Environmental Health & Safety Technician

Role Details

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, the Environmental Health & Safety Technician (EH&S) will assist in development and implementation of the MBLs environmental health and safety programs to safeguard both visitors and employees and ensure legal compliance. Monitors and evaluates health and safety concerns including physical, chemical, radiation, laser, biological and/or other hazards. Plans and conducts surveys, audits and inspections of instruments, laboratories and/or other facilities to ensure proper functioning and compliance with government health and safety laws and regulations, as well as the MBL policies and procedures. Analyzes data, writes reports and maintains required documentation. Assists Manager in conducting incident investigations, recommends corrective action plans and follows-up to ensure implementation. Provides guidance on specified compliance issues and may serve as a liaison with regulatory agencies. Assists with the development of and implements compliance and/or health and safety training programs. Participate in emergency response teams. May participate in the development of health and safety policies and procedures.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide Education Division, Research Division, Animal Care Facility and non-laboratory departments with safety review of their processes, technical support and training support to ensure a safe work environment. Assists with preparing laboratory specific SOPs by providing template, technical assistance and document review.

2. Provides applicable annual safely training with appropriate content, frequency requirements, and assignment to personnel consistent with MBL policy and local, state or federal regulations. Training may include chemical safety, biological safety, fire safety, laser safety, radioactive material safety, select agents, ergonomics, back safety, trips & falls, fall protection, hearing conservation, electrical safety, lockout/tagout, confined spaces, and other safety topics. Supports yearly laboratory safety inspections. Conducts inspections, documents non-conformances, creates reports and provides feedback/corrective actions to departments.

3. Provides certification of safety monitoring programs at MBL which include biosafety cabinets, chemical fume hoods, autoclaves, liquid scintillation counters, radiation probes and meters, eyewash stations and safety showers.

4. Provides completion of the yearly laboratory-wide Chemical Inventory from which high hazards are evaluated, expired/old/unwanted material removed, laboratory safety placards updated, and review training needs for groups based on learned hazards.

5. Coordinates the removal and disposal of chemical and biological wastes (including both sharps and glass waste) from laboratories as required by Massachusetts’ regulations. Works with disposal vendor(s) for coordinating waste pickups, sorting of main accumulation area, and appropriate manifesting and timely removal of waste. Supports emergencies relating to biological or chemical spills.

6. Participates in the Fire Response Team and Local Emergency Preparedness Committee. Serves in the following committees: Safety Committee, Safety Representatives, and Incident Management Team.

7. Supports reviews and investigations of injury/accident reports for root cause and corrective action.

8. Performs all other duties as required and/or assigned.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

Knowledge of federal, state and local environmental health and safety regulations. Must be detail oriented and able to prepare documents and reports as necessary. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team, work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines, and manage stressful situations.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in science or a related field.

A minimum of one year of relevant experience including internships.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The working environment for this position requires the ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds, work on ladders, handle 55-gallon drums and wear personal protective equipment.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Marine Biological Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.