Project Overview

Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass is the systems contractor selected by the Department of Defense’s Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program to design, build, systemize, test, operate, and close a facility to destroy the chemical weapons stockpile at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky.

The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) will safely destroy 523 tons of mustard and nerve agent in projectiles and rockets. Neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation is the technology selected by the Department of Defense to destroy the nerve agent, while the Explosive Destruction Technology will be used to destroy the mustard in the Blue Grass chemical weapons stockpile. Candidates for unescorted access to the Chemical Limited Area must successfully clear National Agency Check with Local Check (NACLC). All employees are subject and agree to random drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment. Must be physically fit and able to work safely at an operating plant. Eligible applicants must be a US Citizen and successfully go through a government screening process. Based on project goals and objectives, candidates established within our local community are desirable. 

This is a long-term assignment that will begin on a 4-10s schedule. The work hours are from 6:30 am – 5:00 pm. This position will transfer to a Dupont Schedule which will require additional overtime hours as deemed necessary or as operations dictate. BGCAPP operates on a 24/7 schedule. This position may be required to work a schedule of rotating shifts including nights, weekends or holidays. BGCAPP operates on a 24/7 schedule. This position may be required to work a schedule of rotating shifts including nights, weekends or holidays. The ability to obtain/maintain access to the Blue Grass Army Depot is required. 

Position Summary

The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) is looking for a Senior Safety Representative/Safety Lead at the Richmond, KY Site location. This position receives technical and administrative supervision from the Project S&H Manager, the Project IH manager or the Project S&H Supervisor. 

The Senior Safety Representative/Safety Lead (SSR/SL) performs a combination of duties necessary to achieve an accident-free environment and ensure compliance with all Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and Department of the Army (DA) safety regulations. 

The SSR/SL will routinely enter the Chemical Exclusion Area (UPA) to perform safety compliance inspections; develop guides and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, and develop informal training, job aids, or other programs and processes as required to ensure that employees are knowledgeable and trained in all safety policies or programs. The SSR/SL conducts formal investigations of all accidents and near misses to identify the cause and interim and long-term solutions; determines appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all hazardous environments and has been delegated the authority to stop any work, including the shutdown of the plant for safety-related concerns. The SSR/SL serves as the primary project subject matter expert (SME) and resource on issues related to occupational safety and may function in a supervisory role for Plant Shift Safety & Health Specialist/Representative (PSSHS). The SSR/SL must be able to independently apply advanced technical knowledge to solve unusually complex problems that typically cannot be solved by following daily procedures and demonstrate the ability to work with people of varied backgrounds and a wide range of processes and equipment. The SSR/SL must also be able to apply knowledge of regulations as they relate to a chemical or industrial process environment.    

Working Conditions

The SSR/SL works in a chemical plant in proximity to toxic chemical munitions and may enter an area containing toxic chemicals or chemical munitions. The individual and supervisor assure that the degree of risk is reduced to the lowest level achievable. Must be able to acknowledge and respond to flashing lights and sirens and be able to don a protective mask and evacuate up to 2 miles in an expeditious manner. The PSSHS is required to work a schedule of rotating eight, or twelve-hour (nominally) shifts, including weekends and holidays.  

Principle responsibilities include, but are not limited to

Performs a combination of more complex duties requiring responsibility for overseeing field safety activities for an assigned shift at the operating facility in support of both internal Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass(BPBG) and external (Government) customers and in compliance with all federal, state, and local safety laws, rules, and regulations. Duties are designed to ensure that all operations and facilities are in safe operating condition, and comply with all applicable regulations.  Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Verifying limiting conditions of operations (LCOs). Approving plant deviations to LCO’s as required. 
• Completing job safety analyses and/or other Permits (i.e. Open Process, Confined Space, Hot Work, etc.) for hazardous operations and communicating this to plant personnel. 
• Performing safety inspections of the physical work site including the Chemical Exclusion Area to identify problems and communicate all findings to management personnel. 
• Conducting formal surveillance of operations including the Chemical Exclusion Area to ensure employees are performing duties in compliance with safety procedures, policies, and practices. Routine access to chemical agents under the two-person rule. 
• Assisting in the development of safety training classes and conducting them. 
• Conducting formal accident or near-miss investigations, identifying causes, mitigating immediate hazards, documenting such incidents in accordance with established policies and procedures, and making recommendations on corrective steps to improve deficiencies. 
• Providing technical support to shift, departmental, and unit safety meetings. 
• Verifying proper decontamination and documentation of all items being removed from a toxic area.  
• Determining PPE for entries into agent toxic areas, and into areas with potential exposure to industrial hazardous materials. 
• Attending all critical activity meetings and providing safety input to the decision-making process. 
• Approves or disapproves activity based on safety considerations.  
• Attending toxic area pre-entry and post-entry meetings to ensure all safety concerns are addressed and that the level of dress is appropriate. 
• Reviewing OSHA and DA regulations, developing plans, procedures, and guidelines, as required to ensure compliance. 
• Escort visitors into all areas of the facility including exclusion areas.
• Performs a combination of administrative duties necessary to assist the Safety & Health  Manager, Safety & Health Supervisor, and plant operations personnel in efficiently completing required safety documentation. 
• Consults with supervisors concerning unusual problems and offer technical advice to assist in resolving them in the safest and most efficient manner. 

Qualifications and Skills

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Safety and Health or related science/engineering from an accredited college or university with 6 years of directly related experience in safety and health OR in lieu of a degree a minimum of 12 years of directly related experience in safety and health.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting accident investigations, OSHA compliance audits and the development or maintenance of safety & health plans and programs, and in conducting S&H health-related training.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain any security clearances required for this position according to Army Regulation 50-6 (Chemical Surety). *  

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge in the field of Occupational Safety Knowledge of S&H procedures, engineering systems, principles, and methodologies.
• Knowledge of industry and regulatory standards and criteria pertinent to S&H.
• Experience in S&H inspections/assessments preferably in a plant operations environment Knowledge of S&H training program materials and methods.
• Knowledge of problem investigation, regulatory and internal audit practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of hazardous materials and physical risk exposures and Personal Protective Equipment standards as well as People-Based Safety processes and procedures.
• Good oral and written communication skills. Proficient in computer applications.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience working with DOD and Army safety and health requirements.
• Knowledge in explosive safety. Possesses professional S&H certification from an accredited organization (i.e. CSP, CIH).
• Chemical demilitarization experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of OSHA regulations and requirements and in the support and maintenance of the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program Star Status.
• Detailed knowledge of OSHA General Industry (29 CFR 1910) requirements and their application in an industrial setting.
• Experience supervising staff, assigning work, and managing employee relations in a multi-faceted, matrixed environment.