Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist Intern

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist Intern 

Location: 3079 3 Mile Rd NW, Walker, MI 49534

Who We Are:

Challenge’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.

Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!

Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who We Want:

We are looking for motivated junior and senior level college students majoring in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related field to support the Environmental Health and Safety team in ensuring a safe working environment within our Walker, Michigan location! 

What You’ll Do:

This internship will be project based.  Below is a real project example of what you would be working on.

Project Assignments:

1. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program Enhancement:
   • Review and update LOTO procedures for robotic welding cells, stamping presses and other high-energy equipment.
   • Assist in conducting risk assessments to identify gaps in current LOTO practices.
   • Develop training materials and assist in hands-on LOTO training sessions for maintenance and production staff.
2. Machine Guarding Compliance and Optimization:
   • Conduct a machine safeguarding audit for robotic welding stations and material handling equipment.
   • Assist in implementing corrective actions for identified deficiencies.
   • Research and recommend improvements to automated safety barriers and interlocks.

1. Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Auditing:
   • Perform facility wide EHS audits, focusing on compliance with OSHA, EPA, and company safety standards.
   • Compile audit reports and track corrective action implementation.
   • Assist in developing a digital tracking system for safety audit findings and resolutions.
2. Ergonomic Risk Assessment and Improvement Initiatives:
   • Conduct ergonomic reviews of welding stations, material handling, and assembly areas.
   • Utilize ergonomic assessment tools to identify high-risk tasks and recommend workstation modifications.
   • Assist in the implementation of ergonomic solutions, such as lifting aids and work area redesigns.
3. Safety Training Development & Delivery:
   • Create and update safety training modules for topics such as fire prevention, PPE usage, and chemical handling.
   • Assist in facilitating safety toolbox talks and training sessions for new hires and existing employees.
   • Develop visual safety guides and infographics for use in the manufacturing facility.
4. Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis Support:
   • Assist in incident investigations related to workplace injuries, near misses, and equipment failures.
   • Document root cause analyses and support the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
   • Develop a safety bulletin summarizing key learnings from incidents.
5. Environmental Compliance and Waste Management Initiatives:
   • Support hazardous waste management efforts, including labeling, storage, and disposal compliance.
   • Assist in air quality monitoring and reporting for welding fumes and other emissions.
   • Research and support sustainability initiatives related to waste reduction and recycling.
6. Other Duties as Assigned:
   • Participate in cross-functional safety meetings and provide input on process improvements.
   • Support data analysis and reporting for safety KPIs (e.g., injury rates, near misses).
   • Assist in emergency preparedness planning and drills.

Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong interest in manufacturing safety and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with employees at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with safety management software is a plus.

When and Where:

This will be a 1st Shift M-F position located at our location in Walker, MI.

What You Need to Have:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong interest in manufacturing safety and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with employees at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with safety management software is a plus.

• Has high standards of performance for self. Takes responsibility for actions, results, and mistakes. Is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work.
• Takes positive action to objectively resolve conflict by listening, staying focused on issue to find resolution, and monitoring progress. Maintains positive relationships by constructively resolving conflicts.
• Uses feedback from others to continuously improve performance and work relationships.
• Moves within own and/or other work areas (flexes) to support plant flow. Works with sense of urgency to meet needs of customers.
• Has necessary experience, skills, and knowledge to perform all aspects of job; rotates through all job responsibilities. Maintains knowledge and skills to perform job effectively.
• Has ability to focus on benefits of change and see it as positive; approaches change or newness in constructive/objective manner; views change as learning opportunity.
• Looks for good in others; works collaboratively with others; shares information and knowledge.
• Updates and relays pertinent information to oncoming shift
• Is at work when scheduled and ensures coverage when absent; takes timely breaks/lunches; uses time wisely.
• Must be able to understand and follow written and verbal workplace instructions
• Strong communication skills
• Strong time management skills
• Able to prioritize tasks

Challenge Manufacturing is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any part of the recruitment process, please contact the respective Talent Acquisition Partner.

Challenge Manufacturing is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. This company will provide equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Information collected regarding categories as provided by law will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.

Challenge Manufacturing will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Challenge Manufacturing's legal duty to furnish information.

Due to customer requirements, it is prohibited by federal export control laws from transferring controlled information and technology to “Foreign Persons” except as specifically authorized by the U.S. government. In the absence of such authorization, access to controlled information or technology must be limited to “U.S. Persons.” Accordingly, in order to comply with export control laws, the customer is required to verify a contractor’s status as being either a “U.S. Person” or a “Foreign Person.”