Organizations across industries frequently employ safety managers in order to ensure that occupational health and safety guidelines are met. While according the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistic the largest concentration of occupational health and safety careers are concentrated in manufacturing, safety managers are also found in construction, transportation, energy, retail, hospitality, and other workplaces.
Safety managers are tasked with carrying out the policies and programs that minimize the risk of accidents and injuries at work. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory environments like OSHA, Cal/OSHA, HIPAA, or Federal DOT as well as the internal guidelines and policies defined by the company. These standards may vary by location and jobsite type.
Reporting is also an important part of a safety manager’s job, as incidents have to be tracked, and in some cases, accidents must be investigated.
Additional job duties often include:
Leading safety training sessions for staff
Conducting or assisting with safety audits
Implementing or managing environmental health and safety programs
Communicating with management on the status of the safety program
Skills that help make safety managers successful include attention to detail and strong communication. A Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) may be required for some positions.