Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow.  Our business sectors, Materials, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

Asahi Kasei is a long-trusted supplier of lithium-ion battery separators – polymer-based microporous membranes that are a key component of the lithium batteries used to power electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, and more. We are currently seeking applications to fill the following job opening at Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada, where we are in the process of constructing a new lithium battery separator manufacturing facility to support increasing North American demand.

Company:

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada Corporation

Job Description:

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada Corporation (AKBSCA) is seeking an Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist to be a part of a new greenfield start-up based in Port Colborne, Ontario. The Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist plays a key role in supporting the integrity, efficiency, and compliance of the EHS function. This position will work with the EHS Manager by assisting in the development and maintenance of environmental, health and safety programs, contribute to ongoing process improvements, and collaborate with leadership to help meet EHS objectives for AKBSCA. This is a new position for AKBSCA.

This position directly reports to the Environmental, Health & Safety Manager.

• Sincerity – Being sincere with everyone.
• Challenge – Boldly taking challenges, continuously seeking change.
• Creativity – Creating new value through unity and synergy.

• Support implementation of EHS procedures, standards, and training programs to reduce risk and ensure compliance with regulatory and corporate requirements.
• Maintain strong visibility in the facility through routine walk-throughs, inspections, safety observations, and employee engagement.
• Coach personnel on safety skills, behaviors, and practices that strengthen a Zero Harm culture.
• Monitor, measure, and communicate EHS performance and trends; identify improvement opportunities and support corrective actions.
• Participate in incident investigations, support root-cause analysis, and ensure corrective actions are completed and tracked for effectiveness.
• Perform, facilitate, or assist with hazard and risk assessments, including job hazard analyses and ergonomic/MSD assessments.
• Conduct pre-startup safety reviews (PSSRs) for new or modified equipment.
• Support safety programs including PPE, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, confined space, working at heights, hot work, and other critical safety processes.
• Assist in environmental compliance activities related to MECP, ECCC, CCOHS, OHSA, and MLITSD, including waste management, hazardous materials, wastewater, stormwater, spill response, and air emissions.
• Develop and deliver EHS training, toolbox talks, communication materials, and employee engagement activities.
• Organize, maintain, and control EHS records, documentation, permits, inspection logs, training files, and compliance reports.
• Support the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC), including inspections, documentation, and follow-up actions.
• Assist with development and improvement of the EHS Management System, including tracking responsibilities and action items.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, HR, and contractors to ensure safe work planning and execution.
• Support contractor safety activities including orientations, site inspections, and compliance monitoring.
• Maintain awareness of regulatory requirements and changes affecting safety and environmental compliance at the facility.

Key Skills and Abilities:

• Must be proactive, self-motivated, customer-focused, and solution-oriented. 
• Ability to foster and maintain relationships with employees at all levels within the organization. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with the ability to influence and support leaders. 
• Comfortable developing and executing plans, promoting ideas, and implementing initiatives. 
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion. 
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment. 

Education Background:

•  Minimum post-secondary education in health, safety, environment, engineering or related field

Knowledge & Experience: 

• Plus 3+ years of experience in Health, Safety and Environment, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) or Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) Certification is preferred.

Expected Compensation:

• Salary based position with a range of $85,000.00 to $100,000.00 based on education and experience.

Travel:

• Must hold a valid Passport and be willing to travel up to 10% internationally for training and visiting other company locations, predominately the United States of America and Japan.

Schedule:

• Full-time 100% in-person position.
• Typical work hours are Monday to Friday, with flexibility to address urgent issues as needed 24/7. Attendance at meetings and trainings on off shifts may also be required periodically.

This position will be based in a temporary office at Niagara College in Welland Ontario, Canada, until the permanent office is built in 2026. The final work environment will be at a 24/7 manufacturing operation. This position is in support of manufacturing and requires working in a production environment around chemicals. The manufacturing facility will be a state of the art in terms of automation and being temperature and humidity controlled.  This will be a clean and comfortable environment due to the nature of the products being produced.

Asahi Kasei is a pioneer in battery technology and a long-trusted supplier of lithium battery separators, which are polymer-based microporous membranes that are key components of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) used in consumer electronics and electric vehicles.

Asahi Kasei is accelerating its next phase of global growth with proactive investment and capacity expansion in battery separators to meet increasing demand for electric vehicle applications with Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada Corporation in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. AKBSCA will further build our LIB separator infrastructure for automotive applications to meet growing demand in North America where significant expansion of electric vehicle production is forecasted. 

The company’s Hipore™ brand of separators has been commercially available since the lithium battery market’s inception in the early 1990s, and they are found primarily in electric drive vehicles (EDVs) as well as in consumer electronics (CE) such as smartphones, tablets and personal computers. Hipore™ membrane separators bring high porosity and excellent energy transfer, while contributing to battery safety and reliability, and they are especially well matched for the high-capacity batteries required for power plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full battery (BEV) vehicles. 

The Asahi Kasei Group is a diversified group of companies led by holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the material, homes, and health care business sectors. With more than 49,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries. We are Creating for Tomorrow!

For more information, go to www.ak-bsc.ca.

Port Colborne, Ontario is a charming harbour town situated in the Niagara Region on the coast of Lake Erie. It offers a safe, small-town lifestyle with access to beach waterfront, affordable housing, easy commuting and one of the world’s largest canal locks, Lock 8 of the Welland Canal. The town is a 60-minute drive to Hamilton, ON, 2 hour drive to Toronto, and 45-minute drive to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport in Buffalo, NY, USA. AKBSCA is located on the Welland-Port Colborne border.

The Niagara Region is made up of 12 municipalities and has a population of approximately 478,000. It is an international trade hub with industries ranging from agriculture, construction, manufacturing, technology, tourism. It is strategically positioned at the center of North America’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) and battery supply chain. Home to Brock University, Niagara College Canada, and the University of Niagara Falls, as well as public and private schools, the area offers a selection of concentrations. Recreational attractions include Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, world class wineries and dining, sporting and entertainment venues for concerts and festivals. Other amenities include the Niagara Health System, farmer’s markets, ample parks, trails and outdoor activities.

Besides being Canada's main economic hub, the province of Ontario is also known for its natural diversity, including vast forests, beautiful provincial parks, and home to Canada’s Capital, Ottawa Ontario.

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from qualified women, men, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities.  

We are committed to providing accommodations throughout the interview process for needs that are made known in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If accommodation is required in the application process, please contact AKBSCA Human Resources at [email protected].

• #LI-TR1

As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. Asahi Kasei believes that its diverse workforce strengthens the company’s ability to adapt and thrive in a changing world .