Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

GFL Environmental•Columbus, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

GFL is seeking a dedicated Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist to join our refinery operations team in Columbus, Ohio. The EHS Specialist provides day-to-day support to ensure the safe, compliant, efficient, and reliable operations of the GFL Refinery. This role is critical in maintaining our commitment to operational excellence and employee safety in a dynamic refinery environment. Process Safety Management Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) Management : Conduct and coordinate comprehensive process hazard analyses including HAZOP studies, What-If analyses, and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for refinery operations. Identify potential hazards in distillation, and hydrotreatment units, ensuring all findings are documented and corrective actions are implemented. Management of Change (MOC) Program Implementation : Oversee the Management of Change process for all modifications to equipment, procedures, raw materials, and operating conditions. Review and approve proposed changes to ensure they don't introduce new hazards or compromise existing safety systems. Process Safety Information (PSI) Maintenance : Maintain current and accurate process safety information including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment specifications, and safety data sheets for all chemicals used in the re-refining process. Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis : Lead investigations of process safety incidents, near misses, and equipment failures using systematic methodologies. Develop comprehensive corrective and preventive action plans, and communicate lessons learned across the organization. Emergency Response and Crisis Management : Develop and maintain emergency response procedures specific to refinery hazards including hydrocarbon releases, fire scenarios, and equipment failures. Coordinate with local emergency responders, conduct regular emergency drills, and associated required training . Incident Management & Analysis Actively support the injury management process to ensure the appropriate level of care is administered to affected personnel. Ensure working relationships are maintained with key personnel at designated clinics and injury management protocols are in place and robust. Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Management Ensure that GFL facilities comply with OSHA, EPA, and other local, state, and federal standards through regular audits and compliance assessments. Ensure that all hazardous and nonhazardous waste management activities and environmental operating permits are managed and conducted in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Workplace Safety & Training Provide comprehensive training to employees to follow safe work practices and maintain a safe working environment through training sessions, presentations, conference calls, and the distribution of safety materials. Develop and deliver safety training programs tailored to specific job functions and operational hazards. Safety Program Support Provide coordinated efforts and support for the Safety and Emergency Response program across all refinery operations. Coach teams and individuals on Safety and Emergency Response related tasks and activities, fostering a culture of safety excellence with operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety, or related field
3+ years of experience in EHS roles within industrial or refinery environments
Demonstrated leadership in managing teams, projects, and initiatives across various operational settings.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, enabling effective interaction with hourly employees, staff, contractors, and company leadership.
Proven ability to prioritize tasks and consistently meet deadlines in dynamic environments.
Sound judgment and advanced problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues and implement effective solutions.
Highly motivated, results-oriented team player who thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure work environments.
Ability to work independently while maintaining strong collaborative relationships.
Ability to work in refinery environments including exposure to heights, confined spaces, and industrial equipment.
Willingness to work flexible hours including potential emergency response situations.
Valid work authorization in the country where the job is located is required.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications (CSP) or equivalent) preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct and coordinate comprehensive process hazard analyses including HAZOP studies, What-If analyses, and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for refinery operations.
Identify potential hazards in distillation, and hydrotreatment units, ensuring all findings are documented and corrective actions are implemented.
Oversee the Management of Change process for all modifications to equipment, procedures, raw materials, and operating conditions.
Review and approve proposed changes to ensure they don't introduce new hazards or compromise existing safety systems.
Maintain current and accurate process safety information including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment specifications, and safety data sheets for all chemicals used in the re-refining process.
Lead investigations of process safety incidents, near misses, and equipment failures using systematic methodologies.
Develop comprehensive corrective and preventive action plans, and communicate lessons learned across the organization.
Develop and maintain emergency response procedures specific to refinery hazards including hydrocarbon releases, fire scenarios, and equipment failures.
Coordinate with local emergency responders, conduct regular emergency drills, and associated required training .
Actively support the injury management process to ensure the appropriate level of care is administered to affected personnel.
Ensure working relationships are maintained with key personnel at designated clinics and injury management protocols are in place and robust.
Ensure that GFL facilities comply with OSHA, EPA, and other local, state, and federal standards through regular audits and compliance assessments.
Ensure that all hazardous and nonhazardous waste management activities and environmental operating permits are managed and conducted in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Provide comprehensive training to employees to follow safe work practices and maintain a safe working environment through training sessions, presentations, conference calls, and the distribution of safety materials.
Develop and deliver safety training programs tailored to specific job functions and operational hazards.
Provide coordinated efforts and support for the Safety and Emergency Response program across all refinery operations.
Coach teams and individuals on Safety and Emergency Response related tasks and activities, fostering a culture of safety excellence with operations.