SAFETY SPECIALIST

About Blue Whale Materials

Blue Whale Materials is an American recycling company producing a source of domestic critical minerals from battery material. We are building lithium-ion battery recycling facilities producing a high-quality black mass containing cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium in the first stage of a closed-loop solution for lithium-ion battery manufacturers. Blue Whale Materials has established its first recycling plant in Bartlesville, OK. As we grow, we are seeking talented and motivated candidates to join our team. Compensation is based on experience.

Position Overview

The Safety Specialist is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Environmental, Health & Safety programs at Blue Whale Materials battery recycling facility. This role ensures that all operations comply with applicable regulatory requirements while fostering a proactive safety culture on the plant floor. The ideal candidate brings hands-on EHS experience in an industrial or chemical processing environment, the technical knowledge to manage hazardous materials safely, and the interpersonal skills to drive safety ownership at every level of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Program Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain site-level safety programs, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Hazard Communication (HazCom), Confined Space Entry, Hot Work, and PPE programs.
• Conduct regular site inspections and walkthroughs to identify hazards, document findings, and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Lead incident investigations (near-misses, first aids, recordables) using root-cause analysis methodologies; track corrective actions and verify effectiveness.
• Maintain OSHA 300/300A logs and ensure timely recording and reporting of all recordable incidents.
• Develop and update Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and Safe Work Procedures in collaboration with supervisors and operators.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure site compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, DOT, and state/local EHS regulations governing battery recycling and chemical processing operations.
• Manage hazardous waste programs in accordance with RCRA requirements, including proper labeling, storage, manifesting, and disposal.
• Coordinate DOT hazardous materials shipping compliance for all regulated outbound material, including black mass and ancillary waste streams.
• Support environmental permits (air, water, stormwater) and assist with required reporting and recordkeeping.
• Prepare for and facilitate regulatory inspections; maintain a state of continuous audit readiness.

Training & Safety Culture

• Develop and deliver safety training programs for new hire onboarding and ongoing workforce development, ensuring all personnel are trained to applicable standards.
• Facilitate toolbox talks, shift safety briefings, and hands-on demonstrations to reinforce safe behaviors at the point of work.
• Champion a zero-incident safety culture by building trust with front-line employees, encouraging near-miss reporting, and recognizing safe behaviors.
• Coordinate and document all required EHS training activities; maintain training records and track completion against compliance schedules.
• Partner with Operations leadership to integrate safety into daily production routines and pre-shift planning.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Develop and maintain the site Emergency Action Plan (EAP), including evacuation routes, assembly points, and emergency contact protocols.
• Coordinate with local emergency responders (fire, HAZMAT) to ensure mutual understanding of site hazards and response procedures.
• Conduct periodic emergency drills (fire, spill, evacuation) and evaluate response effectiveness; identify and close gaps.
• Manage spill response procedures and maintain adequate spill containment and response equipment inventory.
• Serve as the site point of contact for safety-related incidents during normal operations and after-hours emergencies.

Industrial Hygiene & PPE

• Conduct or coordinate industrial hygiene monitoring (air sampling, noise surveys, exposure assessments) relevant to battery recycling processes and chemical hazards.
• Manage the site PPE program, including hazard assessments, selection, fit-testing, inspection, and replacement protocols.
• Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals on site; ensure HazCom compliance and chemical inventory accuracy.
• Monitor and control exposure to battery-specific hazards including heavy metals (cobalt, nickel, lithium), electrolyte solvents, and thermal runaway byproducts.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering on engineering controls and process changes to reduce hazard exposure at the source.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Support Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams in integrating EHS requirements into daily workflows and capital projects.
• Participate in cross-functional project teams to review new processes, equipment, and materials for safety implications prior to introduction.
• Contribute to BWMs safety metrics reporting and communicate safety performance to Operations leadership on a regular cadence.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in EHS program maturity and recommend initiatives aligned with company growth.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field; OR equivalent combination of education and hands-on industrial experience.
• 2-3+ years of EHS experience in a manufacturing, chemical processing, recycling, or industrial facility.
• Working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry) standards and applicable EPA/DOT regulations.
• Demonstrated experience managing hazardous materials or hazardous waste in a production environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to train and influence employees at all levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams) for documentation, reporting, and communication.

Preferred:

• Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or OSHA 30-hour certification.
• Experience with battery manufacturing, lithium-ion battery recycling, or electrochemical processes.
• Familiarity with RCRA hazardous waste management, SPCC plans, and Tier II reporting.
• Experience conducting industrial hygiene sampling and interpreting exposure data.
• Background in lean manufacturing or 5S and integrating safety into continuous improvement programs.