Much to your surprise, you have suddenly become the new plant safety person. And on top of that, you have little or no background in safety! Unfortunately with downsizing/right-sizing and budget cuts, this kind of move has become increasingly common at the plant level, despite the importance of EHS to the operation.
Instead of thinking you were in the wrong place at the right time, think of this as an opportunity—as actually being in the right place at the right time. Rather than feeling overwhelmed with your new job title and associated tasks, you can start working your way towards becoming a well-informed, knowledgeable safety person by following some simple steps.