Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Health and Safety Officer

🎯 Role Definition

The Health and Safety (H&S) Officer is the cornerstone of a secure and compliant work environment. This role is not just about enforcing rules; it's about championing a proactive safety culture that permeates every level of the organization. As an H&S Officer, you are the trusted advisor, technical expert, and hands-on leader responsible for identifying, evaluating, and controlling workplace hazards. You'll develop and implement robust safety programs, ensure unwavering compliance with all relevant regulations, and empower employees with the knowledge and tools they need to work safely. This position requires a unique blend of technical expertise, sharp analytical skills, and the ability to connect with and influence people, ultimately protecting the organization's most valuable asset: its workforce.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Safety Coordinator or Assistant
Graduate Trainee (Engineering, Environmental Science)
Operations Supervisor with a strong safety focus

Advancement To:

Health and Safety Manager
Regional EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) Director
Corporate Head of Safety or Vice President of EHS

Lateral Moves:

Risk Manager
Compliance Officer or Manager
Environmental Specialist or Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously improve the organization's health and safety policies, procedures, and management systems (e.g., ISO 45001) to ensure they are relevant and effective.
Conduct comprehensive and systematic risk assessments, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and site safety inspections to proactively identify potential hazards in processes, equipment, and work environments.
Design and implement practical and effective control measures to mitigate identified risks, applying the hierarchy of controls from elimination and substitution to engineering and administrative controls.
Lead thorough and objective investigations into all workplace incidents, accidents, and near misses to determine root causes and develop robust corrective and preventive action plans (CAPAs).
Design, develop, and deliver engaging and impactful health and safety training programs for new hires, existing employees, and management, covering topics from emergency procedures to specific job hazards.
Serve as the primary subject matter expert on all applicable local, state, and federal health and safety regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA), ensuring the organization maintains full compliance.
Meticulously maintain all required safety records, including training logs, incident reports, inspection records, and regulatory permits, ensuring they are accurate and readily accessible for audits.
Develop, review, and manage the facility's emergency response plans, coordinating and conducting drills (e.g., fire, evacuation, chemical spill) to ensure workforce preparedness.
Actively promote and cultivate a positive and proactive safety culture through consistent communication, employee engagement initiatives, and visible leadership on the floor.
Provide expert advice and guidance to senior management and departmental leaders on all matters related to occupational health and safety, influencing strategic decisions.
Manage the company's hazardous materials communication program, including the maintenance of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) library and ensuring proper labeling and storage of chemicals.
Perform ergonomic assessments of workstations and manual handling tasks to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and improve employee well-being.
Oversee the contractor safety management program, ensuring that all third-party contractors and vendors working on-site adhere to the company's safety standards and procedures.
Manage the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program, from assessing needs and selecting appropriate equipment to training employees on its proper use, care, and maintenance.
Chair the site's Safety Committee, facilitating productive meetings, encouraging employee participation, and driving follow-up on action items to foster a collaborative safety environment.
Analyze safety data and performance metrics to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement, preparing detailed reports and dashboards for leadership review.
Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for safety, such as Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART), to measure program effectiveness.
Act as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies during inspections, audits, and inquiries, managing communications and ensuring a cooperative and transparent relationship.
Review and provide safety input on the introduction of new equipment, machinery, and production processes to ensure potential hazards are engineered out from the start.
Coordinate industrial hygiene monitoring and sampling (e.g., for noise, air quality, chemical exposure) to assess employee exposure levels and ensure they are within permissible limits.
Support the management of workers' compensation claims by working with HR, insurance carriers, and medical providers to facilitate a smooth and supportive return-to-work process.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover hidden safety trends or risks.
Contribute to the organization's broader ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy and reporting.
Collaborate with engineering and maintenance units to translate safety needs into practical design and process requirements.
Participate in cross-functional team projects, providing the health and safety perspective on operational changes and new initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Expertise: Deep and practical knowledge of federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, as well as EPA and other relevant environmental regulations.
Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis: Proficiency in structured investigation techniques (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram) to move beyond immediate causes and identify systemic failures.
Risk Assessment Methodologies: Expertise in conducting Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), and other formal risk assessment techniques.
Safety Management Systems (SMS): Experience implementing and auditing formal SMS like ISO 45001, including policy development, performance measurement, and management review.
Industrial Hygiene: Foundational understanding of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace exposure to chemical, physical, and biological hazards.
Technical Writing: Ability to write clear, concise, and legally sound policies, procedures, incident reports, and training materials.
Data Analysis and Reporting: Competency in using software (e.g., Excel, safety management platforms) to track safety metrics, analyze trends, and create compelling reports for management.
Emergency Preparedness and Response: Skill in developing and executing emergency action plans, coordinating drills, and managing crisis situations.
Ergonomics: The ability to assess workstations and tasks to identify and mitigate risks for musculoskeletal injuries.

Soft Skills

Influence and Persuasion: The crucial ability to inspire and persuade employees and leaders at all levels to embrace safety, often without direct authority.
Exceptional Communication: Articulate and adaptable communication style, capable of delivering a clear, confident message whether in a toolbox talk, a training session, or a boardroom presentation.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: A sharp, analytical mindset to dissect complex safety issues, evaluate options, and implement effective, practical solutions.
High Attention to Detail: A meticulous and observant nature, essential for spotting subtle hazards during inspections and ensuring accuracy in compliance documentation.
Resilience and Composure: The capacity to remain calm, professional, and decisive when responding to workplace incidents and other high-pressure situations.
Relationship Building: An approachable and collaborative demeanor that builds trust and open lines of communication with employees across all departments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in a relevant field or possession of an advanced professional certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Occupational Health and Safety
Environmental Science
Industrial Engineering
Public Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in a dedicated health and safety role.

Preferred: Experience within a high-risk industry (e.g., manufacturing, construction, logistics, chemicals) and holding or actively pursuing professional certifications such as ASP (Associate Safety Professional), CSP (Certified Safety Professional), or CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist).