| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Environment, Health and Safety |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | Plant Head |
| Direct reports | Safety Officer, Safety Engineer, Safety Supervisor |
| Experience | 6 to 10 years in occupational safety |
Safety Manager job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Safety Manager
Department: Environment, Health and Safety
Reports to: Plant Head
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Safety Manager leads occupational safety at a plant or site, protecting workers from injury through systems, engagement and discipline. They own risk assessment, safe systems of work, safety training, inspections and incident investigation. The role reports to the Plant Head or Head of EHS. A good safety manager drives injuries down through practical controls and a strong safety culture, keeps the site inspection ready, closes hazards fast, and makes safe working the normal way people do their jobs.
Key responsibilities
- Own the site's occupational safety management system and safety standards.
- Lead risk assessments and job safety analysis for hazardous operations.
- Manage permit to work, lockout and safe systems of work across the site.
- Drive safety training, induction and toolbox talks for workers and contractors.
- Run safety inspections and audits and drive closure of unsafe conditions.
- Investigate injuries and near misses and implement corrective actions.
- Track safety metrics and report performance to leadership each month.
- Lead behaviour based safety and engagement to build a safety culture.
- Ensure machine guarding, personal protective equipment and safe practices on the floor.
- Coordinate emergency preparedness and mock drills for safety scenarios.
Requirements
- Engineering degree with Advanced Diploma in Industrial Safety
- NEBOSH or IOSH is an advantage
- Experience in plant or construction safety
- 6 to 10 years in occupational safety
KRAs and KPIs for a Safety Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Injury rate | Lost time and recordable injuries kept within the site target each year |
| Hazard closure | Unsafe conditions from inspections closed within the agreed time |
| Training | Safety training and induction coverage meeting the site target |
| Permit compliance | Permit to work and safe systems followed with no critical violation |
| Near miss reporting | Near miss reporting meeting the target as a leading indicator |
| Drills | Safety mock drills conducted to plan with gaps closed |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Safety management software, Risk assessment tools, Permit to work system, Inspection checklists, Incident systems.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Safety Manager, EHS Manager, Head of EHS
Interview questions for a Safety Manager
- How do you carry out a job safety analysis for a high risk task?
- How do you get workers to follow safe practice, not just the rules on paper?
- How do you manage contractor safety on a busy site?
- How do you investigate a serious injury and prevent recurrence?
- How do you use leading indicators like near misses to improve safety?
- Tell me about a safety improvement you drove and its results.
Managing a Safety Manager in ZeniaHR
Hire and manage your environment, health and safety team in one place
Post the role, onboard the new hire, and track attendance, leave and KRAs in ZeniaHR. Free for your first 50 employees.
Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does a safety manager do?
A safety manager leads occupational safety at a plant or site, protecting workers from injury. They own risk assessment, permit to work, safety training, inspections and incident investigation. They drive injuries down through practical controls and a strong safety culture, keep the site inspection ready, and make safe working the normal way people do their jobs.
What qualifications do you need to be a safety manager?
Most safety managers hold an engineering degree with an Advanced Diploma in Industrial Safety, and NEBOSH or IOSH certification is an advantage. Employers look for experience in plant or construction safety, skill in risk assessment, permit to work and incident investigation, and the ability to lead a team and build a safety culture.
What is the difference between a safety manager and a safety officer?
A safety manager leads the whole safety function at a site, setting systems, standards and driving culture, and manages safety officers. A safety officer works on the ground, doing inspections, permits, toolbox talks and enforcing safe practice on the shop floor or site. The officer executes, while the manager leads and owns performance.