10/28/1997 71083

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND TRAINING SPECIALIST

DEFINITION:

This is professional work providing technical assistance and training to employers in the development of workplace safety committees as described in PA Act 44 and in implementing the provisions of the Pennsylvania Worker and Community Right-to-Know Act (PA Act 159) and Executive Order, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (SARA Title III), Hazardous Material Emergency Planning and Response Act (PA Act 165), and PA One Call (PA Act 187).

An employee in this class is responsible for the implementation of training, outreach information, and technical assistance programs for various industries and/or the public sector to provide clarification regarding the rights of employees, and the policies, procedures, and regulations encompassing the Right-to-Know Act on hazardous chemicals in the workplace and community and other workplace safety laws. Work includes initiating and maintaining contacts with public and private employers, workers, community groups, and emergency response organizations through  telephone contact and training presentations to provide information and answer inquiries. Work involves continuous research and analysis to plan, prepare, present, evaluate, and revise industry specific and/or public sector instructional courses and materials including instructional schedules, lesson plans course outlines, and methods of presentation. Work includes providing technical assistance to employers in developing and revising workplace safety educational plans and establishing and operating safety committees that meet accredited standards. Employees may make recommendations regarding employers' internal policies and procedures to ensure applicable workplace safety legal and procedural requirements are met and provide information on how other state and federal laws may apply to workplace safety. Employees also conduct on-site physical surveys in order to identify problems and recommend corrective action for meeting workplace safety compliance standards. Employees in this class also develop and present a variety of public information and educational resource materials. Employees have responsibility for decisions outside the office and for the technical soundness of information, advice, and recommendations given. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative superior and is evaluated for overall effectiveness of program goals and appropriateness of actions through observation, discussions, reports, and attainment of goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Plans, organizes, and implements industry specific and/or public sector statewide training and outreach information programs to meet the Department of Labor and Industry's responsibility for implementing the safety and training provisions of the Pennsylvania Worker and Community Right-to-Know Act, SARA Title III, Act 165, and PA Act 187.

Provides guidance to employers in developing workplace safety committees to meet accreditation standards and comply with workplace safety legal and regulatory requirements.

Conducts needs assessments to determine educational/training needs for organizations, a particular industry or an entire sector through the use of questionnaires/surveys, personal interviews, observations, various documents and/or group discussions or public forums.

Determines and writes learning objectives.

Develops, conducts, and evaluates training presentations and courses to educate employers on workplace safety compliance requirements.

Provide information to workers and citizens on hazardous materials at the workplace.

Develops, conducts, and evaluates training presentations and courses to educate workers and citizens on their rights and to positively influence attitudes towards adherence of safety practices in the workplace.

Develops instructional materials including lesson plans, course outlines, scripts for slide and video presentations, transparencies, and booklets on the provisions of the applicable workplace safety laws and the industry specific information supplied on material safety data sheets.

Evaluates training programs requested and conducted by employers in order to plan for and revise existing programs.

Schedules and conducts classes and workshops for public and private employers, workers, community groups, and emergency response organizations throughout the Commonwealth.

Provides technical assistance to employers of various sectors and industries by interpreting applicable policies and procedures and aspects of the laws, explaining compliance requirements, and making recommendations for the development or improvement of workplace safety committees and training plans. Recommends appropriate internal workplace safety policies and procedures.

Conducts on-site physical surveys in order to identify problems and recommend corrective action for meeting compliance requirements.

Initiates and maintains contacts with employers, workers, community groups, emergency response organizations, and representatives from local state, and federal agencies in efforts to coordinate the implementation of the applicable laws.

Assists with the public information outreach program by developing safety related informational materials such as pamphlets, videos, slide sets, posters, newsletters and other resource materials which will aid the employee, employer, and community in better understanding workplace safety laws. Provides information on materials available through other sources.

Develops pre and post tests for use by employers and training instructors to determine the impact of training programs on employee behavior related to the use of hazardous materials in the workplace.

Conducts research and maintains contacts with industry representatives and representatives of regulatory agencies to identify safety related issues applicable to specific industries due to the frequent revisions of federal and state laws.

Develops and utilizes ad hoc committees such as employer and trade association representatives, to better assess the needs of the worker, employer, and community for training concerning safety hazards in the workplace and community.

Assists in developing and reviewing requests for proposals for educational/training material.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of basic techniques for developing instructional presentations and materials for use in educational or informational programs.

Knowledge of adult learning theories and curriculum development.

Knowledge of the methods and techniques of disseminating information to the public through classroom instruction and lectures.

Knowledge of the techniques involved in preparing and displaying educational visual aids.

Knowledge of procedures and techniques used in conducting on-site physical surveys to identify safety violations or problems and recommend corrective action for meeting safety compliance standards.

Ability to obtain information through interview or investigation and develop sound conclusions and recommendations to reduce or eliminate losses or injury as a result of unsafe conditions.

Ability to prepare lesson or presentation plans, including effective use of visual aids, and to present material to classes or the public through classroom instruction and lectures.

Ability to apply the principles and techniques of an effective education program to present information to the public through classroom instruction and lectures.

Ability to develop effective training programs.

Ability to gather information for dissemination to the public through personal interviews and reviews of records, correspondence, and legal, statistical, and technical documents.

Ability to plan, coordinate, and conduct effective meetings and forums and lead discussions of relevant issues.

Ability to objectively evaluate information and to make clear and concise factual reports, orally and in writing.

Ability to read and learn to interpret provisions of work place safety laws as they apply to educational and informational requirements, as well as, providing technical assistance and training on their administration and implementation.

Ability to read and learn to interpret basic information on Material Safety Data Sheets, other chemical documents and product labels in order to provide effective training to employers, instructors, and employees and/or resolve compliance problems.

Ability to learn of and explain federal and state occupational health/safety and environmental regulations and their relationships to the applicable statutory requirements.

Ability to learn to recognize, evaluate, and make recommendations to correct violations of applicable laws in the workplace and community.

Ability to learn the proper working conditions and precautions under which employers utilize various hazardous chemicals and apply this information in the development and/or revision of employee training programs in the workplace.

Ability to learn those functions of local, state, and federal governments necessary in coordinating the educational activities of the applicable laws with other state and federal agencies and local governments.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, community agencies, employers, workers, and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Two years of experience in planning and conducting public information, training, or educational programs in industry, government or schools; and a bachelor degree with major course work in education, communications, public relations, or a closely related field;

                                                                                                                                                  or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.