Senior Manager, Health, Safety & Environment

The Role

We are looking for a dedicated individual to join our team as a Senior Manager, Health, Safety & Environment. Reporting to the Director, People, Safety & Culture, the incumbent manages the organization’s health and safety function and supports the implementation and continuous improvement of the Health, Safety, and Environmental Management System (HSEMS). The position provides strategic input, technical and operational expertise, and leads proactive loss prevention and risk reduction programs across multiple sites.

Working closely with leaders, Field Operations and employees, the Senior Manager supports legislative compliance, strengthens safe work practices and advances organizational health and safety priorities and a proactive safety culture.

This is an on-site position located at 1340 Brant Street, Burlington. Burlington Hydro offers eligible employees the flexibility to work remotely one (1) day per week as part of our Hybrid Work from Home Program. This position is being posted to fill an existing vacancy.

What You Will Do 

• Manage the day-to-day Health & Safety function and implement priorities aligned with organizational objectives, operational requirements and identified health and safety risks.
• Provide strategic input and recommendations on health and safety strategy, priorities and improvement opportunities, and translate approved direction into operational plans and initiatives.
• Act as a strategic partner to Senior Leadership, Field Operations and other departmental stakeholders by providing technical and operational health and safety expertise, advice and guidance on the implementation and continuous improvement of the HSEMS.
• Lead proactive loss prevention and control programs across multiple sites, working with leaders and employees to identify hazards, reduce the risk of workplace injury, illness and property loss, and strengthen preventative safety practices.
• Partner with leaders to integrate health and safety requirements into operations, projects, work practices and organizational initiatives, and provide guidance on complex or significant health and safety matters.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through visible field presence, coaching, employee engagement, safety communications and awareness initiatives.
• Manage the implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the HSEMS, including related policies, programs, procedures, documentation and reporting requirements.
• Manage key health and safety assurance activities, including audits, workplace and field inspections, hazard assessments and significant incident investigations; monitor findings and corrective actions and work with leaders to address identified risks and deficiencies.
• Maintain a strong presence within operational and field environments to understand work practices and emerging risks, and provide coaching and guidance on safe work practices, hazard controls, procedures and the application of HSEMS requirements.
• Lead or provide guidance on significant workplace incident investigations, including root cause analysis and the identification and completion of appropriate corrective and preventative actions.
• Monitor health and safety performance, incidents, audit findings and emerging risks; identify trends and recommend improvements to programs, practices and controls.
• Manage health and safety training requirements and annual priorities to support legislative obligations, operational needs and identified workplace risks.
• Educate, coach and support leaders and supervisors in understanding their health and safety responsibilities and reinforce the effective functioning of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS).
• Work collaboratively with and provide guidance to the Joint Health & Safety Committee in fulfilling its role and responsibilities.
• Monitor changes to applicable occupational health and safety legislation, regulations, standards and industry practices; assess potential impacts and recommend changes to policies, programs and practices, as required.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies, industry associations and external health and safety organizations, as required, and coordinate health and safety reporting and regulatory documentation.
• Lead or coordinate employee and public safety initiatives and liaise with external agencies and community or industry partners, as required.
• Contribute health and safety expertise to emergency preparedness, emergency response, business continuity and recovery planning, and carry out assigned responsibilities under the organization's emergency plans.
• Provide direction, coaching and support to Health & Safety staff, establish work priorities and monitor the delivery of health and safety programs and initiatives.
• Lead the coordination, execution, and submission of the annual ESA Regulation 22/04 Audit, managing cross-functional timelines between Engineering, Operations, and Senior Management to ensure compliance.

What We Are Looking For

• Post-secondary degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Safety Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Sciences, or a related field
• Professional designation is preferred (e.g., Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP), or Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) or Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Utility Safety Administrator (CUSA)
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive health and safety experience, including experience leading health and safety programs and initiatives in an operational or safety-sensitive environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (OHSMS), including implementation, auditing and continuous improvement.
• Experience with hazard identification and risk assessment, incident investigation, loss prevention, regulatory compliance and health and safety auditing.
• Experience providing health and safety advice and guidance to operational leaders and senior management.
• Experience leading, coaching or providing direction to health and safety professionals.
• Experience in the electricity, utility, construction or similarly regulated operational environment is considered an asset.
• Experience in a unionized utility environment is an asset
• Valid Ontario Class G Driver’s Licence with a clean driver’s abstract

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

• Strong knowledge of Health, Safety and Environmental Management Systems (HSEMS)
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and related regulations
• Knowledge of the Electrical Utility Safety Rules, Utility Work Protection Code and generally accepted electrical utility sector safety policies, best practices, and standards
• Strong knowledge of the COR® program and all required training
• Asbestos Management knowledge and/or certifications and training
• Ability to influence, coach and support leaders and employees in strengthening health and safety practices and accountability.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify trends, assess risk and recommend appropriate actions.
• Excellent communication skills, with demonstrated strength in facilitation and presentations.
• Effective interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate with employees, operational leaders, senior management, regulators and external partners.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement when responding to complex, sensitive or significant health and safety matters.
• Flexibility to work outside regular business hours and attend operational or field locations when required, including in support of emergency situations.