Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Safety Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Safety Supervisor is responsible for developing, implementing and continuously improving safety programs across one or multiple distribution center locations. This role ensures compliance with OSHA, DOT, and corporate EHS policies through proactive hazard identification, training, incident investigation, and engagement with front-line employees and leadership. The ideal candidate combines hands-on warehouse experience, formal safety knowledge, and strong coaching skills to reduce injuries, control risks, and support operational productivity.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / Lead
Safety Coordinator / Safety Technician
EHS Specialist or Environmental Health Technician

Advancement To:

EHS Manager / Regional Safety Manager
Warehouse Operations Manager
Director of Safety or Head of EHS

Lateral Moves:

Quality Manager
Continuous Improvement / Process Improvement Lead
Training & Development Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead day-to-day warehouse safety operations by enforcing company and regulatory safety policies (OSHA 29 CFR 1910, DOT, local/state codes), ensuring all staff understand and follow safe work procedures.
Develop, deliver and maintain consistent safety training programs for warehouse personnel, including new hire safety orientation, annual refresher training, forklift/powered industrial truck operator certification, PPE use, and lockout/tagout procedures.
Conduct regular, documented site safety inspections and floorwalks to identify hazards, unsafe behaviors and environmental risks; prepare written inspection reports with prioritized corrective actions and target dates.
Investigate all workplace incidents, near misses and property damages using root cause analysis techniques; prepare detailed investigation reports, recommend corrective actions, and track completion to prevent recurrence.
Maintain and analyze safety metrics (TRIR, DART, LTIR, near-miss rates, safety observation rates) and produce weekly/monthly dashboards and executive summaries to drive continuous improvement.
Manage the injury reporting and workers’ compensation process by coordinating with HR and claims administrators, arranging medical care, tracking modified duty assignments, and supporting return-to-work plans.
Implement and sustain behavior-based safety and observation programs to increase employee engagement, drive safety culture and reduce unsafe acts.
Oversee the forklift, pallet jack, reach truck and other powered industrial truck safety programs, including operator qualification, requalification, and equipment maintenance coordination.
Develop and enforce permit-required confined space, LOTO (lockout/tagout), and hot work programs where applicable; coordinate training and compliance verifications with maintenance and operations teams.
Coordinate hazardous materials (HAZMAT) handling, storage and shipping compliance, including GHS/SDG/MSDS management, labeling and training for employees handling chemicals.
Plan, lead and evaluate emergency response and evacuation drills (fire, active shooter, power loss, chemical spill) and revise emergency action plans based on drill outcomes and risk assessments.
Audit contractor safety programs and jobsite practices before and during work; require and verify contractor orientation, documentation, and insurance for on-premises contractors.
Manage safety equipment and PPE inventories, ensure availability, enforce proper PPE use, and support procurement decisions based on risk assessments and budget constraints.
Partner with operations leadership to conduct risk assessments for new processes, equipment installations or layout changes; provide design-for-safety recommendations to minimize ergonomic and mechanical hazards.
Coach, mentor and hold hourly supervisors and leads accountable for safety performance through regular 1:1s, safety scorecards and corrective action plans.
Lead the site safety committee(s), prepare agendas, facilitate meetings and ensure follow-through on action items that enhance workplace safety.
Ensure regulatory recordkeeping and reporting compliance (OSHA 300/300A logs, incident reports, DOT spills, state-specific reporting) and support external audits and inspections from regulatory agencies and customers.
Drive continuous improvement projects to reduce slips/trips/falls, manual material handling injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders through engineering controls, process changes and training.
Maintain and improve the site’s safety management system (SMP/EMS/EHS software), ensuring all incidents, observations, training records and permits are current and auditable.
Collaborate with HR and operations on hiring criteria and onboarding to incorporate safety aptitude and job-fit screening into recruiting workflows.
Provide guidance and oversight during peak season or special operations (inventory, expansions, promotions) to ensure safety standards are not compromised under increased throughput.
Monitor and report on corrective action status, verify effectiveness of implemented countermeasures and update risk registers with residual risk assessments.

Secondary Functions

Support cross-functional projects (IT, engineering, facilities) to integrate safety requirements into capital projects, automation rollouts and layout redesigns.
Prepare and present safety performance, trends and cost-of-risk analysis to senior leadership, bargaining units and customers as requested.
Coordinate with supply chain partners and carriers to ensure inbound/outbound safety compliance and incident readiness for transport of hazardous goods.
Oversee the calibration and inspection schedule for safety critical equipment (fall protection, gas monitors, fire extinguishers) and maintain associated documentation.
Participate in procurement decisions for safety-related capital and operational expenditures, evaluating ROI for engineering controls vs. administrative controls.
Assist with restoration of operations after incidents by coordinating cleanup, root cause correction, and communication to employees and stakeholders.
Contribute to corporate safety program development by sharing site best practices, pilot test results and lessons learned with other facilities and the central EHS team.
Assist in workforce scheduling to ensure coverage for safety responsibilities during all shifts, including weekends and overtime periods when required.
Facilitate vendor and customer safety orientations when external personnel are on-site for audits, training, or collaborative projects.
Maintain and archive training, inspection and incident records in accordance with company retention policy and legal/regulatory requirements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910/1926) and experience applying them in a high-volume warehouse/distribution environment.
Experience with incident investigation methodologies and root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa).
Certified forklift/PIT program administration and operator evaluation experience.
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) program development and compliance enforcement.
Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) handling and DOT/HAZMAT shipping compliance knowledge; GHS/MSDS familiarity.
Ability to conduct job hazard analyses (JHAs), risk assessments and ergonomics assessments to reduce manual handling injuries.
Audit and inspection skills — internal safety audits, third-party audits, and regulatory inspection preparation.
Proficiency in safety management systems and EHS software (e.g., Avetta, Intelex, SAP EHS, VelocityEHS) and experience maintaining electronic training and incident records.
Data analysis and reporting skills — familiarity with Excel (pivot tables, vlookups), basic Power BI or dashboarding for safety metrics.
First Aid/CPR and AED certifications; experience coordinating occupational health interactions and return-to-work processes.
Knowledge of behavior-based safety programs and experience implementing observation and corrective action tracking.
Experience with emergency response planning (ERPs), fire protection standards, and conducting evacuation drills.

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills — able to present safety metrics and influence audiences from floor employees to executives.
Leadership and coaching skills — proven ability to train, mentor and hold supervisors and associates accountable.
Critical thinking and problem-solving — prioritize hazards and design practical, sustainable controls.
Attention to detail — thorough documentation and follow-through on corrective actions and compliance tasks.
Relationship-building and stakeholder management — collaborate effectively with operations, HR, maintenance and external agencies.
Conflict resolution and influence — navigate behavioral change without direct authority over all staff.
Time management and organization — manage multiple audits, trainings and incident investigations concurrently.
Continuous improvement mindset — drive measurable reductions in injuries and near misses through data-driven projects.
Adaptability — manage safety during high-volume, fast-paced peak seasons and changing operational demands.
Instructional ability — effective at adult learning techniques, creating engaging toolbox talks and hands-on training.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED plus relevant safety certifications (OSHA 30-Hour, Forklift Train-the-Trainer, First Aid/CPR).

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, or a related field.
Additional professional credentials preferred: CSP (Certified Safety Professional), ASP, CHST, or NEBOSH.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Occupational Safety & Health
Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
Industrial / Mechanical Engineering
Logistics, Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3 to 7 years of combined warehouse, distribution or manufacturing experience with at least 2 years in a safety-specific or supervisory role.

Preferred:

5+ years of progressive EHS experience in warehouses/distribution centers with proven track record of reducing injury rates, leading safety initiatives, conducting investigations, and managing safety programs across multiple shifts.
Demonstrated experience interacting with regulatory agencies, conducting OSHA-level compliance work, and administering contractor safety programs.

Certifications commonly expected or preferred include OSHA 30-Hour, Forklift/PIT Trainer Certification, First Aid/CPR/AED, and professional safety credentials (CSP, CHST, NEBOSH).