Construction Safety Lead
Duration: Full Time Direct Hire
Location: Kankakee, IL (Onsite)
Position Description :
Construction Safety Lead - Pharmaceutical Capital Projects position is a direct hire opportunity which is expected to be on-site in Kankakee, IL.
Summary
The client project team is looking to source an experienced Construction Safety Manager. The Construction Safety Manager will be a fully on site position that supports all aspect of the project execution, with a focus on Design, Construction, and Future Operation Safety
Construction Safety Lead - Roles & Responsibilities:
The Construction Safety Lead is responsible for ensuring that all construction activities within a major biopharmaceutical facility capital project are executed in compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations, industry best practices, and company policies. This role plays a critical part in protecting workers, contractors, and the surrounding environment by enforcing safety protocols, mitigating risks, and fostering a strong safety culture throughout the construction phase.
Key Responsibilities of the Construction Safety Lead
- Safety Strategy & Compliance Oversight
- Develop and implement the construction safety plan, ensuring alignment with local, national, and international safety regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ISO 45001, and corporate EHS policies).
- Ensure that all construction activities comply with Good Construction Practices (Google Cloud Platform), permit-to-work systems, and site-specific safety standards.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, auditors, and safety inspectors.
- Risk Assessment & Hazard Management
- Conduct safety risk assessments (e.g., Job Hazard Analysis, Hazard and Operability Studies - HAZOP, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - FMEA) for all construction activities.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate potential safety hazards, such as working at heights, confined spaces, hazardous materials, and heavy equipment operations.
- Establish and enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Energy Isolation procedures to prevent accidents during construction.
- Contractor Safety Management
- Review and approve contractor EHS plans, training programs, and risk mitigation strategies before site mobilization.
- Conduct contractor safety orientations to ensure all workers understand site-specific safety protocols.
- Monitor contractor compliance through regular inspections, audits, and safety performance tracking.
- Enforce penalties or stop-work orders for non-compliance with safety policies.
- Site Safety Inspections & Audits
- Conduct daily, weekly, and random safety inspections of the construction site to identify and correct unsafe conditions.
- Lead safety audits and work closely with project leadership to implement corrective actions.
- Ensure that all safety incidents, near misses, and violations are reported, investigated, and addressed through root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
- Emergency Preparedness & Incident Response
- Develop and implement emergency response plans for fire, chemical spills, structural failures, and medical emergencies.
- Conduct emergency drills and coordinate with site security, medical teams, and local emergency responders.
- Ensure proper documentation and reporting of all incidents, including OSHA recordkeeping and company-specific reporting requirements.
- Safety Training & Culture Development
- Develop and deliver safety training programs for construction workers, supervisors, and project managers.
- Promote a zero-incident safety culture by leading toolbox talks, safety stand-downs, and awareness campaigns.
- Encourage proactive reporting of hazards and implement worker feedback mechanisms to improve site safety.
- Environmental & Occupational Health Oversight
- Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, including waste disposal, air quality, water management, and hazardous material handling.
- Implement industrial hygiene programs to monitor noise, air quality, and exposure to hazardous substances.
- Work with the broader EHS team to integrate construction safety with overall site environmental and health policies.
- Project Handover & Safety Lessons Learned
- Ensure that as-built safety documentation, risk assessments, and incident reports are compiled for project closeout.
- Conduct post-construction safety reviews to evaluate lessons learned and apply improvements for future projects.
- Support the transition from construction safety protocols to operational safety procedures as the facility moves into commissioning and startup phases.
Ideal Candidate Background
Industries
Strong preference for candidates from:
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Biotechnology
- Life sciences
Experience
- 10+ years EHS experience
- 5+ years construction safety leadership
- Capital project experience exceeding $25M
- Contractor safety management
- Incident investigation and root cause analysis
- Permit-to-work administration
- Fall protection programs
- Emergency response planning
Certifications
Required or strongly preferred:
- OSHA 30 Construction
- OSHA 500 or 510
- CHST (Construction Health & Safety Technician)
- CSP (Certified Safety Professional)
- ASP (Associate Safety Professional)
- First Aid / CPR
Preferred Education
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Safety Engineering, Environmental Health & Safety, or Engineering.
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