What does a Safety Manager do?
Safety Managers generally work on job sites like construction areas, manufacturing plants and warehouses to monitor safety practices and respond to incidents. The role of a Safety Manager is to act as a resource for coworkers about how to uphold regulatory safety standards and complete tasks while limiting risk of bodily injury. Safety Managers share knowledge with their team by conducting training and creating informational materials that they post around the workplace.
Safety Managers also handle administrative aspects of workplace safety like applying for permits, purchasing safety equipment and investing in designs that limit risk. They confirm that all of their employees have the appropriate certifications to operate heavy machinery and set standards for testing and maintenance to prevent dangerous malfunctions.
Safety Manager skills and qualifications
Safety Managers need a mix of skills and qualifications to succeed, including:
- A bachelor’s degree in environmental health and safety or a related field
- In-depth knowledge of OSHA and EPA standards
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to lead and teach a team
- Great attention to detail
- Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to explain technical concepts in simple terms
- Excellent organizational skills
Safety Manager salary expectations
A Safety Manager makes an average of $75,215 per year. Salary may depend on level of experience, education and the geographical location.
Safety Manager education and training requirements
Safety Managers need to at least hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental safety or a similar field. This education should include courses or training in managing hazardous materials and some business management courses to provide the organization and leadership skills they will need on the job. While no certifications are required, some are available, such as the Construction Health and Safety Technician, Certified Safety Manager and others. Many of these can be specialized to particular industries, such as construction or manufacturing.
Safety Manager experience requirements
Most positions require three to five years of experience in a safety role in the same field. If that experience is not in a management or leadership position, they should have additional years of experience or additional qualifications that demonstrate their ability to oversee safety protocols and lead training sessions. Safety Managers from a different field may require additional experience.
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