The safety officer has a very important role in the workplace, as they are responsible for monitoring the health and safety of the employees.
This job requires the appropriate training and the safety officer must have knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety. The NEBOSH General Certificate or the NEBOSH Construction Certificate is an excellent health and safety officer course as it teaches them the legal framework and their requirements for health and safety within the workforce.
So what does the typical day look like for a safety officer and what are their roles and responsibilities? The follow is a summary of what a Safety Officer is responsible for in the workplace.
Health & Safety Officer Role and Responsibilities
The health and safety officer will have a number of different responsibilities in their role, depending on the particular workplace that they are in. A safety officer who works in a construction workplace will have different roles and knowledge than someone who works in an office setting or a factory.
Health and safety officers specialise in the health and safety of everyone in the workplace. Generally, their job is to provide advice, instruction and information about local occupational health and safety issues. They are also responsible for assisting in the application of health and safety procedures.
A typical safety officer’s job will include factory inspections and reports on the health, safety and environmental aspects of the business. The health and safety officer might also be responsible for co-ordinating training for the workplace and conducting investigations into accidents. They will identify the need for training, organise it and then co-ordinate the training courses around the work schedule so that employees can receive the information they need. Safety officers might also co-ordinate a monthly safety meeting and ensure that the meeting times are set, minutes are kept and supporting documentation is received on time.
The safety officer must ensure that all of the programs and working procedures in the workplace comply with the requirements of local legislation. If not, they are responsible for developing systems which will ensure that all employees comply with any relevant legal safety requirements.
Another important task of the safety officer is to evaluate any incidents to establish causes of accidents and to formulate a plan of action to remove any hazards or correct non-compliant behaviour. They will be trained in how to conduct a risk assessment and determine the root cause of any incidents and accidents in the workplace.
The safety officer might also co-ordinate evacuation exercises so that staff can become familiar with these procedures. They will create a plan for what to do in every emergency, including fire, bomb threat, natural disasters, industrial action, political unrest, fire, explosions and anything else. The officer will ensure that all evacuation routes are clearly marked and that all employees fully understand what they should do in the event of an emergency.
The safety officer has a very important role in the workplace as they are responsible for the creation of the safest environment possible for all employees.