Job Summary:

The Safety Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring the health, safety, and compliance of all drivers. This role focuses on reducing accidents, mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing the transportation and logistics industry. The Safety Specialist will develop, implement, and maintain safety programs, provide safety training, monitor daily operations, and investigate incidents to prevent recurrence.

Responsibilities:

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure the company’s safety practices meet or exceed all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.

Assist in ensuring that all drivers hold valid commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and are compliant with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.

Keep up to date with changes to DOT regulations and ensure timely compliance.

Driver Safety Training and Education

Develop and conduct regular safety training sessions for drivers and staff (e.g., defensive driving, cargo securement, accident avoidance).

Provide new driver orientation on safety practices, company policies, and DOT regulations.

Monitor driver performance and offer corrective action, re-training, or additional safety education as necessary.

Incident Investigation and Reporting

Investigate accidents, near-misses, and safety incidents to determine root causes and develop strategies to prevent recurrence.

Prepare detailed reports on safety incidents and accidents for management review and regulatory reporting.

Recommend corrective actions based on investigation findings and monitor follow-through.

Safety Audits and Inspections

Conduct routine safety audits and vehicle inspections to ensure compliance with maintenance and safety standards.

Assess operational procedures, driver behavior, and equipment to identify potential risks.

Ensure that safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and safety cones, are properly maintained and accessible.

Driver Monitoring and Evaluation

Regularly review driver performance through data from telematics, dashcams, and other safety monitoring systems.

Track and report on safety performance metrics, including accident rates, driver violations, and training completion.

Collaboration and Communication

Work closely with drivers, dispatchers, fleet managers, and maintenance teams to ensure safe operations.

Serve as a point of contact for safety-related concerns and issues raised by drivers and other employees.

Safety Culture Promotion

Foster a strong safety culture by promoting safety initiatives and encouraging open communication about safety concerns.

Organize safety-related events or meetings to engage employees and raise awareness.

Celebrate and reward safety milestones, such as accident-free periods or safety achievements.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience:

Knowledge of driver monitoring systems (e.g., ELDs, camera systems).

Transportation industry knowledge and experience

CDL desired

Skills:

Capacity to multitask and handle high levels of stress

Attention to detail

Strong interpersonal & communication skills, compliance, implementation, and auditing skills

Goal orientated, self-managing with time & project consideration