention, etc.)

Compliance and recordkeeping

Maintains departmental records, ensuring that all recordkeeping is timely and conforms to current regulations and Farm Hub policy

Conducts and/or coordinates inspections, reviews, and audits across all areas of the operation and facility to confirm proper adherence to established safety protocols

Serves as primary contact and interface with regulatory agencies in conducting all internal, governmental and/or third-party audits and inspections as they pertain to worker safety

Monitors current regulatory information and requirements related to hazardous materials and agents, and works with other Farm Hub managers to ensure continued compliance; coordinates annual hazardous chemical inventory

Employee training and communication

and/or leads worker safety trainings for all Farm Hub employees (required trainings for all-staff as well as specialized trainings) to ensure legal and regulatory compliance

and tracks employee attendance and participation in trainings; maintains relevant records

employees on how to minimize or ultimately avoid risks and hazards

central posting area, ensuring it is up to date with all required safety postings in both English and Spanish

active, open, supportive, and clear channels of communication with staff related to environmental health and safety (via email, morning meetings, etc.)

Incident, accident, and injury reporting

Completes on-the-job incident and injury documentation in compliance with worker’s compensation and OSHA requirements, partnering with employees, supervisors, and People & Culture team

Investigates accidents and near misses to identify causes and determine how to prevent recurrence; works with other Farm Hub managers to make recommendations for corrective action and provide follow up related training

Partners with Manager, People Operations & Engagement to lead efforts and communication around worker’s comp administration, as needed

Liaises with Finance Director re: incident reporting as related to liability insurance and property damage, as needed

Emergency preparedness and response

with the Associate Director, P&C, develops protocols and provides response guidance for emergency situations

emergency response procedures (such as fire alarm drills) and organizes emergency teams, such as fire marshals and first aiders

emergency response procedures to illness outbreaks (including COVID)

all emergencies and maintains relevant records (contemporaneous or other)

Administration and professional development

Identifies needed resources and equipment and resources, and their related costs, and works with P&C to create annual budget

Coordinates with external consultants, including liaising with them on SOW and contract development, development of agendas and trainings, and coordinating travel and other logistics

Keeps current on new safety methods and procedures and makes recommendations to management for implementation at the Farm Hub

Attends outside conferences and meetings as are relevant

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

or demonstrable proficiency in Spanish (verbal and written) required

to five years of experience in occupational health, environmental health and safety

knowledge of environmental regulations and policies, and ability to quickly learn regulations and policies related to agriculture

with workplace safety programs

skills in data collection, record keeping and organization; attention to detail

Demonstrated ability to foster a work environment of mutual respect, team building, and collaboration; ability to develop positive working relationships with people across different backgrounds

analytical and problem-solving skills

in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PPT)

to and willingness to deepen understanding of the Farm Hub’s mission and values of equity and ecological resilience

proficiency in English (verbal and written)

written and verbal communication skills

able to conduct inspections and carry equipment used for inspections

to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer

be able to lift up to 25 pounds at a time

Preferred Qualifications

Degree in any field or or Certificate or Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety or a related discipline

30, 500 or 510 in Construction or General Industry

ability to develop agendas and facilitate meetings and trainings successfully

Knowledge of or a willingness to learn how to lead employee trainings using popular education/participatory learning methods

Experience and/or familiarity with agriculture, manufacturing, food processing and/or construction industries

First Aid and/or emergency response certification strongly preferred, or willingness to obtain training

POSITION DETAILS:

Reports to: Associate Director, People & Culture

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Supervisory Status: No

Hours per week: 40 – 45, seasonally dependent. Some early morning, evening and weekend hours as needed.

Physical Requirements: Ability to sit at workstation approximately 50% of the time, walk the campus and fields to meet with employees frequently, lift and carry approximately 25 pounds occasionally. Physically able to conduct inspections and carry equipment used for inspections.

Travel: Possible overnight travel 0-5% of the time.

Hudson Valley Farm Hub is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, socio-economic status, disability, or medical condition.