| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Environment, Health and Safety |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Safety Manager |
| Direct reports | Safety Supervisor, Safety Steward |
| Experience | 2 to 5 years as a site safety officer |
Safety Officer 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 Officer
Department: Environment, Health and Safety
Reports to: Safety Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Safety Officer enforces safety on the shop floor or construction site, day in and day out. They inspect the site, issue and check permits, run toolbox talks, enforce protective equipment, and stop unsafe work. The role reports to the Safety Manager or project manager. A good safety officer is a visible presence who catches hazards before they cause harm, keeps permits and safe practice tight, builds worker trust so hazards get reported, and keeps the site ready for inspection at any time.
Key responsibilities
- Inspect the site and work areas daily and raise unsafe conditions for action.
- Issue and verify permits to work and check controls before hazardous jobs.
- Conduct toolbox talks and safety briefings for workers and contractors.
- Enforce use of personal protective equipment and safe work practices.
- Stop unsafe work and escalate serious hazards to the safety manager.
- Monitor high risk activities such as work at height, hot work and confined space.
- Support incident and near miss reporting and initial investigation.
- Check firefighting, first aid and emergency arrangements in the area.
- Maintain safety records, permits and inspection reports in good order.
- Promote hazard reporting and safe behaviour among the workforce.
Requirements
- Advanced Diploma in Industrial Safety
- Engineering diploma or degree is common
- NEBOSH or IOSH is an advantage
- 2 to 5 years as a site safety officer
KRAs and KPIs for a Safety Officer
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 |
|---|---|
| Site safety | Lost time injuries in the area kept within the target each year |
| Inspections | Daily inspections completed with unsafe conditions closed on time |
| Permit compliance | Permits and controls verified before every high risk job |
| PPE compliance | Protective equipment compliance kept above the site target |
| Near miss reporting | Near miss and hazard reporting meeting the area target |
| Records | Safety records and permits kept complete and audit ready |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Permit to work system, Inspection checklists, Gas detector and safety monitors, Personal protective equipment, Incident reporting forms.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Safety Officer, Safety Engineer, Safety Manager
Interview questions for a Safety Officer
- How do you handle a worker who refuses to wear protective equipment?
- What do you check before signing a work at height permit?
- How do you stop unsafe work without losing the workers' trust?
- How do you run a toolbox talk that workers actually listen to?
- How do you control a confined space or hot work job?
- Tell me about a serious hazard you caught during an inspection.
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What does a safety officer do?
A safety officer enforces safety on the shop floor or construction site. They inspect the site, issue and check permits, run toolbox talks, enforce protective equipment, and stop unsafe work. They monitor high risk activities like work at height and confined space, support incident reporting, and keep the site ready for inspection.
What qualifications do you need to be a safety officer?
Most safety officers hold an Advanced Diploma in Industrial Safety, often with an engineering diploma or degree, and NEBOSH or IOSH is an advantage. In many states this diploma is expected for the statutory safety officer role. Employers look for site safety experience, permit to work knowledge, and the ability to enforce safety firmly but fairly.
What is the difference between a safety officer and a safety supervisor?
A safety officer is a qualified professional responsible for safety across an area or site, including permits, inspections and compliance. A safety supervisor is a shop floor role that supervises safe working during a shift and supports the safety officer. The officer owns the safety of the area, while the supervisor helps enforce it hands on.