Construction Safety Lead

Visium Resources has been asked to identify qualified candidates for this Construction Safety Lead - Pharmaceutical Capital Projects position. This position is a direct hire opportunity which is expected to be on-site in Kankakee, IL.

Summary

The client project team is looking to source an experienced Construction Safety Manager. The Construction Safety Manager will be a fully on site position that supports all aspect of the project execution, with a focus on Design, Construction, and Future Operation Safety

Construction Safety Lead - Roles & Responsibilities:

The Construction Safety Lead is responsible for ensuring that all construction activities within a major biopharmaceutical facility capital project are executed in compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations, industry best practices, and company policies. This role plays a critical part in protecting workers, contractors, and the surrounding environment by enforcing safety protocols, mitigating risks, and fostering a strong safety culture throughout the construction phase.

Key Responsibilities of the Construction Safety Lead

1. Safety Strategy & Compliance Oversight

• Develop and implement the construction safety plan, ensuring alignment with local, national, and international safety regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ISO 45001, and corporate EHS policies).
• Ensure that all construction activities comply with Good Construction Practices (GCP), permit-to-work systems, and site-specific safety standards.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, auditors, and safety inspectors.

2. Risk Assessment & Hazard Management

• Conduct safety risk assessments (e.g., Job Hazard Analysis, Hazard and Operability Studies - HAZOP, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - FMEA) for all construction activities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate potential safety hazards, such as working at heights, confined spaces, hazardous materials, and heavy equipment operations.
• Establish and enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Energy Isolation procedures to prevent accidents during construction.

3. Contractor Safety Management

• Review and approve contractor EHS plans, training programs, and risk mitigation strategies before site mobilization.
• Conduct contractor safety orientations to ensure all workers understand site-specific safety protocols.
• Monitor contractor compliance through regular inspections, audits, and safety performance tracking.
• Enforce penalties or stop-work orders for non-compliance with safety policies.

4. Site Safety Inspections & Audits

• Conduct daily, weekly, and random safety inspections of the construction site to identify and correct unsafe conditions.
• Lead safety audits and work closely with project leadership to implement corrective actions.
• Ensure that all safety incidents, near misses, and violations are reported, investigated, and addressed through root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).

5. Emergency Preparedness & Incident Response

• Develop and implement emergency response plans for fire, chemical spills, structural failures, and medical emergencies.
• Conduct emergency drills and coordinate with site security, medical teams, and local emergency responders.
• Ensure proper documentation and reporting of all incidents, including OSHA recordkeeping and company-specific reporting requirements.

6. Safety Training & Culture Development

• Develop and deliver safety training programs for construction workers, supervisors, and project managers.
• Promote a zero-incident safety culture by leading toolbox talks, safety stand-downs, and awareness campaigns.
• Encourage proactive reporting of hazards and implement worker feedback mechanisms to improve site safety.

7. Environmental & Occupational Health Oversight

• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, including waste disposal, air quality, water management, and hazardous material handling.
• Implement industrial hygiene programs to monitor noise, air quality, and exposure to hazardous substances.
• Work with the broader EHS team to integrate construction safety with overall site environmental and health policies.

8. Project Handover & Safety Lessons Learned

• Ensure that as-built safety documentation, risk assessments, and incident reports are compiled for project closeout.
• Conduct post-construction safety reviews to evaluate lessons learned and apply improvements for future projects.
• Support the transition from construction safety protocols to operational safety procedures as the facility moves into commissioning and startup phases.

Ideal Candidate Background

Industries

Strong preference for candidates from:

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Biotechnology
• Life sciences

Experience

• 10+ years EHS experience
• 5+ years construction safety leadership
• Capital project experience exceeding $25M
• Contractor safety management
• Incident investigation and root cause analysis
• Permit-to-work administration
• Fall protection programs
• Emergency response planning

Certifications

Required or strongly preferred:

• OSHA 30 Construction
• OSHA 500 or 510
• CHST (Construction Health & Safety Technician)
• CSP (Certified Safety Professional)
• ASP (Associate Safety Professional)
• First Aid / CPR

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Safety Engineering, Environmental Health & Safety, or Engineering.