A construction safety officer monitors residential, commercial, and industrial construction sites to ensure that they adhere to local and regional safety standards in order to protect workers. She may also conduct training sessions to teach employees and supervisors about safe workplace procedures and how to protect themselves and their surroundings from harm. Her job usually requires her to visit a variety of locations where buildings are being built or renovated on a regular basis. She could work for a construction firm or for a local or regional government agency.
The nature of the work performed at the job sites determines the type of training required for this position. Keeping accurate incident records, preventing accidents, and training employees to incorporate safe practices into their daily work routines are all common topics. Safety equipment operation, ergonomics, safe lifting procedures, and selecting appropriate protective gear and clothing are all common topics for discussion.
A construction safety officer inspects the tools, equipment, and machinery at the sites in addition to lecturing on safety and inspecting the general appearance of construction sites for potential safety hazards. She is generally required to document and report any violations she finds to authorities, as well as to advise the person in charge of the site on how to mitigate the risks. She is frequently authorized to issue a stop-work order if the violation poses an immediate threat. Checking for current certifications on safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and alarms is also a common part of the job.
On a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, the construction safety officer must report to her governing boards. In the meantime, detailed records of worksite conditions are required on a regular basis. If the violations continue, a hearing will be held, and the safety officer will be called to testify about her observations, recommendations, and actions. She is typically called upon to investigate a serious accident or injury on a construction site and report her findings to the appropriate authorities.
A construction safety officer contributes to meetings and seminars aimed at raising awareness and developing new approaches and solutions to improve safety as part of a group of officers that monitor safety and health conditions in other workplace environments. She frequently gives presentations on safe construction site practices to construction industry groups. The safety officer is frequently consulted when an expert opinion on construction site safety is required.
A bachelor’s degree in human resources, industrial management, engineering, safety engineering, or social sciences is usually required for this position. It is desirable to receive additional training in industrial hygiene, ergonomics, and industrial safety. Experience in plant management or safety operations is also advantageous.