Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Field Safety Officer

🎯 Role Definition

As a Field Safety Officer, you are the front-line champion of our safety culture, the on-site expert dedicated to protecting our most valuable asset—our people. This role is not just about enforcement; it's about empowerment, education, and embedding a proactive safety mindset into every aspect of our field operations. You will be a visible presence on our job sites, responsible for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating hazards to prevent incidents before they happen. By serving as a coach, mentor, and compliance expert, you will ensure that every team member understands their role in maintaining a world-class safety program and returns home safely every day. This is a hands-on, dynamic position that directly impacts the well-being of our workforce and the success of our projects.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Safety Technician or Coordinator
Experienced Construction Foreman or Site Supervisor with a strong safety focus
EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) Intern or recent graduate

Advancement To:

Regional Safety Manager
Corporate EHS Director
Senior Safety Consultant or Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Compliance Manager
Industrial Hygienist
Risk Manager or Loss Control Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Proactively conduct and document comprehensive daily and weekly safety audits, site inspections, and risk assessments on active job sites to identify potential hazards and ensure strict adherence to all local, state, and federal safety regulations (OSHA, EPA, etc.).
Lead and manage thorough investigations for all accidents, incidents, near-misses, and property damage events, determining root causes and developing detailed corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans to mitigate future risks.
Develop and deliver engaging and informative daily toolbox talks, pre-task safety briefings, and weekly all-hands safety meetings, ensuring critical safety information is effectively communicated to all site personnel, including subcontractors.
Meticulously maintain, organize, and update all safety-related documentation, including Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), training records, inspection logs, incident reports, and OSHA 300/300A/301 logs, ensuring they are audit-ready at all times.
Collaborate with project management to develop, implement, and continuously improve site-specific safety plans, emergency action plans, and hazard assessments tailored to the unique risks of each project phase.
Exercise stop-work authority without hesitation when imminent danger or critical safety violations are observed, and work collaboratively with site leadership to resolve issues before resuming operations safely.
Coordinate, schedule, and conduct a variety of safety training programs for new hires and existing employees, covering topics such as Fall Protection, Confined Space Entry, Hazard Communication, and Lockout/Tagout procedures.
Act as the primary on-site point of contact for any regulatory agency inspections (e.g., OSHA), guiding inspectors and providing necessary documentation and context.
Monitor and enforce the correct selection, use, maintenance, and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across all work areas, providing coaching and corrective action as necessary.
Review and approve subcontractor safety plans and pre-qualification documents, ensuring their safety programs meet or exceed company standards before they mobilize to the site.
Champion a behavior-based safety (BBS) program, conducting observations and providing constructive feedback to foster a positive and proactive safety culture among all workers.
Manage the site's hazardous materials program, including maintaining the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) library, ensuring proper labeling, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
Develop and oversee critical life-safety programs such as Fall Protection Plans, Confined Space Entry permits, and Hot Work permits, ensuring 100% compliance.
Serve as the on-site emergency coordinator, leading drills and ensuring all personnel are knowledgeable of emergency evacuation routes and procedures.
Analyze leading and lagging safety indicators and performance metrics to identify trends, report findings to management, and recommend data-driven improvements to the safety program.
Provide expert guidance to project teams on the safe operation of heavy equipment, crane lifts, excavations, and other high-risk activities.
Conduct regular inspections of tools, equipment, and machinery to ensure they are in safe operating condition and removed from service if found defective.
Promote employee wellness and injury prevention initiatives, including ergonomic assessments and stretching programs.
Mentor field supervisors and foremen on their safety responsibilities, empowering them to become effective safety leaders for their crews.
Stay current on amendments to safety regulations and industry best practices, ensuring the company's safety policies and procedures remain compliant and effective.

Secondary Functions

Analyze safety data and incident trends to identify patterns and recommend proactive safety program enhancements.
Contribute to the development and refinement of the corporate Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) management system and long-term safety strategy.
Collaborate with project management, engineering, and procurement teams to integrate safety-by-design principles into project planning and execution.
Participate in project planning meetings and daily huddles to provide real-time safety guidance and ensure HSE considerations are integrated into operational schedules.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep knowledge of OSHA Construction (29 CFR 1926) and/or General Industry (29 CFR 1910) standards.
Proficient in incident investigation and Root Cause Analysis methodologies (5-Why, Fishbone, etc.).
Expertise in developing Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Risk Assessments, and Site-Specific Safety Plans.
Competency in safety auditing, inspection techniques, and formal reporting.
Experience with developing and managing critical safety programs (e.g., Fall Protection, LOTO, Confined Space, Hot Work).
Knowledge of environmental regulations (EPA, DOT) related to hazardous waste and materials.
Ability to develop and deliver effective safety training to diverse audiences.
First Aid/CPR/AED certification and ability to respond to medical emergencies.
Familiarity with industrial hygiene principles, such as noise monitoring and air quality sampling.
Proficiency with safety management software (e.g., Procore, ISNetworld, Avetta, Intelex) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Soft Skills

Influential Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Unwavering Situational Awareness and Attention to Detail
Strong Leadership and Mentoring Abilities
Effective Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
Decisive Problem-Solving under pressure
Adaptability and Flexibility in a fast-paced environment
High level of Personal Integrity and Professionalism
Ability to build rapport and trust with craft workers and management alike
Assertiveness and Courage to enforce safety standards

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by professional safety certifications (e.g., OSHA 30-Hour, CHST, ASP).

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Safety Management, Environmental Science, or a related technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Occupational Safety and Health
Construction Management
Environmental Science
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7+ years of dedicated professional safety experience directly in the field (e.g., construction, manufacturing, oil & gas).

Preferred:

Professional certification such as Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Certified Safety Professional (CSP) is highly desirable.
Verifiable experience managing safety on large-scale projects and a proven track record of reducing incident rates.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills are a significant plus.