ESS Safety Manager

BYD•Lancaster, CA

About The Position

The Safety Manager develops, implements, and maintains the Company’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs across battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturing, warehouse, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and field operations. The role ensures compliance with applicable OSHA and regulatory requirements, identifies and mitigates workplace hazards, investigates incidents, manages safety training, and promotes a strong safety culture throughout the organization. The position works across manufacturing facilities, warehouses, construction sites, customer locations, and BESS project sites. It partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality, HR, and Project Management, and may require travel to Company, customer, and project sites. Travel is listed as 75%. The position may involve exposure to electrical equipment, batteries, machinery, chemicals, noise, heat, dust, and other industrial hazards; required PPE must be used.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, EHS, Industrial Safety, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
5+ years of progressive safety/EHS experience, preferably in manufacturing, electrical, energy, construction, or industrial environments.
Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety practices.
Experience conducting incident investigations, hazard assessments, and safety audits.
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively with employees, supervisors, managers, contractors, and senior leadership.
Strong execution skills, including attention to detail and multitasking.
Excellent client-facing and internal communication skills, including written and verbal communication.
Creative thinking and ability to shift gears quickly.
Thoroughness and customer/client focus.
Demonstrated problem solving, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and countermeasure identification skills related to ESS.
MS Office skills.
Time management and organization skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), lithium-ion batteries, renewable energy, or electrical systems.
Experience with high-voltage and electrical safety.
OSHA 30-hour certification.
CSP, ASP, CHST, or other recognized safety certification.
Experience with ISO 45001, NFPA standards, or safety management systems.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and maintain Company safety policies, procedures, and programs.
Ensure compliance with OSHA and applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations.
Manage safety programs including Hazard Communication, LOTO, PPE, electrical safety, emergency response, fall protection, machine safety, and other applicable programs.
Develop and maintain safety procedures specific to lithium-ion batteries and BESS operations, including thermal runaway, fire, electrical, chemical, and stored-energy hazards.
Conduct routine facility, field, and project safety inspections and audits.
Perform Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), risk assessments, and safety reviews for new equipment, processes, and projects.
Lead investigations of injuries, near misses, property damage, battery incidents, and other safety events; identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Develop and coordinate employee safety training, orientations, toolbox talks, and refresher training.
Manage the Company’s PPE program and ensure appropriate PPE is identified, provided, and properly used.
Oversee contractor and visitor safety requirements.
Support safety activities for BESS installation, commissioning, maintenance, and field service operations.
Develop and maintain emergency response plans, including procedures for battery fires, thermal runaway, electrical incidents, chemical exposure, and other emergencies.
Maintain OSHA records, safety documentation, training records, inspection reports, and incident documentation.
Track safety metrics and provide regular reports and recommendations to management.
Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, HR, and Project Management to identify and resolve safety concerns.
Promote employee participation, hazard reporting, accountability, and continuous improvement of the Company’s safety culture.