Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hazard Manager

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about creating a safe and secure work environment? This role requires a proactive and detail-oriented Hazard Manager to join our team and champion our safety-first culture. In this pivotal role, you will be the primary driver for identifying potential risks, developing robust mitigation strategies, and ensuring our operations comply with all safety and environmental regulations. You will serve as a key advisor to senior leadership, using your expertise to embed best-in-class safety practices into every facet of our business. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact, protect our most valuable asset—our people—and contribute directly to our operational excellence and long-term success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) Specialist
Safety Coordinator or Engineer
Industrial Hygienist
Environmental Compliance Specialist

Advancement To:

Director of EHS / Head of Safety
VP of Risk Management or Compliance
Chief Safety Officer
Regional or Global EHS Manager

Lateral Moves:

Operations Manager
Quality Assurance Manager
Corporate Sustainability Manager
Senior Compliance Officer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously refine the corporate Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) management systems to align with frameworks like ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.
Conduct comprehensive and systematic risk assessments, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and process hazard analyses (PHAs) for all new and existing operations to proactively identify and control potential risks.
Lead all aspects of incident investigation, from initial response to in-depth root cause analysis (RCA), ensuring the development and implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to prevent recurrence.
Design, deliver, and track engaging safety training programs for all levels of the organization, covering topics such as hazard communication, lockout/tagout, emergency response, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Act as the primary liaison during regulatory inspections and inquiries from agencies such as OSHA, EPA, and state/local authorities, ensuring all documentation is current and compliant.
Manage and oversee the industrial hygiene program, including monitoring for chemical exposures, noise levels, and ergonomic stressors, and implementing controls to protect employee health.
Develop and maintain the site's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and lead emergency response drills and exercises to ensure preparedness for potential incidents.
Champion a proactive, behavior-based safety culture by engaging with employees on the floor, facilitating safety committee meetings, and promoting a "see something, say something" mentality.
Analyze safety metrics, incident data, and audit findings to identify trends, measure performance against key performance indicators (KPIs), and present actionable insights to senior management.
Oversee the management of hazardous materials and waste, ensuring proper labeling, storage, and disposal in accordance with RCRA and other relevant regulations.
Conduct regular, thorough EHS audits and inspections of facilities, equipment, and work practices to verify compliance and identify areas for immediate improvement.
Review and approve new chemicals, equipment, and construction projects from a safety and environmental perspective, integrating "Safety by Design" principles early in the process.
Manage the workers' compensation claims process in partnership with Human Resources, focusing on proactive case management and facilitating a safe and timely return-to-work program.
Develop and maintain all required EHS documentation, including regulatory permits, safety data sheets (SDS), training records, and inspection reports.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program, ensuring proper selection, fit-testing, and employee training for all required PPE.
Stay current with evolving EHS regulations and industry best practices to ensure the organization's programs remain compliant and effective.
Drive contractor safety management by pre-qualifying contractors, conducting orientations, and monitoring their on-site activities to ensure they meet company safety standards.
Prepare and submit all required environmental and safety reports to federal, state, and local agencies accurately and on time.
Lead ergonomic assessments and implement solutions to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in both office and industrial environments.
Mentor and develop junior EHS staff and members of the safety committee, building EHS competency throughout the organization.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc safety audits and assist with due diligence for potential mergers and acquisitions.
Contribute to the organization's corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability initiatives by providing data and expertise on environmental impact.
Collaborate with engineering and procurement teams to review new equipment and processes for potential hazards before purchase and implementation.
Participate in cross-functional project teams to integrate safety-by-design principles into new capital projects and facility expansions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of federal and state regulations, including OSHA, EPA, DOT, and NFPA standards.
EHS Management Systems: Proficiency in implementing and auditing management systems like ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety) and ISO 14001 (Environmental).
Incident Investigation & RCA: Mastery of Root Cause Analysis methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, TapRooT®) to drive effective corrective actions.
Risk Assessment Methodologies: Expertise in conducting Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), and other formal risk assessment techniques.
Industrial Hygiene: Practical knowledge of monitoring and controlling workplace exposures, including chemical, physical (noise, radiation), and biological hazards.
Emergency Response Planning: Ability to develop, implement, and lead emergency action plans and crisis management protocols.
Safety Auditing & Inspection: Skilled in performing systematic EHS compliance audits and generating actionable reports.
Ergonomics: Competency in performing ergonomic risk assessments and implementing engineering and administrative controls.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to analyze EHS data, track KPIs, and communicate trends and performance using EHS software and tools like Microsoft Excel/Power BI.
Hazardous Waste Management: Strong understanding of RCRA regulations for the management and disposal of hazardous waste.
Process Safety Management (PSM): Experience with OSHA's PSM standard, particularly for facilities with highly hazardous chemicals.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Influence: Ability to inspire change and drive a safety culture without direct authority, influencing stakeholders at all levels.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical information to diverse audiences.
Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Adept at identifying the root of a problem and developing creative, practical, and effective solutions.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to documentation, compliance, and incident investigation.
Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple EHS initiatives, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
Training & Mentoring: Ability to develop and deliver compelling training content and coach others to improve their safety performance.
Resilience & Composure: Capable of managing stressful situations, such as incident response, with a calm and decisive demeanor.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field.
Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Occupational Health & Safety
Environmental Science or Engineering
Risk Management
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7-12 years of progressive experience in an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) role, with at least 3-5 years in a management or leadership capacity.

Preferred:

Experience in a high-risk industry such as heavy manufacturing, construction, chemical processing, or oil and gas.
Proven track record of developing and implementing successful EHS programs from the ground up.
Demonstrable experience leading cultural change and significantly improving safety metrics (e.g., TRIR, DART).
Experience managing multi-site EHS programs.