Principal Specialist - Process Safety

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.​

SUMMARY

Westlake makes chemical and plastic products, which in turn make life better for people every day. We are a quality manufacturer and dependable global supplier of petrochemicals, plastics and building products. Our mission is to serve our clients by enhancing daily life through the products and services we provide.

This position provides key leadership in the continuous improvement of Westlake Vinyl’s Process Safety Management and Risk Management Plan (PSM and RMP) program.  This includes ownership in the development and implementation of goals, standards, and expectations for the PSM and RMP program.  The PSM and RMP program will henceforth be referred to in this document as the PSM program

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as the lead for Westlake Vinyl’s PSM program and serves as the plant expert on PSM/RMP regulations and related issues.
• Works with corporate Health, Safety & Environmental to develop and implement goals, standards, policies, and expectations regarding the company’s PSM program.  This includes developing measurable metrics, monitoring the metrics and regular reporting to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintains a working knowledge of the PSM/RMP regulations and interpretations.
• Requires strong computer skills and capability to learn new software systems.  As such, this position will maintain and continue to develop the electronic MOC and Procedure systems.
• Provides direct oversight and quality assurance while managing the day to day activities associated the Process Hazards Analysis (PHA) process and manages the PHA action plans to closure.
• Maintains files to demonstrate compliance with all regulatory requirements (inspections, procedures, checklists, etc.)
• Conducts regular internal audits of PSM program elements, and analyzes the data for program improvements. 
• Provides annual reporting of API PSE data to the employees and resident contractors.
• Assists in accident, injury, near-miss, and unsafe conditions investigations.  Utilizes the corporate approved RCA methods to determine the root causes of incidents and produces the required reports.
• Assume duties of other department members as needed during sickness, vacation, and other absences.
• Provide emergency on call HSE coverage for the complex.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.
• Fully support Company goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels including reviewing area of responsibility for improvement opportunities to initiate projects or communicate ideas to management as well as active participation on project teams
• This position may be required to drive company vehicles from time to time.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

·       Bachelor’s degree required, Occupational Health, Occupational Safety and Health, Chemical/Process Engineering, or related field preferred.

·       Greater than 15 years of progressive process safety/HSE/engineering experience, including substantial leadership and cross-site or corporate-level responsibilities.

·       Must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.

·       Process Hazard Analysis and Safety Instrumented Systems experience preferred.

·       Apollo RCA experience preferred.

·       Good oral and written communication skills

·       Strong computer software skills required with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the ability to learn and master new software products.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.  Employee may be required to use stairs/elevators and have the ability to occasionally work at elevated heights.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Additionally, this position must take general decisions requiring judgement and perform activities requiring sustained concentration.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office.  Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, FRC (flame retardant clothing) etc.  May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators.  Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.