Health And Safety Coordinator

Nature Fresh Farms is a Leamington-based greenhouse company with facilities in Leamington, ON and Delta, OH as well as Laredo, TX.

Our company and its innovative, dynamic team are expanding every day, growing new plant varieties, and introducing cutting-edge ideas and practices to the fresh produce industry.

However, at Nature Fresh, we don’t just grow plants we also grow people. Our team is passionate about bringing the highest quality products to consumers, but it is also committed to creating an inspiring, diverse, and team-oriented workplace environment that everyone can enjoy.

Nature Fresh Farms is a recognized leader within the greenhouse farming industry join our team and help us continue to grow!

We are currently looking to fill a permanent full-time position for a H&S Coordinator for our Health & Safety department at our Ohio, USA location.

The Health & Safety Coordinator is a hands-on role that works cross-functionally with the Food Safety Coordinator, the HR team, management and employees at all levels to promote a positive safety culture.

He / She will ensure H&S practices, training and audits are implemented and followed consistently across all areas, as well as ensuring that any employee safety issues are handled promptly and fairly.

Job Specific Duties

• Ensures the health and safety plans, policies, programs, and procedures are followed including compliance with OSHA.
• Conducts training sessions with employees on Forklift (theory). Lockout / tag, working at heights, H&S policies, Worker H&S awareness training, legislative requirements, and best practices.
• Organize and maintain training matrix to ensure all training is recorded, current and follows through on all H&S related recurrent training requirements.
• Ensure all employee active H&S related certificates remain up to date. Etc. CPR / First Aid.
• Conducts facility wide Job Hazard Analysis to identify hazards and put controls in place to eliminate or reduce the risk of injuries to the employees.
• Investigates accidents, incidents, near misses, etc. thoroughly and responds appropriately through communicating, training, and following up with supervisors and employees.

Also identifies and works with management to put controls in place to prevent future accidents or injuries.

• Overseeing the return to work and modified work programs, working closely with HR, Human Resources, the employee(s), their supervisors and BWC to ensure safe and timely return to work.
• Ensure open and clear communication with the HR department involving injuries return to work programs and the BWC.
• Administrates the return to work and modified work programs, working closely with Human Resources, the employee(s), their Managers / Supervisors, works comp, to ensure safe and timely return to work.
• Conduct H&S audits, visiting all sites to conduct inspections and risk assessments with the goal of reducing / addressing risks and ensuring compliance.
• Chairs the Joint Health Safety Committee.
• Works with HR, the H&S Manager and JHSC members on any complex BWC claims, disputes or appeals : liaising and providing guidance where appropriate, ensuring yearly rebates are gained.
• Manages monthly facility JHSC inspections utilizing the Provision platform to ensure compliance with OSHA standards and regulations.
• Maintain the organization of all H&S related documentation (training, facility inspections, policies, incident / accidents) through the H&S Hub.
• Ensure adequate representation of each Delta location concerning the Black Swamp Safety Council and the BWC safety initiatives.
• Continuation of learning and development through extra-curricular courses
• Prepare and organize for Fair Trade USA audits, ensuring the H&S department continuously remains current to the social responsibility requirements.
• Submits monthly reports outlining incidents / accident, major claims and ongoing initiatives to the H&S Manager.
• Meets and collaborates weekly through teams with the H&S Manager
• Performs other related duties and projects as required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years hands-on health and safety experience in either a production facility or agriculture are assets.
• Solid knowledge of OHSA, workers compensation (BWC), and health and safety legislation, regulations
• First Aid and CPR certification required
• Knowledge of safety laws, health & safety best practices, workplace hazards and control measures
• Able to build positive relationships, have a collaborative working style and the ability to explain safety programs / processes to employees in an understandable manner and get buy in
• Skills to interpret regulatory, industry, customer and internal documentation and the ability to convey the requirements to all Company stake holders.

Strong technical writing skills.

• Ability to influence implement and improve systems and processes; enforce standards and procedures and minimize non-conformance of standards; strong follow-through
• Able to work and collaborate effectively cross-functionally with leaders and employees at all levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple sites; strong organization and detail orientation
• Good documentation, report writing and efficient document maintenance skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to train and present small to large groups effectively
• Good computer skills with Windows applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle are required.
• OSHA 30-hour training is an asset
• Spanish speaking is an asset.

Working Conditions

• Works with a wide array of people in a team setting, these include HR, food safety management, locals, offshore workers, contractors, etc.
• The greenhouse may be hot, humid, moist or cold at any time of the year and during cleanout the greenhouse will be dusty.
• Exposure to pests in the greenhouse.
• Works Monday-Saturday, an average of 45-50 hours / week. Must be flexible to work longer hours as needed, during peak periods

Nature Fresh Farms is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from candidates, in accordance with all relevant legislation.

Nature Fresh Farms provides an accessible environment in which all individuals have access in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.