Safety Officer

    Definition

          Safety Officer is a member of Command Staff in a company who monitors and assesses safety hazards or unsafe situations and also develop measures for ensuring personnel safety.

 

The Duties of Safety Officer varies depending on the company, organization, the sector, etc. which are as follows:

1. Inter Department Communication: Advice & suggest safety precautionary measures for each department and between departments.
2. Job Safety Studies: Carry out and advice detailed Job Safety studies/Job Safety Analysis (JSA).
3. 

   Quality of PPE: Regularly interact with “store” and “purchase” department and ensure parameters as per test certificates.
   

4. Safety Inspection: Plant safety inspections to be carried out and analyzed.
5. Investigation: An accident, incident, near miss or dangerous occurrence all have to be properly analyzed and reported.
6. Safety Committee: Advisory and catalyst for safe committee meeting.
7. Motivation: To encourage the worker by conducting some programs life safety slogan, pictures and some other competition.
8. Training: Proper training of workers and their fake certificate must be checked also.
9. Record Keeping: Proper maintenance of records.
10. Liaison: Maintain liaison from outsources / industries.
11. Correct unsafe acts or conditions (i.e., horseplay) through the regular line of authority.
12. Training and carries out drills and exercises on how to manage emergency situations and necessary action in time.
13. Safety Officer maintains awareness of active and developing situations.
14. Ensures there are safety messages in each Incident Action Plan.
15. Participate in planning meetings to identify any health and safety concerns inherent in the operations daily work-plan.
16. Review the Incident Action Plan for safety implications.
17. Conducts investigations of all accidents and near-misses. 

18. Ensure preparation and implementation of Site Safety and Health Plan (SSHP).

19. Inspects the site to ensure it is a hazard-free environment.

20. Conducts toolbox meetings.

21. Safety Officer is part of the project safety council and leads all efforts to enhance safety.

22. Safety Officer reviews, approves and instruct all sub-contractors regarding safety plans.

23. Verifies that injury logs and reports are completed and submitted to related government agencies.

24. Verifies all tools and equipment are adequate and safe for use.

25. Promotes safe working practices at the job site.

26. Enforces safety guidelines.

27. Reports to concerned authorities as requested or mandated by regulations.

28. Conducts job hazard analysis.

29. Establishes safety standards and policies as needed.

30. Watches out for the safety of all workers and works to protect them from entering hazardous situations.

31. Responds to employees’ safety concerns.

32. Coordinates registration and removal of hazardous waste.

33. Serves as the link between state, local agencies and contractors.

34. Receives reports from and responds to orders issued by Department of Labour.

35. Arranges for OSHA mandated testing and/or evaluations of the workplace by external agencies/consultants.

36. Support the development of OHS policies and programs.

37. Advise and instruct workers on various safety-related topics (noise levels, use of machinery etc.).

38. Conduct risk assessment and enforce preventative measures.

39. Review existing policies & measures and update according to legislation. 

40. Initiate and organize OHS training of employees and executives.

41. Inspect premises and the work of personnel to identify issues or non-conformity (e.g. not using protective equipment).

42. Oversee installations, maintenance, disposal of substances etc.

43. Stop any unsafe acts or processes that seem dangerous or unhealthy.

44. Record and investigate incidents to determine causes and handle worker’s compensation claims.

45. Prepare reports on occurrences and provide statistical information to upper management.

46. Carry out PTW Monitoring and review.

 

Authority of Safety Officer

As per Sec 40(B) of The Factories Act, 1948.

 

(1) Every factory, 1st.   Wherein, one thousand or more workers are ordinarily employed, 

 

or

 

2st.   Wherein, in the opinion of the State Government, any manufacturing process is carried, which process or involves any risk of bodily injury, poisoning or disease, or any other hazard to health, to the persons employed in the factory,

 

the occupier shall, if so, required by the State Government by notification in the Official Gazette, employ such number of Safety Officers as may be specified in that notification.

(2) The duties, qualifications and conditions of service of Safety Officer shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government.