Position Overview
The Safety Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive workplace safety program for a fast-paced manufacturing and fabrication environment. This position will provide hands-on leadership to ensure compliance with OSHA and applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations while promoting a proactive, prevention-focused safety culture throughout the organization.
The Safety Manager will work closely with plant leadership, supervisors, HR, maintenance, quality, and production employees to identify workplace hazards, reduce incidents, improve safety practices, and ensure employees receive the training and resources necessary to perform their jobs safely.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve company safety policies, procedures, programs, and training.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and applicable federal, state, and local safety requirements.
- Conduct routine facility inspections, job hazard analyses (JHAs/JSAs), risk assessments, and safety audits.
- Identify unsafe conditions and behaviors and work with management to implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Maintain OSHA-required documentation, including OSHA 300, 300A, and 301 records, as applicable.
- Lead investigations of workplace injuries, near misses, property damage, and safety incidents and perform root-cause analysis.
- Develop corrective action plans and track actions through completion.
- Manage safety programs associated with manufacturing operations, including:
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
- Machine guarding
- Welding and hot work
- Forklift and powered industrial trucks
- Electrical safety
- Hazard Communication / SDS
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Fall protection
- Respiratory protection, where applicable
- Emergency response and evacuation
- Material handling and ergonomics
- Conduct new-hire safety orientation and ongoing employee safety training.
- Develop and maintain training records and ensure required certifications remain current.
- Conduct regular toolbox talks and safety meetings with employees and supervisors.
- Partner with production and maintenance leadership to ensure machinery and equipment are operated and maintained safely.
- Establish safety expectations for contractors, temporary employees, and visitors.
- Assist management with workers' compensation investigations, return-to-work initiatives, and injury-prevention efforts.
- Analyze incident trends and safety performance data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Develop and track safety KPIs, including incident rates, near misses, training completion, corrective actions, and audit findings.
- Serve as the primary point of contact during OSHA inspections and other safety-related regulatory visits.
- Maintain emergency action plans and coordinate emergency drills.
- Promote employee participation in safety programs and encourage employees to report hazards and near misses.
- Support management in creating a culture where safety, quality, productivity, and accountability work together.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Industrial Safety, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
- 5+ years of safety/EHS experience, preferably within manufacturing, metal fabrication, welding, industrial, or similar operations.
- Strong working knowledge of OSHA General Industry standards (29 CFR 1910).
- Experience conducting incident investigations, root-cause analysis, risk assessments, and corrective actions.
- Experience developing and delivering employee safety training.
- Knowledge of LOTO, machine guarding, hot work, electrical safety, PPE, forklift safety, and Hazard Communication requirements.
- Strong organizational, documentation, communication, and leadership skills.
- Ability to work effectively with employees at all levels, from production-floor personnel to senior management.
- Ability to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor and respond quickly to safety concerns.
Preferred Qualifications
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry certification.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), or similar certification.
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification or instructor credentials.
- Experience with workers' compensation and return-to-work programs.
- Experience supporting OSHA inspections and regulatory audits.
- Experience establishing or improving safety programs within a growing or changing manufacturing organization.
Key Competencies
Safety Leadership | OSHA Compliance | Manufacturing Safety | Incident Investigation | Root-Cause Analysis | Risk Assessment | LOTO | Machine Guarding | Welding & Hot Work Safety | Employee Training | Workers' Compensation | Corrective Actions | Safety Audits | Emergency Response | Continuous Improvement
Success in This Role
The successful Safety Manager will be highly visible on the manufacturing floor and take a proactive, hands-on approach to safety. This individual should be comfortable identifying areas that need improvement, developing practical solutions, holding teams accountable, and working collaboratively with leadership and employees to reduce injuries and create a sustainable safety culture.
The goal of this position is not simply to maintain compliance, but to establish safety as a fundamental part of the organization's day-to-day operations.