LAB SAFETY SPECIALIST

Company: University of Washington
Location: Seattle
Posted on: January 26, 2023

Job Description:

If you are using a screen reader and experience any difficulty accessing our web pages, please call 206-543-2544 or email UWHires and we will be happy to assist you. jump to content As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a Lab Safety Specialist.

Under general direction, this position will help administer and implement the University of Washington's (UW) Laboratory Safety Inspection Program which includes approximately 4,000 laboratory rooms and about 1,000 research groups. This program is a comprehensive health and safety audit program in place for University research laboratories where hazardous materials are used. The program includes laboratories at UW Seattle, Tacoma, Bothell, Friday Harbor, satellite facilities, and some leased facilities. This position will ensure that the program conforms to institutional and department policies and regulations. An effective Laboratory Safety Inspection Program is critical to help the University ensure health and safety of personnel, environmental protection, public trust, and compliance with federal, state and location regulations. This position is a lab Safety Specialist in the Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S).

The position requires a thorough understanding and knowledge of laboratory safety regulations, funding agency requirements, and University policy. It requires the ability to interpret, apply, and assess compliance for numerous complex and technical regulations for laboratories. It also requires strong understanding of hazard and risk assessment, risk and risk communication. These assessments require judgment, innovation, and advanced technical expertise in applying regulations and best practices to a diverse collection of research and teaching spaces. This position requires minimal supervision and is expected to regularly exercise independent decision-making, advanced technical expertise and judgment on program development, direction, and client service delivery for complex laboratory safety issues.

This position is critical for partnering with UW organizational units with the goal of providing a safe University laboratory environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors and is responsible for the implementation of a multi-faceted, critical Laboratory Safety Inspection Program for the University. The safest achievable work environment can minimize accident or injury to the individuals in the lab as well as help protect laboratory equipment and data. This position provides regulatory compliance support to the University's research and teaching mission. Failure on the part of the University to comply with these mandated laws and rules could result in injuries, regulatory citations, monetary penalty assessments, and possible civil and criminal sanctions against the University and its officials.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Laboratory Inspector and Mentor

--- Provide evaluation, consultation, and support to ensure health and safety and compliance, in the University's various complex research and teaching laboratories, in addition to carrying our inspections via established procedures.
--- Developing compliance tools and training materials for laboratories, reviewing existing practices, and recommending changes that support minimization of hazards to meet UW expectations as stated in policy documents.
--- Conduct routine lab safety inspections and schedule visits via the established program.
--- Provide support or escalated consultation and technical expertise on best practices in laboratories as determined by inspection results, incidents, or by request based on need for hazard mitigation or compliance.
--- Perform data analysis and reporting as needed.
--- Update policies, procedures, checklists, web references, and materials that support the inspection program as needed.
--- Support the annual Lab Safety Manual review and revision process.
--- Identify measures to monitor the effectiveness and improve the laboratory inspection program and related processes.
--- Work with organizational units and laboratories to implement consistent practices and procedures; provide oversight and routinely evaluate the effectiveness of inspection program.
--- Review complex research protocols, identify hazards to personnel, and assist researchers and research support staff in mitigating hazards by providing consultation, assist with laboratory procedures, personal protective equipment, chemical management practices, and lab specific training.
--- Provide expertise for the interpretation, application, and implementation safety regulations, research safety, field investigations, hazard communication, laboratory safety.
--- Assist research departments understand and implement requirements and best practices identified in the University's Laboratory Safety Manual.
--- Develop and lead departmental process for safety review of chemical handling and other occupational hazards in the laboratory environment.
--- In coordination with client groups, develop and implement compliance strategies to address regulatory mandates, which recognize the complex operational and business lines of the University.
--- Determine laboratory compliance requirements; identify areas for improvement; in both technical and layman's terms, communicate requirements, University policy, implementing guidelines/recommendations and relative risk to all levels of management, employees, professional and technical staff.
--- Provide recommendations for engineering and administrative controls primarily to address chemical and physical hazards in the laboratory; also general work practices and organization strategies, personal protective equipment, and training.
--- Review accident/injury/illness trend analysis; identify intervention strategies and necessary policy and program improvements. --- Participate in long-range strategic planning; identify initiatives and operational activities to ensure University compliance with changing standards of safety regulations.
--- Assimilate complex health and safety regulations and knowledge of University operations to develop and present technical training, web guidelines, and other educational outreach materials for delivery to audiences with a broad range of educational and technical backgrounds.
--- Conduct training related laboratory/research safety, chemical safety, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, and other lab safety related topics.
--- Participate in University and state advisory and/or technical committees and organizational lab safety committees, as assigned.

Departmental Activities and Special Projects

--- Participate in EH&S departmental and team meetings, work on special projects, other duties/projects as assigned.
--- Incorporate strategic planning initiatives from the EH&S Strategic plan into routine work. Support data gathering for metrics and performance monitoring of programs to ensure organizational efficiencies and desired outcomes are met and program goals are reached.
--- May serve as the University's EH&S On-Call (Duty Officer) on a rotational basis.


Requirements include:

--- Bachelor's Degree in Science such as chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, other natural science, environmental and occupational health sciences, public health and 4-5 years of relevant professional experience
--- Thorough understanding and knowledge of laboratory safety regulations, funding agency requirements, and University policy. Ability to interpret, apply, and assess compliance for numerous complex and technical regulations for laboratories.
--- Strong understanding of hazard and risk assessment, risk and risk communication
--- Demonstrated ability to provide judgment, innovation, and advanced technical expertise in applying regulations and best practices to a diverse collection of research and teaching spaces
--- The ability to regularly exercise independent decision-making, advanced technical expertise and judgment on program development, direction, and client service delivery for complex laboratory safety issues, with minimal supervision

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

--- Advanced degree in chemistry, biochemistry, other natural science, engineering, environmental and occupational health sciences, public health

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.


Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTEmployees of the University of Washington are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19 vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final candidates.

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