Safety Officer

Responsible for many aspects in a company’s environmental, health and safety department. Take a look at some of the core duties a safety officer tackles on a daily basis:

Enforce Safety Policies
Safety officers are like the law enforcement of an organization. They know safety procedures and requirements and act “by the book” to ensure each one is upheld. If they see misconduct or activities that could result in an accident or penalty, they’re the first ones to speak up.

Conduct Audits and Inspections
It’s hard to talk about environmental, health and safety without the words “audit” or “inspection” entering the conversation. These two components are essential to any EHS strategy, and safety officers are often leading the charge.

Safety officers conduct routine workplace safety inspections to identify potential hazards, along with observing workers to ensure they’re following safety procedures while on the job. In addition, safety officers will perform safety audits per company policy and compliance requirements to keep the safety program on track and avoid potential fines.

Investigate Accidents
When an incident occurs on the job site, whether it’s a major injury or just a minor issue, it must be investigated. Safety officers handle this procedure from start to finish, including figuring out why the incident occurred and what needs to happen to prevent similar accidents in the future. In addition, the safety officer will complete and submit all necessary documents regarding the incident, conduct timely follow up, and communicate with company leaders regarding the accident.

Ensure Compliance
No matter the industry you’re in, you’re responsible for maintaining compliance standards set forth by OSHA and state agencies. The safety officer stays on top of meeting compliance standards, as well as any changes to these standards over time. They fill out the required forms and reports, such as injury logs, and submit them when needed. They make sure all required OSHA posters are visible in your organization and up to date with the latest information. This helps to keep your company in compliance so you can avoid fines and strengthen your safety culture.

Train Employees
One of the biggest parts of the job of a safety officer is providing crucial training to employees on OSHA standards, best practices, and company protocol. Employers are required by OSHA to conduct training on safety topics, and it’s usually the safety officer who provides the training and ensures requirements are met.