The posting
Founded in 1990, Utility Solutions is a designer and manufacturer of hot-line tools and products for the electrical power industry. Our success is based on working as a team to deliver high-quality products and unsurpassed customer service. We believe that each team member contributes directly to our growth and success as a company. Come grow with us!
We are seeking a Safety & Training Coordinator to join our team in Hickory, NC!
The Safety & Training Coordinator is responsible for administering and continuously improving the company's workplace safety and manufacturing training processes. This position partners with Human Resources and Operations to establish consistent training standards, maintain employee training records and qualification documentation, administer safety training, conduct workplace safety audits, and ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and company policies.
The Safety & Training Coordinator serves as the primary administrator of the company's safety program, ensuring required training is completed, safety documentation is maintained, compliance requirements are met, and existing safety programs remain current with regulatory changes and industry best practices. The position also works collaboratively with Human Resources and Operations to standardize how employee training is documented and tracked across all manufacturing departments. This position reports to the Director of Human Resources.
Essential Responsibilities:
Safety Program Administration
- Administer the Company's workplace safety program and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Coordinate and administer the Company's monthly safety training program.
- Assign, track, and document required employee safety training.
- Maintain safety training records, compliance checklists, certifications, acknowledgments, and supporting documentation.
- Review and update existing safety training materials to ensure they remain current with OSHA regulations, Company policies, manufacturing processes, and industry best practices.
- Monitor changes to OSHA regulations and recommend updates to Company safety policies, procedures, and training materials.
- Coordinate implementation of revised safety procedures and training requirements.
- Maintain compliance with all required annual and recurring safety training.
- Prepare reports identifying overdue training, certification renewals, and overall compliance status.
- Promote a positive safety culture throughout the organization.
Safety Audits & Compliance
- Conduct routine safety inspections and random compliance audits throughout the manufacturing facility.
- Utilize established inspection checklists to evaluate compliance with Company safety standards and OSHA requirements.
- Inspect machine guarding to verify proper installation, operation, and compliance.
- Conduct workplace noise surveys and maintain required documentation.
- Audit Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) compliance.
- Verify compliance with required personal protective equipment, including steel-toe footwear, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, respirators, and other required PPE.
- Inspect emergency exits, eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, first aid supplies, spill response equipment, and other emergency safety equipment.
- Verify Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) compliance, including chemical labeling and Safety Data Sheet availability.
- Observe employee work practices to identify unsafe conditions and behaviors.
- Document audit findings, communicate deficiencies to department leadership, and monitor corrective actions through completion.
Forklift Program Administration
- Administer the Company's Powered Industrial Truck (Forklift) Program.
- Coordinate forklift operator training, evaluations, certifications, and re-certifications.
- Maintain operator qualification records and certification documentation.
- Schedule refresher training and practical evaluations as required.
- Conduct periodic observations of forklift operators to verify continued safe operation and compliance with Company policy.
Incident Investigation & OSHA Compliance
- Coordinate workplace injury, near-miss, and incident investigations.
- Complete post-incident reports and investigation documentation.
- Assist in identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.
- Maintain OSHA 300, OSHA 300A, and OSHA 301 logs and supporting documentation.
- Monitor completion of corrective actions resulting from incidents and safety audits.
- Assist with OSHA inspections and regulatory compliance activities.
Manufacturing Training Standardization & Administration
- Partner with Human Resources and Operations to establish standardized manufacturing training processes across all production departments.
- Coordinate implementation of consistent training documentation, qualification checklists, and employee sign-off procedures.
- Maintain department training matrices and employee qualification records.
- Track employee training progress, cross-training, qualification status, and refresher training requirements.
- Work with department leads to ensure training documentation accurately reflects current manufacturing processes, work instructions, and job requirements.
- Coordinate updates to training documentation as equipment, manufacturing processes, or work instructions change.
- Identify training gaps and communicate recommendations to Human Resources and Operations.
- Prepare reports regarding employee qualifications, training progress, and outstanding training requirements.
- Assist with coordinating new hire onboarding and department-specific training.
Qualifications:
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
- Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.
- Three (3) or more years of experience in manufacturing safety, safety coordination, training administration, operations, human resources, or a related field preferred.
- Experience administering workplace safety programs.
- Experience conducting safety inspections and compliance audits.
- Experience maintaining OSHA record-keeping and safety documentation.
- Experience coordinating employee training programs preferred.
- Experience conducting workplace incident investigations preferred.
- Forklift trainer or evaluator experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Working knowledge of OSHA General Industry regulations and workplace safety practices.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Ability to coordinate and facilitate employee training.
- Ability to interpret and apply OSHA standards.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to conduct facility inspections and compliance audits.
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Ability to identify workplace hazards and recommend corrective actions.
- Ability to build positive working relationships with employees, supervisors, and department leaders.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic record-keeping systems.
- Ability to maintain confidential information.
Physical Requirements:
- Regular walking throughout manufacturing and warehouse areas.
- Frequent standing while conducting inspections and audits.
- Occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, and lifting up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment while working in manufacturing areas.
Salary: $55-62,000 annually
