Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Safety Advisor

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the role of a Safety Advisor is to be a champion and guardian of workplace health and safety. This position serves as the subject matter expert and trusted partner for both leadership and employees, dedicated to creating, implementing, and sustaining a culture where safety is paramount. The Safety Advisor proactively identifies and mitigates risks, ensures full compliance with all relevant regulations, and empowers the entire organization to embrace safe work practices. This is a dynamic role that blends on-the-ground coaching with strategic planning, requiring a keen eye for detail, strong communication skills, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the well-being of every individual in the workplace.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Safety Coordinator or Technician
Site Supervisor with a strong safety focus
Skilled Tradesperson with safety committee experience

Advancement To:

Senior Safety Advisor / Safety Manager
Regional EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) Manager
Corporate Director of Health and Safety

Lateral Moves:

Risk Manager or Analyst
Compliance Specialist or Auditor
Quality Assurance Advisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously improve the company's health and safety management systems, policies, and procedures in line with ISO 45001 and other relevant standards.
Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and job hazard analyses (JHAs) for all operational activities, recommending and verifying effective control measures.
Lead and document thorough incident investigations, utilizing root cause analysis (RCA) methodologies to identify systemic failures and prevent recurrence.
Plan, execute, and document regular site safety inspections and audits, tracking all non-conformities and corrective/preventive actions (CAPAs) through to completion.
Serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for all health and safety inquiries from employees, management, and regulatory bodies (e.g., OSHA, HSE).
Design and deliver engaging and impactful health and safety training programs for new hires, existing employees, and management on topics such as emergency procedures, hazard communication, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Maintain meticulous and up-to-date records of all safety-related activities, including training, inspections, incident reports, and workers' compensation claims.
Analyze safety data, metrics, and trends (e.g., TRIR, DART) to identify areas for improvement and prepare detailed performance reports for senior leadership.
Chair and facilitate productive safety committee meetings, fostering a collaborative environment for identifying and resolving safety concerns.
Review and approve contractor safety plans and performance, ensuring that all third-party personnel adhere to company and regulatory safety standards.
Manage the inventory, inspection, and proper usage of all personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety-critical equipment.
Develop, review, and drill emergency response plans, including fire evacuation, medical emergencies, and hazardous material spills.
Provide direct, on-the-ground safety coaching and mentorship to frontline employees and supervisors to reinforce safe work behaviors.
Stay current with all changes to local, state, and federal health and safety legislation and advise management on the potential impact to the organization.
Champion a proactive and positive safety culture through visible leadership, consistent communication, and employee recognition programs.
Coordinate industrial hygiene monitoring and assessments, such as noise surveys, air quality testing, and ergonomic evaluations, to mitigate long-term health risks.
Assist in the development and management of the departmental safety budget, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources.
Oversee the management of hazardous materials, including maintaining the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) library and ensuring proper storage and handling.
Conduct pre-start-up safety reviews for new equipment, processes, or facilities to ensure risks are controlled before operation.
Act as a liaison with external emergency services, regulatory agencies, and insurance providers during and after significant events or inspections.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to investigate emerging safety trends.
Contribute to the organization's broader sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with other business units, such as HR and Operations, to translate safety needs into engineering and procedural requirements.
Participate in sprint planning, project meetings, and other agile ceremonies when involved in cross-functional initiatives.
Contribute articles and tips for internal company newsletters or communication platforms to promote safety awareness.
Represent the company in industry safety forums and professional groups to share and gain best-practice knowledge.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Expertise: Deep and practical knowledge of federal and state occupational health and safety regulations (e.g., OSHA, Cal/OSHA, COSHH).
Risk Assessment Methodologies: Proficiency in conducting Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and other risk evaluation techniques.
Incident Investigation & RCA: Formal training and experience in Root Cause Analysis methods (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa diagrams, TapRooT®).
Safety Management Systems: Experience implementing and auditing OHS management systems based on standards like ISO 45001 or ANSI Z10.
Industrial Hygiene: Foundational knowledge of industrial hygiene principles, including chemical hazards, ergonomics, noise, and radiation.
Emergency Response Planning: Ability to develop and execute comprehensive emergency action plans and coordinate drills.
Training & Presentation: Skill in developing and delivering effective safety training content to diverse audiences.
Technical Writing: Ability to write clear, concise, and defensible policies, procedures, and investigation reports.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Competency in analyzing safety metrics (leading and lagging indicators) and using software like Excel or safety management platforms to create insightful reports.
Audit & Inspection: Formal training or certification in conducting safety audits and inspections.

Soft Skills

Influence & Persuasion: Ability to gain buy-in and inspire change without direct authority, particularly with operational leaders and frontline staff.
Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, capable of tailoring the message to everyone from the shop floor to the boardroom.
Problem-Solving: A pragmatic and analytical approach to identifying problems, evaluating solutions, and implementing effective controls.
Resilience & Composure: The capacity to remain calm, professional, and decisive under pressure, especially during incident response.
Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to build rapport and establish trusting relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to documentation, observation, and compliance verification.
Ethical Conduct: Unwavering integrity and commitment to ethical practice in all safety-related matters.
Adaptability: Flexibility to navigate changing priorities and operational demands in a dynamic environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's degree or a professional safety certification combined with significant relevant experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Occupational Health and Safety
Environmental Science
Industrial Hygiene
Engineering

Experience Requirements

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

Preferred:

Experience in a high-risk industry (e.g., construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, logistics) is highly valued.
Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), NEBOSH, or similar credentials are a significant asset.
Demonstrable track record of reducing incident rates and measurability improving safety culture.