Safety Officer - Chemical & Solvent Safety

Position Summary

The Safety Officer is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining all chemical, solvent, and operational safety programs within a cGMP-regulated environment. This role ensures the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous and controlled substances, oversees regulatory compliance across all applicable agencies, and maintains rigorous documentation and fire safety standards. The Safety Officer serves as the site authority on workplace safety, fire prevention, and regulatory adherence.

• Develop, implement, and enforce safety procedures for the handling, storage, and disposal of all solvents, acids, and reactive chemicals on site.
• Oversee safe handling protocols for strong acid-based reagents, including proper neutralization, containment, secondary containment, and corrosion-resistant storage requirements.
• Establish handling, ventilation, exposure monitoring, and storage segregation controls for hazardous and reactive reagents, ensuring incompatible materials are stored separately.
• Maintain an accurate, real-time inventory of all hazardous chemicals, ensuring correct labeling and up-to-date Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every substance.
• Monitor employee exposure levels and ensure all engineering controls, fume hoods, and ventilation systems function within required limits.

• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, and NFPA standards across all operations.
• Maintain compliance within a cGMP environment, ensuring safety practices align with current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements and documentation standards.
• Oversee DEA registration, recordkeeping, and ongoing compliance for all controlled substances, including secure storage, access control, inventory reconciliation, and reporting obligations.
• Prepare for and support internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory visits.
• Maintain complete and audit-ready records of inventories, inspections, incidents, training, and corrective actions.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the site fire prevention and emergency response program.
• Ensure proper classification, storage, and separation of flammable and combustible materials in accordance with NFPA standards.
• Inspect and maintain fire suppression systems, extinguishers, alarms, and emergency exits on a scheduled basis.
• Conduct regular fire drills and ensure all personnel are trained in evacuation and emergency response procedures.
• Conduct routine and scheduled risk assessments across all chemical handling and production processes.
• Identify hazards proactively and implement corrective and preventive measures.
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans for spills, exposures, and chemical incidents.
• Investigate all incidents and near misses, performing root cause analysis and documenting findings.
• Design and deliver safety training programs covering chemical handling, controlled substances, PPE, and emergency response.
• Promote a strong culture of safety and accountability across all departments.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all employee safety concerns and questions.

• Assess and define PPE requirements for all chemical and solvent handling tasks.
• Manage PPE inventory, ensure availability, and verify correct usage.
• Conduct fit testing and training on proper PPE use and maintenance.

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• 3 to 5 years of safety experience within a cGMP, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and DEA regulations.
• Experience managing controlled substances and DEA-regulated materials strongly preferred.
• Certifications such as CSP (Certified Safety Professional) or CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager) are preferred.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate across operations and production teams.

• Regular exposure to laboratory and production environments involving solvents, acids, and hazardous reagents.
• Required to wear appropriate PPE including respirators, chemical-resistant gloves, and eye protection.
• Occasional extended hours during audits, inspections, or incident investigations.
• Physical ability to conduct site inspections, respond to emergencies, and handle safety equipment.