Role of Safety Officers as Senior,

Middle management and Supervisor

staff in OHS

OSHA
INTRODUCTION

 Occupational health and safety

specialists and technicians, also known
as safety and health practitioners or
occupational health and safety
inspectors, help prevent harm to
workers, property, the environment,
and the general public
Role of Safety Officers

They promote occupational health and

safety within organizations in many
ways, such as
 Advising management on how to
increase worker productivity through
raising morale
 Reducing absenteeism,
Role of Safety Officers conti…

 Reducing equipment downtime

 Securing savings on insurance
premiums,
 Securing savings in workers’
compensation benefits.
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OHS specialists analyze work

environments and design programs to
control, eliminate, and prevent disease or
injury caused by chemical, physical,
radiological, and biological agents or
ergonomic factors that involve the impact
of equipment design on a worker’s comfort
or fatigue
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 They may conduct inspections and inform

the management which areas may not be in
compliance with Government laws or
employer policies,
 They advise management on the cost and
effectiveness of safety and health programs .
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The specific responsibilities of occupational

health and safety specialists and technicians
vary by
 industry,
 workplace,
 types of hazards affecting employees.
Role of Safety Officers conti…

 Occupational health and safety technicians

collect data on work environments for
analysis by occupational health and safety
specialists
 They help implement and evaluate programs
designed to limit risks to workers.
Role of Safety Officers conti…

 They focus on identifying hazardous

conditions and practices.
 They develop methods to predict hazards
from experience, historical data, workplace
analysis, and other information sources.
 They identify potential hazards in systems,
equipment, products, facilities, or processes
planned for use in the future
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For example, they might uncover patterns in

injury data that implicate a specific cause
such as system failure, human error,
incomplete or faulty decision making, or a
weakness in existing policies or practices
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 After reviewing the causes or effects of

hazards, they evaluate the probability and
severity of accidents or exposures to
hazardous materials that may result.
 Then they identify where controls need to be
implemented to reduce or eliminate hazards
and advise if a new program or practice is
required
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 They conduct training sessions for

management, supervisors, and workers on
health and safety practices and regulations
to promote an understanding of a new or
existing process
 After implementation, they may monitor and
evaluate the program’s progress, making
additional suggestions when needed.
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 To ensure the machinery and equipment meet

appropriate safety regulations, Safety officers may
examine and test machinery and equipment, such as
lifting devices, machine guards, or scaffolding.
 They may check that personal protective equipment,
such as masks, respirators, protective eyewear, or
hardhats, is being used in workplaces according to
regulations.
Role of Safety Officers conti…

 They also check that hazardous materials

are stored correctly
 They test and identify work areas for
potential accident and health hazards, such
as toxic vapors and explosive gas-air
mixtures, and help implement appropriate
control measures, such as adjustments to
ventilation systems.
Role of Safety Officers conti…

 Their survey of the workplace might involve

talking with workers and observing their
work, as well as inspecting elements in their
work environment, such as lighting, tools,
and equipment.
 To measure and control hazardous
substances, such as the noise or radiation
levels,
Role of Safety Officers conti…

 They must properly collect and handle

samples of dust, gases, vapors, and other
potentially toxic materials to ensure personal
safety and accurate test results.
 If an injury or illness occurs, they investigate
unsafe working conditions, study possible
causes, and recommend remedial action
Role of Safety Officers conti…

 Frequent communication with management

may be necessary to report on the status of
occupational health and safety programs.
 Consultation with engineers or physicians is
also required
 Role of Safety Officers conti…

 They prepare reports including accident reports,

OSHA record-keeping forms, observations,
analysis of contaminants, and recommendations
for control and correction of hazards.
 They may prepare documents to be used in legal
proceedings and give testimony in court
proceedings.
 Those who develop expertise in certain areas may
develop occupational health and safety systems,
including policies, procedures, and manuals.
IN GENERAL

 Occupational health and safety Officers may

be exposed to many of the same physically
conditions and hazards as industrial
employees, and the work may be performed in
unpleasant, stressful, and dangerous working
conditions. They may find themselves in an
adversarial role if the management of an
organization disagrees with the
recommendations for ensuring a safe working
environment.
GENERALLY

 All occupational health and safety specialists

and technicians should be trained in the
applicable laws or inspection procedures
through some combination of classroom and on-
the-job training is needed.
 Experience as an occupational health and safety
professional is also a prerequisite for many
positions.
GENERALLY

 Most private companies either employ their

own occupational health and safety
personnel or contract with occupational
health and safety professionals to ensure the
safety of their workers and compliance with
government rules on safety and health,.