Health and Safety Associate - UBC Facilities

University of British Columbia•Vancouver, BC

5d•CA$6,439 - CA$9,256•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for coordinating and administering UBC Facilities’ Occupational Health and Safety Programs to anticipate, identify, evaluate and control safety risks and processes within UBC workplaces, with the aim to protect UBC Facilities employees and the UBC community at large. This position provides guidance and advice to UBC Facilities to ensure compliance with Occupational Health & Safety regulatory requirements and conformance with best practices as outlined in ISO 45001:2018 and WorkSafeBC. This position will work with faculty and staff to develop and implement occupational health and safety programs.

Requirements

College diploma in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of two years’ experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of two years’ experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Canadian Registered Safety Professional designation is an asset.
Able to design and effectively deliver training sessions.
Demonstrated working knowledge of pertinent regulations Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Workers Compensation Act, TDG, WHMIS, BC Fire Code, guidelines and best practices.
Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Demonstrated high level of written and oral communication including presentations in group settings.
Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills are essential.
Assertive, self-starter, able to work under limited supervision to meet program goals.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Ability to exercise tact and discretion and work in a team environment and make sound technical decisions.
Able to apply regulations and procedures to a wide variety of work situations.
Physical ability to inspect diverse jobsites including operational areas, research laboratories, rooftops, crawlspaces and attic spaces. Must be capable of going up and down ladders.
Able to wear personal protective equipment such as a hard hat or respirator.
Computer skills compatible with Windows essential with database experience an asset.
Hold valid BC Class 5 driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the development and implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Programs in UBC Facilities, which includes, but not limited to workplace hazard identification, evaluation and control programs, hazard-specific programs (e.g. Asbestos, Silica, Lead, Mould), Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Central Accident Incident Reporting System (CAIRS), Confined Space, Fall Protection, De-Energization and Lockout, and Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG).
Provides consultation and conduct site visits to support regulatory compliance in OH&S programs, including worksite inspections and risk assessments, in order to protect the health and well-being of UBC Facilities employees and the UBC community. Responsible for promoting and supporting UBC Facilities to functionally align and implement University-wide Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
Responsible for delivering applicable health and safety courses; measure & participate in incident/accident investigations; develop and update training materials and manuals, and; maintain program documentation as required.
Liaises with UBC Facilities and promotes practices and procedures to support UBC Facilities’ operational goals and needs while assisting and providing direction and advice on the application of the respective Occupational Health and Safety regulations, standards and best practices.
Responsible for developing and writing Occupational Health and Safety Program documents, exposure control plans and safe work procedures and make necessary amendments to existing documents.
Develops, coordinates and delivers Occupational Health and Safety training for UBC Facilities through in person and online platforms (e.g. New Employee Orientation, Noise, Asbestos, Lead, Silica, Mould) in conjunction with relevant safety program SRS advisors and other University departments or external service providers as required. Also provides specialized/tailored sessions as required to UBC Facilities, and additional faculty and staff on campus.
Conducts safety inspections of UBC worksites and UBC maintenance and renovation projects to ensure that work practices and conditions are safe and conform to applicable regulations and procedures. Reports recommendations and/or corrective actions to management.
Maintains the Asbestos Management Program, ensures all relevant information is entered into the Asbestos Database, and provides asbestos information and support to UBC Facilities and the larger UBC community.
Provides guidance on safety issues and inquiries (e.g. hazardous materials, hierarchy of controls, occupational health and safety programs, best practices on general health and safety).
Investigates and assesses occupational exposures, including occupational monitoring (e.g. air, noise sampling) using acceptable monitoring methods, in collaboration with other SRS Research Compliance and Occupational Hygiene Advisors, UBC Facilities managers, supervisors and workers to develop solutions.
Responds to emergencies, conducts on-site assessments and provides time-sensitive guidance to UBC Facilities on hazardous materials (e.g. asbestos, lead, silica, mould) and during water intrusion events.
Acts as the SRS representative on various Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees. Providing new information, participating and supporting Incident/Accident investigation reviews, and promoting the resources and programs offered by SRS.
In conjunction with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety committee and departmental representatives, participates in incident/accident (I/A) investigations and recommends any corrective actions required. Performs audits of submitted I/A reports to ensure proper root causes and corrective actions have been made and implemented. Works with supervisors to ensure compliance with Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety regulations in regards to I/A investigations being completed and submitted in a timely manner.
Conducts respirator fit testing with both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Prepares statistical reports and contributes to Facilities’ safety newsletters by providing relevant health and safety information on an ongoing basis.
Maintains ongoing knowledge of changes to applicable Occupational Health and Safety legislation and emerging issues/trends in Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
Collaborates with other SRS Safety Advisors and Associates on new initiatives and processes as required to meet Occupational Health and Safety legislation and ISO 45001:2018 requirements.
Performs other related duties as directed to support the implementation of SRS objectives.