Laboratory Safety Officer

About the position The Laboratory Safety Officer (LSO) is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive health and safety program for the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL). This position also fulfills the Department of Labor mandated role of Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO). In this role the LSO supports staff education & training in health and safety measures and ensures compliance with applicable health and safety regulations. The LSO chairs the HETL Safety Committee and conducts periodic safety and health audits throughout the HETL facility. The Laboratory Safety Officer updates safety and health policies, processes, and procedures as needed. This position plays a central role in promoting a strong culture of safety by identifying and reporting actual and potential safety issues that may place staff and others at risk; assessing those risks; implementing redundant systems to reduce risks to the absolute minimum; overseeing of site-specific workplace safety policies and procedures; and maintaining a safety plan that meets agency and OSHA requirements. In this role, you will help protect the health and safety of Maine’s public health laboratory workforce by:

• Providing consultive, professional safety advice and expertise to the Associate Director of the Health and Environmental Testing laboratory (HETL)
• Developing comprehensive safety policies, processes, and procedures as part of the HETL safety program.
• Conducting annual safety training to HETL staff
• Serving as the subject matter expert (SME) for HETL in all matters related to worker safety and health and chemical hygiene safety.
• Exercising independent judgement in recommending and implementing policy and protocol development.
• Determining safe work practices to control hazards.
• Determining scheduled and unscheduled internal audits to review actual practices within the facility.
• Determining appropriate systems to track hazards, near-miss incidents, and injuries to HETL staff, DHHS staff, vendors, and visitors within the facility.
• Determining decontamination practices to be used in case of an event.
• Determining best practices to align with all regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Developing comprehensive safety policies, processes, and procedures as part of the HETL safety program.
• Conducting annual safety training to HETL staff
• Serving as the subject matter expert (SME) for HETL in all matters related to worker safety and health and chemical hygiene safety.
• Exercising independent judgement in recommending and implementing policy and protocol development.
• Determining safe work practices to control hazards.
• Determining scheduled and unscheduled internal audits to review actual practices within the facility.
• Determining appropriate systems to track hazards, near-miss incidents, and injuries to HETL staff, DHHS staff, vendors, and visitors within the facility.
• Determining decontamination practices to be used in case of an event.
• Determining best practices to align with all regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in chemical, physical, industrial hygiene, environmental, or health safety sciences.
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience within a laboratory or chemical-related facility with responsibilities for safety programs with proficiency in laboratory safety or chemical hygiene.
• A comprehensive knowledge of laboratory operations and practices and a demonstrated ability to establish working relationships with diverse groups.

Nice-to-haves

• Expertise and knowledge of scientific and technical components of laboratory testing.
• Ability to apply emergency and risk communication principles and techniques to accurately explain information to others.
• Ability to mitigate emergency events, coordinating with public safety, Maine DOL, DEP, EPA, etc.
• Chemical Hygiene Officer certification or eligibility for the certification.

Benefits

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,845.82 - $15,112.76 annual value), depending on salary.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($395.72 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.91% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave.

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