Senior Industrial Hygienist

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts comprehensive inspections and audits of various CTA property locations and sites, including facilities, shops, and garages to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and CTA regulations. o Evaluates work locations for occupational health hazards by observing work conditions, assessing records, conducting interviews, and monitoring chemical or physical agents. o Performs Safety assessments of CTA facilities, garages, and shop safety processes and procedures to document compliance requirements and recommends corrective actions or changes to policies and procedures that promote regulatory compliance. o Identifies deficiencies and areas of risk within transit property locations and suggests facility and work area improvements. o Participates in incident investigations and assist managers in creating corrective and/or preventative actions. o Assists in identifying and implementing long-term solutions to systemic safety issues identified in inspections and investigations to minimize severity and preventing recurrence.
• Develops and implements proactive safety initiatives to eliminate or control unsafe behaviors, environments, and hazards in accordance with OSHA regulations and CTA requirements. This includes assisting in updating safety programs, policies, procedures, training objectives, and other initiatives to promote safe operations and prevent incidents.
• Evaluates audit findings and accident data to identify hazards and accident types that can be prevented.
• Collaborates with engineers to develop control measures such as changes in work procedures, ventilation systems, material substitution, or the use of personal protective devices where hazardous exposures are discovered.
• Prepares formal reports to communicate audit findings and make recommendations for corrective action to work procedures and processes.
• Provides accurate and complete technical reports of findings and prepares recommendations on how to correct hazardous conditions.
• Monitors safety programs to ensure recommendations have been effectively implemented and resulted in positive results.
• Assists in the development of occupational safety and health training programs. Conducts training sessions and meets with management to provide safety training information that promotes system safety within the workforce.
• Serves as subject matter expert to conduct reviews and analysis of new and existing standard operating procedures, operating rules, bulletins and training programs to ensure that the latest requirements are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations and codes.
• Analyzes federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to occupational safety and health to develop and prepare safety programs and procedures to ensure CTA compliance and safety. This includes Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) laws and regulations.
• Review Safety Data Sheets document, track, and process them as required for use in the Authority.
• Review new and / or existing equipment document, track, and process them as required for use in the Authority. Work with end user to determine need.
• Performs Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) to identify hazardous working conditions and unsafe employee activities for the purpose of elimination or control, and recommends solutions to eliminate and/or minimize risk.
• Mentors and guides junior Industrial Hygienist, fostering their professional development and growth.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

CHALLENGES

• Keeping abreast of all compliance regulations with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory compliance programs. * Involvement with the regulatory agencies (e.g., Chicago Dept. of Public Health, Illinois Dept. of Labor) * Keeping abreast of all CTA operations in connection with safety aspects. * Maintaining awareness of liability concerns when dealing with legal community and oversight organizations.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, or a related field plus five (5) years of experience in Industrial Hygiene field, or a combination of education and experience related to the position. Advanced degree preferred.
• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license (DL).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity, and fingering for working with computer keyboards.
• Demands include extensive moving (up to 3 miles at one time), sometimes on rocks and on narrow catwalks, and climbing (such as onto trains and back down and up and down ladders of various sizes).
• Must wear applicable restrictive personal protective equipment.
• Must be able to lift various objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Detailed knowledge of the application of all Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and regulatory compliance programs.
• Detailed knowledge of Industrial Hygienist Practices.
• Detailed knowledge of the methods and practices in surveying, evaluating, and inspecting workplaces, processes, products, or other systems.
• Detailed knowledge of the methods and practices of investigations, research, analysis, and/or data compilation and report presentation.
• Detailed knowledge in the use of Industrial Hygiene sampling tools and equipment.
• Strong computer skills.
• Strong oral and written communications skills and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills in dealing with external groups and/or organizations.
• Good customer service skills.
• Intermediate project management skills.
• Ability to apply safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise or resolve technical matters.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work with sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other Departments.
• Ability to anticipate, identify and evaluate hazardous conditions and practices
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate hazard control designs, methods, procedures and programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.
• Required to carry a cellular phone / tablet.
• Must be available to respond to calls or email inquiries outside of regular work hours.
• Required to travel to various CTA property locations including facilities, garages, and shops.
• Working conditions are varied and include all weather ranges (from extreme cold to extreme heat, rain to snow and ice, etc.).
• Conditions also include working at extreme heights; working near electrified third rail; working in subway tunnels with limited clearance, visibility, etc.
• May be required to work various extended or irregular hours in order to meet project deadlines or respond to CTA emergencies.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment. personal computer and related software (Microsoft Office Suite, and other related software).
• Utilize advanced monitoring equipment and analytical techniques to quantify and evaluate workplace exposures.
• Various types of measuring devices, digital camera, personal computers (including handheld devices), label maker, various types of gauges, light tools (wrenches and screwdrivers), reflective safety vests, respirator, personal protective clothing, etc.

https://www.transitchicago.com/hrbenefits/