Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) Intern – Manufacturing Plant at Barchemy – Donora, Pennsylvania

Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) Intern – Manufacturing Plant

Position Title: Safety, Health & Environmental Intern

Department: EHS / Operations

Reports To: Safety & Environmental Manager

Location: Manufacturing Facility

Duration: Full-Time Internship (12 Weeks)

About Us

We are the industry leader in developing and manufacturing high-quality, better-for-you chocolate and confectionery ingredients for the nutritional bar, bakery, confectionery, and ice cream industries. Our commitment to safety, innovation, and food quality drives our operations and ensures a safe, sustainable work environment for all employees.

Position Summary

The SHE Intern will support safety, health, and environmental initiatives within our chocolate and confectionery ingredient manufacturing facility. This full-time, 12-week internship provides hands-on exposure to OSHA compliance, food manufacturing operations, and environmental stewardship.

A major focus of this internship will be leading the implementation of a comprehensive Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) program, including procedure development, equipment-specific energy control documentation, and employee training. This project is critical to strengthening the safety culture and ensuring compliance with OSHA 1910.147 requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Health

• Lead the implementation of the facility's Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) program, including:
• Conducting equipment assessments to identify energy sources
• Developing or updating equipment-specific LOTO procedures
• Working with maintenance and operations to validate accuracy
• Assisting with equipment labeling and visual standards
• Developing LOTO training materials and delivering employee training sessions
• Tracking training completion and program effectiveness
• Perform safety inspections focusing on machine guarding, chemical handling, PPE, pedestrian safety, and slip/trip hazards.
• Participate in incident and near-miss investigations to assist with root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Support ergonomic assessments in packaging, production, and material handling areas.
• Assist with noise level measurements around mixers, grinders, and pneumatic systems.
• Maintain OSHA documentation, JHAs, and safety training records.

Environmental

• Assist with waste management activities, including chocolate scrap handling, food-grade oils, recycling, and chemical waste.
• Conduct compliance checks for stormwater, wastewater, and chemical storage.
• Support sustainability initiatives related to waste reduction, energy use, and water conservation.
• Track environmental metrics and contribute to monthly environmental reporting.

Continuous Improvement Projects

• LOTO Implementation Project (Primary Internship Project):
• Lead the development, rollout, and documentation of the LOTO program
• Conduct employee engagement sessions to reinforce understanding
• Create visual aids and signage to support compliance
• Present project findings and improvements to site leadership
• Support safety culture initiatives, including safety walks, toolbox talks, and engagement activities.
• Assist with improvements in sanitation, allergen control, and equipment safety.

What This Internship Offers

• Lead a facility-wide Lockout/Tagout implementation project, gaining critical real-world experience with one of OSHA’s most important safety standards.
• Hands-on EHS experience in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to safety program development, environmental compliance, and industrial processes.
• Mentorship from experienced EHS and Operations professionals.
• Opportunity to complete a capstone project with a measurable and lasting plant impact.

To apply, please send your resume and letter of intent to Michael Pool, SHE manager at M.Pool@barchemyllc.com.

Qualifications

Pursuing a degree in:

Occupational Safety & Health

Environmental Science / Environmental Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Food Science (with interest in EHS)

Public Health or related fields

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Comfortable working on a manufacturing floor around food equipment and processes.

Basic understanding of OSHA regulations preferred.

Prior manufacturing or food operations experience is a plus, but not required.

Key Competencies

High attention to detail

Strong problem-solving skills

Ability to communicate effectively with operations and maintenance teams

Initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn

Ability to manage projects independently with support from leadership

Physical requirements:

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8–10 hours/day)

Ability to climb stairs, ladders, or work platforms to access equipment and elevated work areas.

Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, or reach as needed

Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 25–35 pounds occasionally

Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures and high noise

Ability to wear required PPE for extended periods