Generalist, Health & Safety

 Reference Number : 943 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : 67 859 - 83 826

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 08/16/2025

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

Reporting to the Senior HS manager, the advisor Health and Safety will support the HS team while working on specific mandates related to the implementation of HS programs and action plans. He will promote HS awareness and involvement of employees in the continuous improvement of our safety performance. He will be supporting the elaboration and implementation of the Health & Safety Management System as well as measuring compliance and effectiveness through regulatory observations, inspections and audits. He will provide support and assist in the control and reduction of safety hazards and conduct investigation of accidents.

Responsibilities:

• Assists in the elaboration and implementation of strategic and operational initiatives to support the Health and Safety strategic plan;
• Ensures ongoing support to operational activities for all matters related to Health and Safety;
• Works in collaboration with the Health and Safety Committees and the unionized workforce in the implementation of departmental processes and practices to ensure compliance with HS laws and regulations and in the continuous improvement of the various workplace safety performance;  
• Identifies and evaluates the Health and Safety hazards;
• Assists in the development and implementation of Hazard Prevention programs in the business units;
• Participates in the development of data sheets on different tasks/tools by identifying risks and solutions;
• Performs data entry in the HS system (e.g. OHS audit, risk analysis, etc.);
• Develop JOB AIDs as needed on different HSE management systems;
• Participates in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the Incident Management Process to ensure compliance, quality and effectiveness in resolving Health and Safety issues;
• Provides assistance to management, Health and Safety Committees and the unionized workforce in the conduct of incident/accident investigations including reporting and documentation;
• Provides support to Business Units utilizing root cause problem solving to prevent incidents and Health and Safety issues;
• Recommends and coordinates the implementation of preventive and corrective measures based on best practices;
• Collaborate on safety  inspections of the workplaces and on-the-job observations of the activities and tasks;
• Provides assistance to management and Health, Safety and Environment Committees in the performance of such inspections and observations;
• Reports results along with conclusions and recommendations to senior management and Health, Safety and Environment Committees;
• Suggest the priority of the actions based on risk;
• Follow-up with the different teams to validate if certain reports have been entered into the system (e.g. inspections, OHS committee);
• Works in collaboration with the Learning and Development subject matter experts and the Communications team to develop safety and environmental technical training material;
• Educates employees on the Safety Management System, procedures, practices and precautions;
• Supports the development and implementation of the Safety Communication Plan;
• Support the implementation of the communication plan to promote awareness, motivation, and participation of employees.

Requirements: 

• College degree in a specialized area related to occupational health & safety such as Health, Safety and Environmental engineering, industrial hygiene or equivalent in Human Resources or Industrial relations;
• Technical expertise in occupational H&S including industrial hygiene, ergonomics, environmental management, management of hazardous materials, workplace inspection and accident investigation;
• Knowledge and understanding of the Canada Labour Code, provincial health and safety regulations, Workers’ Compensation legislation;
• Excellent oral and written knowledge of both official languages (French and English).

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!