Safety Specialist

Position Title:

Safety Specialist Wage:
Based on Experience

Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions is seeking a Safety Specialist to join our client’s Human Resources team in Springfield, MO. This is a hands-on, highly visible role responsible for leading occupational safety initiatives, reducing workplace risk, and strengthening a culture of safety across a manufacturing environment. Reporting to the Global Compliance & Risk Manager, the Safety Specialist will work closely with Operations, Human Resources, Engineering, Quality, and Environmental teams to maintain a safe, compliant workplace.

This position will also provide exposure to broader areas including risk management, emergency preparedness, sustainability, business continuity, and disaster planning.

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the company’s occupational safety program and ISO 45001-aligned management system
• Establish safety objectives, performance metrics, reporting, and improvement initiatives that support daily operations
• Ensure compliance with OSHA General Industry standards, NFPA requirements, emergency-response regulations, workers’ compensation, return-to-work programs, and company policies
• Conduct workplace inspections, audits, observations, hazard assessments, and risk assessments
• Maintain and improve safety controls related to JSAs/JHAs, LOTO, machine guarding, PPE, chemical safety, ergonomics, and corrective actions
• Investigate workplace incidents, injuries, near misses, and property damage; conduct root-cause analysis and track corrective actions through completion
• Partner with Human Resources on workers’ compensation and return-to-work activities
• Lead safety training and the Safety Committee while coaching employees and supervisors on safe work practices, accountability, and reporting
• Maintain OSHA records, safety data, training documentation, inspection records, dashboards, and corrective-action tracking
• Analyze safety trends and recommend improvements based on data and observations
• Coordinate emergency drills, first-aid/AED readiness, contractor and hot-work safety, industrial hygiene activities, insurance loss-control visits, audits, and regulatory inspections
• Partner with the Environmental Supervisor on overlapping EHSS responsibilities
• Support regulatory audits and special projects involving risk management, business continuity, disaster planning, sustainability, and broader compliance initiatives
• Work with the Quality team to support compliance with AS9100 certification standards
• Uphold company standards for integrity, quality, safety, and operational excellence

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, Regulatory Compliance, or a related field preferred
• 4+ years of safety or regulatory compliance experience required; 6+ years preferred
• Manufacturing experience is strongly preferred
• Experience with hazard and risk assessments, incident investigations, safety program implementation, ISO 45001, and computer-based health and safety systems preferred
• Equivalent education, certifications, and experience will be considered
• Working knowledge of OSHA General Industry standards, NFPA requirements, emergency response, and manufacturing safety controls including LOTO, machine guarding, PPE, chemical safety, and ergonomics
• Familiarity with ISO 45001, safety management systems, Microsoft Office, and health and safety software
• Environmental and sustainability knowledge is a plus
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, incident investigation, root-cause analysis, and data-analysis skills
• Excellent organizational, project management, prioritization, and follow-through abilities
• Strong written, verbal, training, leadership, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to build relationships and effectively communicate with employees and leaders at all levels
• Comfortable working cross-functionally and independently while managing multiple priorities
• Ability to maintain a visible presence on the manufacturing floor and translate safety requirements into practical, actionable expectations
• Ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives and adapt to evolving business and compliance needs