LAB SAFETY SPECIALIST (HYBRID)

McMaster University is ranked among the top 80 universities globally and is recognized as Canada’s Most Research Intense University. We serve our community and society by nurturing and supporting the fulfillment of human potential: inspiring creativity and critical thinking, promoting an enduring love of learning and the habit of inquiry, and undertaking innovative research that extends the boundaries and enhances the efficacy of knowledge. We are focused on advancing human and societal health and well-being, working across disciplines to find creative solutions to complex problems, helping to improve people’s lives and build a brighter future for all.  As a result, the University has been recognized every year since 2017 as the top employer in the Hamilton/Niagara region and received Canada’s Best Diversity Employer recognition five years in a row.

About Human Resources

As value-added service partners, we cultivate human potential and champion an inclusive culture by: Enabling University strategy; Collaborating with our community; Delivering service excellence; and Empowering learning & growth. McMaster University is multi-faceted with multiple locations and constituencies. As a result, Human Resources support and services at McMaster have developed over time to meet a spectrum of stakeholder needs. The Human Resources Services team consists of functional units such as HR Operations (Payroll and Data Management, HR Client Advisory Services, HR Systems Strategy, Reporting and Analytics), Talent, Equity & Development; Health, Safety Well-being & Labour Relations; Compensation, Benefits & Retirement Programs and our Strategic Implementation team who enable the delivery of comprehensive Human Resources programs and services in collaboration with leaders, HR area offices and HR practitioners across our community.

About University Health and Safety (UHS)

The UHS Centre of Expertise is a team of health & safety specialists committed to supporting the University's commitment to creativity, innovation, and excellence. UHS strives to achieve the standards in the areas of environmental and occupational health, safety, loss prevention and mitigation.

About the Position

Reporting to the Associate Director UHS, this role provides health and safety services to the faculty, staff, and students at McMaster University. The Lab Safety Specialist interacts with a wide range of people, such as faculty, staff, students, suppliers, contractors, and researchers, to provide information and advice on safe laboratory work practices and compliance measures. Additional responsibilities include implementing and supporting various Risk Management programs within established University policy and programs and ensuring compliance with federal and provincial regulations. The Lab Safety Specialist works collaboratively within the UHS team and with the Employee Health and Well-being team, as well as our faculty partners, to minimize and eliminate hazards. This role performs duties across the University such as lab inspections, laser safety programming, University chemical inventory management, chemical & biohazardous waste management, and risk identification/mitigation. The role also provides general health and safety support as needed.

Core Areas of Accountability

• Develops and implements lab safety programs, maintains systems, and provides institutional expert advice and response for laboratory users.
• Provides substantial professional and administrative expertise in the assigned specialized area of risk recognition, evaluation, control, and management related to lab safety.
• Makes recommendations on the plan, design, and renovation of labs.
• Oversees the university lab safety program in addition to specific programming including the university laser safety program, Designated Substances program, etc.
• Conducts inspections of laboratories and facilities to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements; provides support to correct deficiencies, in some cases may recommend immediate action, and follows-up to ensure implementation.
• Manages and coordinates the University chemical inventory program.
• Supports the maintenance of lab hazard identification and key responsible person programs for emergency responders.
• Assists in the coordination of response to emergency situations involving hazardous materials and/or lab equipment, advising laboratory staff and assisting with the coordination of spill clean-up where needed.
• Liaises with government inspectors on compliance audits, reports, and concerns accordingly.
• Creates and delivers health and safety training programming with a specific focus on lab safety.
• Facilitates the University's hazardous waste management program.
• Submits university regulatory reports related to lab safety and/or hazardous materials.
• As a member of the UHS team, participates in the afterhours on-call rotation for emergency calls such as chemical spills, fires, critical injuries, floods, etc.

Are you the right candidate?

This role requires a health and safety professional with a minimum of 5 years of experience. Experience in industrial/occupational hygiene, regulatory compliance and program development and implementation would be considered a strong asset. 

Other qualifications

• Bachelors or Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science or equivalent.
• Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Registered Occupational Hygienist (ROH) or professional certification in occupational health and safety.
• Demonstrated ability in researching, developing, and implementing policies or programs.
• Experience in managing projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable legislation including the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Strong communication, decision making skills and possesses good judgement.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated highly effective interpersonal and conflict resolution skills with experience in handling contentious matters with sensitivity, confidentiality, and balance.
• Proven problem recognition and solving abilities.