Advisor Health & Safety

VIA Rail Canada•Montreal, QC

23h•CA$77,112 - CA$90,720•Hybrid

About The Position

VIA Rail is undertaking ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure, including a new train fleet and ongoing infrastructure improvements. This role provides specialized health and safety support throughout all phases of a project, from design to operational readiness. The focus is on leading hazard identification and risk analyses, particularly in unionized environments, ensuring active involvement of workers and union representatives. The Advisor acts as a subject-matter expert to proactively manage project risks, meet regulatory obligations, and integrate safety into project decisions.

Requirements

University degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, Industrial Relations or equivalent.
Significant experience working in unionized environments, with demonstrated ability to lead joint risk assessments with union members.
Strong expertise in hazard identification, risk assessment techniques, Job Task Analysis and incident investigation.
Solid knowledge of Canadian occupational health and safety legislation and regulatory frameworks.
Experience supporting projects in industrial or operational environments (rail, transportation, manufacturing or similar).
Knowledge of HSE management systems, audits and continuous improvement practices.
Proven ability to facilitate and influence without authority in unionized settings.
Strong analytical, synthesis and problem-solving skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both French & English (ability to explain risks in practical terms).
Collaborative leadership and high credibility with frontline workers and union representatives.
Professional judgment, autonomy and initiative.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with ISO/CSA standards is an asset.

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on HSE expertise and technical support to project teams during planning, execution, testing, commissioning and transition to operations.
Ensure project activities comply with applicable legislation, organizational HSE standards and project-specific requirements.
Support the development, review and implementation of project HSE plans, safe work procedures and controls.
Lead and facilitate risk assessments (task-based, operational and lifecycle) involving union members, HSE committees and frontline employees.
Ensure worker participation in hazard identification workshops, Job Task Analyses (JTA) and field risk reviews.
Maintain and update hazard and risk registers; track corrective actions to closure.
Promote application of the hierarchy of controls, with emphasis on engineered and preventive solutions.
Support and guide management, union representatives and HSE committees in conducting incident and near-miss investigations.
Apply structured root-cause analysis methods and support development of preventive and corrective actions.
Trend incidents and communicate lessons learned to prevent recurrence within project activities.
Conduct site inspections, safety walks and on-the-job observations during project activities.
Evaluate compliance of equipment, work practices and facilities with regulatory and internal requirements.
Provide clear recommendations based on risk severity and operational realities.
Deliver safety briefings, toolbox talks and targeted training to project teams and contractors.
Coach supervisors, union representatives and workers to strengthen risk awareness and proactive hazard reporting.
Promote a collaborative and participative safety culture within unionized environments.
Support evaluation of contractor and supplier HSE capabilities and work methods.
Ensure contractor activities align with project and organizational HSE requirements.
Monitor compliance through audits, inspections and corrective action follow-up.