Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Safety Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about creating a safe and healthy work environment? This role requires a meticulous and driven Safety Coordinator to be the cornerstone of our Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) program. In this critical role, you will be responsible for administering safety policies, conducting training, leading incident investigations, and fostering a proactive safety-first culture across all departments. You will serve as the go-to expert for all safety-related matters, working collaboratively with management and employees to identify risks, implement controls, and ensure our operations meet and exceed all local, state, and federal safety regulations. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on the well-being of our team and the success of our organization.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Safety Technician or Assistant
Operations Supervisor with a strong safety focus
EHS Intern or recent graduate from a relevant program

Advancement To:

Senior Safety Coordinator or EHS Specialist
Safety Manager or EHS Manager
Regional Safety Director

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Coordinator
Compliance Specialist or Auditor
Risk Management Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive health and safety policies, procedures, and programs in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA standards.
Conduct regular and thorough safety audits, site inspections, and risk assessments to identify potential hazards, unsafe work conditions, and at-risk behaviors.
Lead and document detailed investigations for all workplace incidents, accidents, injuries, and near-misses, applying root cause analysis to determine contributing factors and develop effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
Design, schedule, and deliver engaging and effective safety training for all employees, including new hire orientation, annual refreshers, and specialized topics like lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and hazard communication.
Manage and maintain all EHS documentation, including training records, inspection reports, incident logs, OSHA 300 logs, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Champion and lead the site Safety Committee, facilitating productive meetings, encouraging employee participation, and tracking action items to completion.
Perform Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) for new and existing processes to identify potential risks and recommend appropriate engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Oversee the company's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program, including selection, inventory management, employee training on proper use, and fit-testing.
Develop, review, and update emergency action plans and evacuation procedures, and coordinate and document emergency drills (e.g., fire, tornado, medical).
Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory agency inspections (e.g., OSHA, EPA), accompanying inspectors and coordinating the submission of any required reports or responses.
Proactively promote a positive and proactive safety culture through continuous communication, safety campaigns, and recognition programs.
Analyze safety data and key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and DART rate, preparing and presenting regular reports to senior management.
Review and approve safety plans submitted by contractors and outside vendors to ensure they meet or exceed company safety standards before commencing work on-site.
Coordinate industrial hygiene monitoring and sampling (e.g., noise levels, air quality) to assess employee exposure and ensure a healthy work environment.
Manage the facility's hazardous materials and waste management program, ensuring proper labeling, storage, and disposal in accordance with regulations.

Secondary Functions

Assist the Human Resources department with the management of workers' compensation claims, including initial reporting and return-to-work program coordination.
Support facility management with basic environmental compliance tasks, such as stormwater inspections or waste stream characterization.
Participate in the review and selection of new equipment and machinery to ensure safety standards are integrated from the design phase.
Maintain and stock first aid supplies and automated external defibrillators (AEDs), ensuring they are accessible and in good working order.
Provide guidance and support to departmental managers in the development of department-specific safety procedures and goals.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

In-depth knowledge of OSHA (General Industry 1910 and/or Construction 1926), EPA, and other relevant safety regulations.
Proven experience in incident investigation techniques and root cause analysis methodologies.
Proficiency in conducting safety audits, risk assessments, and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs).
Experience with safety management systems (SMS) and EHS software platforms.
Strong proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for reporting, tracking, and presentations.
First Aid/CPR/AED certification is highly desirable.
Professional certifications such as OSHA 30-Hour, ASP, GSP, or CHST are a significant plus.
Knowledge of industrial hygiene principles and monitoring techniques.

Soft Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences.
Strong interpersonal and influencing skills to build trust and foster a collaborative safety culture without direct authority.
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to identify issues and implement practical solutions.
Confident presentation and training skills, with the ability to engage and educate adult learners.
High level of integrity and professional ethics.
Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's degree or a combination of equivalent education and demonstrated experience in a safety-focused role.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Relevant Fields of Study:

Occupational Health and Safety
Environmental Science
Industrial Hygiene
Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of direct experience in an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) or dedicated Occupational Safety role.

Preferred:

Experience in a manufacturing, construction, logistics, or industrial environment is strongly preferred.
Demonstrable experience leading safety committee meetings and delivering safety training to various employee groups.