Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

New York State Job Description
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Project Phases
Construction & Installation
Phase 3
Component Manufacturing
Phase 2
Operations & Maintenance
Phase 4
Typical employers
Wind Energy Developers, Energy and Utility Companies, Construction and Engineering Firms, Marine and Maritime Companies
Location
Offshore & Onshore
Work Evironment
Physical Requirements

While their job primarily involves administrative and analytical tasks related to safety management, they should also meet certain physical requirements to effectively perform their duties and address safety concerns in this unique offshore environment. Here are some of the physical requirements for these roles:

  1. Mobility and Stamina: Specialists should have the physical stamina to move around the work site, including offshore platforms, vessels, and other locations, to conduct safety inspections and audits.
  2. Access to Work Areas: They should be able to access different parts of the offshore wind installation, which may involve climbing stairs, ladders, and gangways, as well as working in confined spaces.
  3. Physical Fitness: A basic level of physical fitness is important to handle the demands of the work environment, including potentially rough sea conditions and the need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during inspections.
  4. Strength and Agility: While their work is not physically demanding in the traditional sense, they should have the strength and agility to handle safety equipment, such as life jackets, safety harnesses, and emergency response equipment.
  5. Manual Dexterity: Specialists may need to use their hands for tasks such as operating safety equipment, handling safety gear, and conducting safety drills.
  6. Communication Skills: While not a strictly physical requirement, good communication skills, including clear speech and the ability to communicate in noisy environments, are essential for conveying safety information and instructions effectively.
  7. Sensory Perception: Being attentive to visual, auditory, and tactile cues is important for identifying potential safety hazards, unsafe conditions, and incidents.
  8. Coordination: Effective coordination of physical actions and safety responses is important in emergency situations and while conducting safety drills.
  9. Vision and Hearing: Specialists should have good vision and hearing to observe and assess safety conditions, recognize hazards, and communicate effectively with team members and personnel.
  10. Seafaring Abilities: For safety specialists working on offshore platforms or marine vessels, it's important to be comfortable with seafaring conditions, which may include maintaining balance, adapting to the movement of the vessel, and addressing seasickness if experienced.

While Occupational Health and Safety Specialists may not engage in strenuous physical labor, they should be physically capable of moving safely around the offshore wind site, including platforms, vessels, and equipment, and responding to safety incidents or emergencies effectively. They should also be familiar with safety procedures in a maritime environment, which may have specific physical demands compared to onshore safety roles. Safety specialists should always prioritize safety and be prepared to handle physical demands and environmental conditions that may arise in the offshore wind industry.

Experience

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in the offshore wind industry play a critical role in ensuring the safety of personnel, contractors, and the environment during the development, construction, and operation of offshore wind projects. Their responsibilities involve managing and implementing health and safety programs, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Here are the key tasks and responsibilities of Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in the offshore wind sector:

  1. Risk Assessment: Specialists conduct thorough risk assessments of all aspects of offshore wind operations, identifying potential hazards, evaluating their severity, and developing strategies to mitigate or eliminate risks. This includes assessing risks associated with heavy machinery, work at heights, confined spaces, electrical systems, and marine operations.
  2. Safety Program Development: They design and implement comprehensive safety programs, policies, and procedures tailored to the offshore wind industry's unique challenges. These programs cover aspects like fall protection, crane safety, fire safety, and emergency response.
  3. Regulatory Compliance: Occupational Health and Safety Specialists stay informed about and ensure compliance with safety regulations, industry standards, and environmental laws specific to offshore wind. They collaborate with regulatory authorities to maintain compliance.
  4. Emergency Response Planning: Specialists develop emergency response plans for offshore wind projects, including evacuation procedures, medical response protocols, and safety drills to prepare personnel for potential emergencies at sea.
  5. Training and Education: They provide safety training and education to workers and contractors, emphasizing proper procedures and protocols to minimize risks. This training may cover topics like electrical safety, working at heights, and handling hazardous materials.
  6. Incident Investigation: In the event of accidents or safety incidents, specialists investigate the causes, analyze the events, and recommend corrective actions to prevent future occurrences.
  7. Safety Inspections: Regular safety inspections are conducted to ensure that equipment, machinery, and facilities meet safety standards. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists work with maintenance and operation teams to rectify any safety deficiencies.
  8. Environmental Protection: They ensure that health and safety practices align with environmental protection goals, minimizing the impact of offshore wind operations on the marine environment.
  9. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Specialists oversee the proper selection and use of PPE, ensuring that personnel have access to the necessary safety gear and use it correctly.
  10. Health and Wellness Programs: They may develop and implement health and wellness programs to promote overall well-being and manage the physical and mental health of offshore wind personnel.
  11. Behavior-Based Safety: Promoting a culture of safety, specialists encourage safe behavior and practices among workers and contractors, fostering a commitment to safety throughout the workforce.
  12. Safety Data Analysis: Occupational Health and Safety Specialists collect and analyze safety data to identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities to enhance safety measures.
  13. Audit and Inspection Coordination: They coordinate safety audits and inspections conducted by internal teams, third-party auditors, and regulatory agencies.
  14. Contractor and Vendor Oversight: Specialists ensure that contractors and vendors adhere to safety standards and requirements in their contracts and agreements.
  15. Continual Improvement: They continuously assess and update safety programs to incorporate new safety technologies and best practices, striving for continual improvement in safety performance.

Safety is a top priority in offshore wind projects, given the challenging environment and the need to protect workers and the natural surroundings. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists are crucial in mitigating risks, preventing accidents, and maintaining a safe work environment throughout the lifecycle of offshore wind projects.


Educational Requirements

Certifications & requirements outline

Many jobs in offshore wind located offshore or are infrequent visitors of the farm need a certain level of GWO training. If your job does not visit wind farms then you don't need any level of GWO certification.

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

The CSP certification is offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). It is a widely recognized certification that covers various aspects of safety management. CSPs demonstrate their knowledge in safety and risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and safety program development.

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Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

The CIH certification, also provided by the BCSP, focuses on industrial hygiene, which includes the identification and management of health hazards in the workplace. This certification is valuable for specialists dealing with air quality, chemicals, and other industrial hygiene concerns in the offshore wind industry.

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Certified Safety Manager (CSM)

The CSM certification is awarded by the Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM). It emphasizes safety program management and risk assessment and is valuable for professionals responsible for safety programs in the wind industry.

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Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST)

The OHST certification, also from BCSP, is designed for safety professionals who are responsible for ensuring the safety and health of workers. It covers safety program management, workplace hazards, and occupational health.

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Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)

Offered by BCSP, the CHST certification is for safety specialists involved in construction activities. This may be relevant for offshore wind projects during the construction phase.

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Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) Certification

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) offers certifications related to environmental management systems. This certification is beneficial for specialists working in the offshore wind industry, where environmental protection is crucial.

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Certified Environmental Auditor (CEA)

The CEA certification is offered by the Board of Environmental, Health and Safety Auditor Certifications (BEAC) and is designed for professionals who conduct environmental audits and assessments.

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GWO Basic Safety Training

GWO BST training shall enable participants to support and care for themselves and others working in the industry by possessing the knowledge and skills of first aid, working at heights, manual handling, fire awareness, sea survival and in case of an emergency, to be able to evacuate, rescue and provide appropriate first aid to casualties. Upon completion of the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training (BST), participants will possess an awareness of the hazards encountered when working within the wind industry and how to control and mitigate these hazards. The BST will also equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to appropriately respond in the event of an emergency and to increase their safety through proper use of personal protective equipment, emergency equipment and procedures. The approved GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) provides participants with important skills, which include fire awareness, first aid, working at heights, and manual handling. To enable participants to work in the offshore environment, an additional GWO Sea Survival Module training shall be completed.

wHERE CAN YOU GET THIS CERTIFICATION?

National Offshore Wind Training Center (NOWTC)

The NOWI will offer Global Wind Organization (GWO) modules needed by the offshore and onshore wind developers, and other companies related to offshore wind. The GWO training modules will include: GWO Basic Safety, GWO Basic Technical, GWO Advanced Rescue, GWO Enhanced First Aid, GWO Blade Repair, and GWO Standard Slinger Signaler/Rigger Signal Person. Bristol’s NOWI has partnered with Maersk Training, bringing its long-term expertise to ensure the most effective and efficient training experience for you and your company.

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ABB Wind Power Solutions

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Community Offshore Wind

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Equinor

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General Electric (GE)

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Haugland Group

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Marmen Welcon

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Wind Tower Manufacturer, Offshore Wind Tower Manufacturer, Renewables energy, Transition Pieces, Wind Tower Fabrication, Wind Power, Wind Energy, Wind Tower Production, Blasting, Metallization and painting, Assembly of internal components, Transition Piece Production, and Steel Fabrication

Headquarters

US Office

1820 North Plum Avenue

Brandon (South Dakota) 57005USA

Tel.: 605 582-4500

Albany, New York Expected in 2023

Canada Office

557 des Erables Street

Trois-Rivières (Quebec) G8T 8Y8

Orsted

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Whatever your background and qualifications, you could find a job at Ørsted that fits you – one where you can develop personally and professionally, while helping us work towards our vision of a world that runs entirely on green energy. Roles at Ørsted are grouped into the 12 broad areas below. Explore some of these areas by following the links, to find out more about the kinds of roles they might include. These are some examples but you can always see the full breadth of opportunities and search for specific jobs, locations and keywords in our open vacancies list.

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Roman Stone Construction

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Roman Stone Construction is a Premier Manufacturer of PCPS & Barriers, Offshore Wind Products, Concrete Specialty Products, Cast Iron Products Serving New York City, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island.

Headquarters

85 South 4th Street
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Phone: 631-202-0640
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Siemens Gamesa

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Siemens Gamesa brings together a team of 24,500 passionate employees of close to 100 nationalities working in more than 90 countries around the world. This diversity and breadth is a tremendous advantage, as employees benefit from one another’s experience and technical know-how. Our global reach opens new horizons for professional opportunities and growth, and our work has a bigger impact than ever on the ongoing transformation of the energy industry.

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Vineyard Offshore

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Join our growing team of dedicated industry professionals driving the launch of the US offshore wind industry. Vineyard Offshore is 100% focused on offshore wind in the US, and we provide a challenging and rewarding work environment where accelerated professional exposure and growth are possible alongside great colleagues.

We are looking for the very best to help us accelerate the clean energy revolution and make all of us better – come join us.

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Career Pathways

Visit NYSERDA's Offshore Wind Training Website to learn more about how this career advances.

Offshore Wind Training

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