WHAT DOES A HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER DO?

Published: Oct 28, 2025 - The Health and Safety Manager develops, implements, and oversees health, safety, and fire policies across the organization to ensure compliance with ISO standards and legal requirements. This role involves leading audits, risk assessments, and training initiatives, while coordinating safety programs and supporting regional teams in maintaining high safety performance. The Manager also manages departmental budgets, chairs safety meetings, investigates incidents, and reports compliance outcomes to executive leadership.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Health and Safety Manager

1. Health and Safety Manager Overview

  • HOP Model Promotion: Promote the understanding and application of the HOP (Human and Organizational Performance) model.
  • Risk Control: Use the model to help build capacity to fail safely and control risks.
  • Employee Engagement: Engage the hearts and minds of employees to work safely.
  • Compliance Support: Support and develop CSOs (Compliance System Owners).
  • Hazard Management: Support operations and maintenance personnel who manage critical hazards.
  • Team Accountability: Facilitate H&S ownership and accountability by the team.
  • Training Management: Ensure annual and new hire training is conducted for all employees.
  • Process Safety: Assist the site population in building the Process Safety Management system.
  • Change Management: Ensure change is identified and proactively and effectively managed.
  • Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement by leveraging tools and activities.
  • H&S Communication: Communicate the facility's H&S vision, strategies, and performance to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Risk Mitigation: Develop and manage programs in risk mitigation projects.

2. Health and Safety Manager Job Description

  • Risk Assessment: Ensure each risk assessment has a relevant safe system of work that is suitable and sufficient.
  • Training Management: Maintain an "on-the-job" training and refresher training matrix for relevant operational functions for auditing purposes.
  • Assessment Review: Review current risk assessments for suitability and sufficiency, liaising with key stakeholders to identify any missing assessments and ensure they are written.
  • Incident Management: Ensure all near-miss incidents and accidents are recorded and investigated.
  • SHE Leadership: Lead and chair relevant SHE meetings with key stakeholders.
  • Document Control: Manage the filing system and version control of all SHE documents held on internal systems.
  • ISO Compliance: Provide ISO 45001 administration support and ensure compliance.
  • Safety Inspection: Undertake monthly H&S inspections for each building.

3. Health and Safety Manager Functions

  • Leadership Modeling: Act as a role model for leadership behaviors, the business core values, and the code of conduct.
  • Process Improvement: Lead and drive process improvements and compliance.
  • Operational Efficiency: Ensure all work is carried out most practically and cost-effectively.
  • Safety Culture: Drive Health & Safety culture within the division and the wider business.
  • Planning Management: Manage the planning process with the Sales Team to ensure that work is scheduled and carried out most effectively.
  • Project Management: Manage a portfolio of high-end projects or lead on major single sites.
  • Team Leadership: Manage a team of Health and Safety Advisors.
  • Operational Support: Take a hands-on and operational approach to ensure the Health and Safety culture is enhanced from the site level and up.
  • KPI Reporting: Support the Head of Safety in reporting KPIs and statistics to the board.
  • Stakeholder Liaison: Liaise with key stakeholders to ensure an outstanding Health and Safety culture.

4. Health and Safety Manager Accountabilities

  • Audit Management: Carry out monthly audits and close out any findings.
  • Inspection Reporting: Complete monthly workplace inspection reports.
  • Incident Recording: Take responsibility for recording and closing out all incidents and near misses on the intranet.
  • Fire Safety: Ensure weekly fire checks and drills are carried out.
  • Risk Assessment: Create and review all risk assessments for the Warrington site.
  • Statutory Compliance: Ensure all statutory examinations are carried out before or on the due date.
  • PPE Management: Ensure all employees have the correct Personal Protective Equipment in place and have been trained in its use.
  • Emergency Planning: Ensure the emergency plan and disaster recovery plan are reviewed regularly and updated on demand.
  • Meeting Coordination: Chair and minute all Warrington site H&S meetings.
  • Hazardous Substance Control: Ensure hazardous substance assessments are in place for all chemicals used.
  • Training Compliance: Ensure all employees have received the correct Health & Safety training.
  • Safety Communication: Ensure all safety bulletins are communicated to staff and the actions are completed before the due date.
  • Inspection Scheduling: Ensure all H&S inspections are carried out on or before the due date.

5. Health and Safety Manager Job Summary

  • Policy Improvement: Review, implement, monitor, and continuously improve health and safety policies, procedures, and training programs.
  • Risk Assessment: Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify workplace hazards.
  • Work System Development: Develop and document Safe Systems of Work to ensure consistent safety practices.
  • Performance Monitoring: Establish clear methods for monitoring health and safety performance.
  • Reporting Systems: Implement structured health and safety reporting systems to track compliance and incidents.
  • Continuous Improvement: Develop a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) focused on enhancing safety culture and operational efficiency.
  • Governance Integration: Incorporate corporate health and safety governance into all planning and review processes.
  • Employee Engagement: Encourage employee participation in safety initiatives and improvement efforts.
  • Safety Training: Provide regular safety training and refreshers to maintain awareness and competence.
  • Incident Reporting: Ensure all accidents and incidents are promptly reported, recorded, and investigated.
  • Data Analysis: Analyze incident data to identify root causes and preventive measures.
  • Program Evaluation: Regularly review the effectiveness of all safety programs and implement improvements.

6. Health and Safety Manager Responsibilities

  • Policy Definition: Define global Health & Safety policy and ensure adherence to specific local legislations and procedures.
  • Risk Coordination: Coordinate risk prevention with external partners and guarantee compliance with company guidelines and local legislation.
  • Service Leadership: Organize and lead the risk prevention service in alignment with the company’s Health & Safety policy and legislative requirements.
  • Audit Management: Coordinate and manage external inspections and audits.
  • Incident Monitoring: Control and monitor absenteeism and accident rates to define and apply necessary preventive and corrective measures.
  • Regulatory Reporting: Report and update official organizations regarding accidents and sick leaves to ensure all incidents and diseases are followed up on.
  • Risk Evaluation: Evaluate and analyze possible risks by activity, job, and workplace to ensure safe working practices and identify risk reduction measures.
  • Medical Coordination: Implement and coordinate medical check-up initiatives globally with external providers.
  • Health Promotion: Promote workforce health by implementing appropriate programs and analyzing employee health status to detect potential occupational risks.
  • Employee Training: Organize ongoing training for employees according to company guidelines and mandatory labor prevention legislation or equivalent country-specific requirements.
  • Cultural Development: Create and implement an action plan to promote a healthy company culture across the organization.
  • Committee Participation: Organize and participate in Health & Safety committees to ensure all actions and measures align with company policy.
  • Legislation Awareness: Stay up to date with Health and Safety legislation to remain informed of developments affecting the retail industry.

7. Health and Safety Manager Details

  • Policy Implementation: Develop and implement health, safety, and fire policies across the group.
  • Audit Leadership: Lead and support regional health and safety practitioners to conduct periodic audits and assist in implementing the resulting actions.
  • Integration Management: Support and manage the integration of new acquisitions and the refurbishment of existing facilities.
  • ISO Alignment: Work to align the group with ISO-accredited management systems.
  • Risk Register Management: Produce and periodically review a health and fire safety risk register to ensure compliance risks remain current.
  • Budget Control: Manage the annual departmental budget and control expenditure in line with approved allocations.
  • Meeting Leadership: Chair health and safety meetings to review performance and statistics, engaging with stakeholders to achieve required outcomes.
  • Incident Investigation: Lead investigations into all serious accidents and incidents.
  • Training Coordination: Identify and coordinate a comprehensive health and safety training program across the organization.
  • Emergency Response: Manage, implement, and maintain the critical emergency response manual.
  • Compliance Reporting: Prepare and present compliance reports to the executive board and regional support networks.
  • Technical Advisory: Provide advice on health and safety matters related to medical machinery and company assets as outlined in the Maintenance Guidance Schedule.
  • Behavioral Safety: Create and implement a behavioral safety program within the organization.
  • Procedure Development: Develop and update standard operating procedures within the department.
  • Litigation Management: Manage all internal and external health and safety litigation claims in conjunction with the legal department.

8. Health and Safety Manager Duties

  • Technical Consultation: Provide technical health and safety consultation and support related to external events, including public health crises, extreme weather events, and wildfires.
  • Leadership Guidance: Offer guidance and recommendations to Regional Leaders and Corporate Office leadership to address Health and Safety needs across the business.
  • Policy Maintenance: Maintain policies and procedures for PPE, respiratory programs, equipment use, fire prevention, and hazardous materials.
  • Compliance Implementation: Operationalize health and safety standards and compliance orders in collaboration with legal advisors and other support teams.
  • Risk Evaluation: Evaluate operations and facilities to assess risk and ensure adherence to requirements.
  • Training Support: Support the development and delivery of safety training programs.
  • Regulatory Coordination: Coordinate all communications and interactions with regulatory bodies, including OSHA and public health agencies.
  • Injury Prevention: Drive injury reduction by utilizing data analysis, implementing prevention programs, and providing direct support for key sites and initiatives.
  • Awareness Promotion: Promote health and safety awareness across the organization.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of requirements, standards, codes, and guidance from regulatory agencies and standards organizations to support all related activities.

9. Health and Safety Manager Details and Accountabilities

  • System Management: Develop and maintain the ISO 45001 OH&S Safety Management System.
  • Procedure Development: Enhance and develop relevant procedures to ensure compliance with company policies, regulations, and industry standards.
  • Reporting Management: Manage all project OH&S reporting and communication.
  • Leadership Support: Provide guidance and leadership on OH&S matters.
  • Issue Resolution: Serve as the lead for all OH&S issues where assistance is required.
  • Operational Support: Provide on-site support to ensure operations are planned and conducted safely.
  • Advisory Services: Offer advice, guidance, and assistance to personnel regarding OH&S issues and safe work practices.
  • Incident Investigation: Conduct investigations, providing recommendations and lessons learned.
  • Assessment Coordination: Coordinate and mentor project OH&S assessments.
  • Review Process: Review assessment findings with relevant parties and document items requiring immediate correction.
  • Information Distribution: Distribute the latest OH&S information and best practices to the business.
  • Training Leadership: Lead OH&S training for the organization and its supply chain.
  • Incident Reporting: Review and complete Near Miss, Incident, and Accident Investigation reports, recommending appropriate countermeasures.
  • Corporate Reporting: Report periodically to Corporate Safety & Health on OH&S progress, challenges, and objectives.
  • Collaboration: Collaborate with operational teams to identify needs, resolve potential risks, and ensure process consistency.
  • Supplier Evaluation: Evaluate supplier performance and ensure performance data is included in the supplier database, implementing improvement plans.

10. Health and Safety Manager Tasks

  • Policy Implementation: Assist in the implementation of Health, Safety, and Risk Management policies and procedures.
  • Project Liaison: Liaise with managers to identify and facilitate the management of health and safety on projects.
  • Training Development: Assist in the development and delivery of a comprehensive range of training programs in relation to health and safety management.
  • Documentation Coordination: Coordinate the maintenance of documented health and safety procedures, including relevant hazard and risk assessments, for all activities.
  • Accident Investigation: Undertake accident investigations and prepare accurate and professional reviews, including appropriate recommendations.
  • Legislation Strategy: Recognize changes to legislation, guidance, and other relevant developments and develop strategies for their implementation.
  • Skill Development: Attend training courses and ensure personal and team job skills keep pace with technology and business developments.
  • HSEQ Support: Undertake any other duties and/or responsibilities as may be required from time to time by the Head of HSEQ.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations, and the CDM Regulations as they apply at all times.
  • Client Services: Undertake surveys, on-site audits, training, and consultancy for third-party clients.

11. Health and Safety Manager Roles

  • Advisory Support: Provide competent health and safety advice and support to allocated projects.
  • HSE Inspection: Undertake HSE inspections of each project on a fortnightly basis via the use of iAuditor.
  • Compliance Auditing: Undertake compliance audits of each project monthly via the use of iAuditor.
  • Reporting: Produce health and safety reports monthly for allocated projects.
  • Risk Review: Review risk assessments and method statements.
  • Policy Assistance: Assist in policies and procedures, with each project, with KPI implementation, and compliance.
  • Office Safety: Assist the Head of HSEQ with the management of office safety as allocated.
  • Incident Investigation: Lead incident investigations with the assistance of the Head of HSEQ.
  • Safety Recognition: Issue monthly safety awards on allocated projects as per the project KPI’s.
  • Record Management: Ensure that the allocated projects are maintaining records in line with company procedures and legal minimum requirements.
  • Meeting Participation: Attend client/principal contractor health and safety meetings on site.
  • Information Management: Check that alerts, industry updates, and bulletins are sent out regularly, filed correctly, and recorded on a database.
  • Plan Development: Review and develop project H&S Plans for allocated projects.
  • Stakeholder Liaison: Liaise with client/principal contractor health and safety representatives and project personnel.
  • Initiative Support: Assist the Head of HSEQ with company initiatives, development of company health and safety procedures and standards, and the development of Visual Standards.

12. Health and Safety Manager Additional Details

  • System Management: Develop, implement, and maintain the company’s EH&S management systems to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations.
  • Certification Support: Support the Quality and Food Safety Management System in relation to Health, Safety, and Energy through the implementation and maintenance of HSE requirements for third-party certifications, including ISO 9001:2015, SQF, FAMI-QS, SF/SF, HACCP, and ISO 17025.
  • ISO Strategy: Define a strategy to implement ISO 45001:2018 (Health and Safety) and ISO 50001:2018 (Energy) management systems within Micro Nutrients Indianapolis operations.
  • Environmental Collaboration: Work closely with the Environmental Manager to implement ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) into the Micronutrients Indianapolis facility.
  • Team Leadership: Manage a team of Health and Safety leaders across multiple shifts.
  • Executive Advisory: Advise senior leadership on all aspects of Health and Safety.
  • Regulatory Management: Manage interactions with state and federal labor departments in coordination with corporate legal counsel.
  • Claims Assistance: Assist in Workers’ Compensation claims management.
  • Strategic Planning: Strategically plan Health and Safety initiatives for the organization and ensure alignment with other company initiatives.
  • Goal Setting: Determine Health and Safety goals and objectives in relation to overall business performance.

13. Health and Safety Manager Essential Functions

  • Regulatory Assessment: Systematically assess site conditions and contract requirements to determine applicable Federal and/or provincial regulations.
  • Standards Application: Apply national and international industry consensus standards for construction projects.
  • System Development: Develop project-specific Health & Safety Management Systems based on the corporate H&S program, incorporating SH&E planning, implementation and operation, corrective actions, and an effective management review process to evaluate system suitability and effectiveness.
  • Compliance Oversight: Provide Site-Specific Construction Managers with direction and oversight to ensure compliance with project contractual obligations.
  • Project Support: Support Project Managers in performing all Health & Safety-related activities, including the development and implementation of project-specific Safety Plans and the assessment of regular and non-routine work tasks.
  • Committee Support: Support all Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) across provinces in fulfilling their safety responsibilities and training requirements.
  • Safety Training: Conduct formal and awareness safety training sessions for staff in both field and office locations.
  • Audit Management: Ensure scheduled safety audits and inspections are effectively completed, including defining and managing corrective and preventive actions.
  • Record Management: Ensure Health & Safety compliance records are properly organized and maintained according to applicable regulations.
  • Audit Reporting: Prepare written reports of audit results, including any non-compliance findings, for the Project Manager and Corporate SH&E.

14. Health and Safety Manager Role Purpose

  • System Management: Establish, facilitate, and manage HSEMS standard requirements and international standard requirements, addressing gaps and ensuring system maturity.
  • ISO Alignment: Coordinate site HSEM alignment with ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, and Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license requirements.
  • Environmental Compliance: Maintain environmental compliance on site, report to the Environmental Protection Agency, and manage the renewal process for appropriate licenses.
  • Leadership Accountability: Establish accountabilities and resource needs for the administration and management of the HSEMS through Leadership Reviews at the Annual HSE review and SDP reviews.
  • Structural Assessment: Assess and monitor the structure and responsibilities supporting the HSEMS.
  • Team Management: Manage the HSE Team, incorporating Environmental, Services, and Occupational Health functions.
  • Documentation Control: Manage and continuously improve all HSE-related documentation, including Standard Operating Systems (SOSs), Management of Change systems (MOC), accident investigations, and environmental investigations.
  • Operational Planning: Participate in and manage annual operational planning for HSE, including strategic initiatives, breakthrough projects, and regional and plant metric targets.
  • Cultural Development: Develop and implement a documented HSE Behavior and Culture Procedure.
  • Record Maintenance: Ensure adequate records are maintained to demonstrate conformance with Health, Safety, and Environmental requirements.
  • Communication Systems: Implement effective HSEMS communication systems for HSE messages and critical alignment.

15. Health and Safety Manager General Responsibilities

  • Policy Review: Review Health & Safety policies and objectives to ensure they are appropriate for operations, including active construction sites, indoor and outdoor facilities, manufacturing and production sites, and office environments.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that Health, Safety & Environmental practices reflect current legislative standards and requirements, as well as organizational policies and safety philosophy.
  • Legislative Monitoring: Monitor, research, and stay up to date with new and revised legislation, industry trends, and best practices to recommend updates and improvements to policies.
  • Project Planning: Assist in planning on-site projects concerning health, safety, and environmental protection.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Support the development of site-specific Emergency Response Plans.
  • Administrative Management: Manage the administration of health, safety, and environmental protection activities.
  • Incident Investigation: Lead incident investigations using root cause analysis, proper documentation, and standardized processes, recommending and implementing effective corrective and preventive measures.
  • Reporting Coordination: Coordinate with internal partners to ensure all health, safety, and environmental reports are completed and documented promptly, including WSIB and OH&S forms.
  • Inspection Management: Conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections to identify, document, and report hazards and near misses, recommending corrective or preventive measures.
  • Program Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of health, safety, and environmental policies and programs, identifying gaps and proposing solutions.
  • PPE Oversight: Oversee management and quality control of Personal Protective Equipment.
  • Training Coordination: Coordinate the planning, scheduling, delivery, and recording of Health, Safety & Environmental training, orientation, and curriculum for workers.
  • Communication Planning: Develop communication plans and ensure ongoing communication regarding Health and Safety Program status, changes, issues, challenges, and metrics.
  • Team Collaboration: Facilitate and promote a collective, team-based approach to safety throughout the organization.
  • Committee Leadership: As Chair of the Joint Health & Safety Committee, collaborate with members to ensure the group works interdependently toward Health and Safety Program goals and objectives.
  • Data Management: Maintain statistics, records, and monitor incidents, preparing reports.
  • Regulation Enforcement: Support the enforcement of health, safety, and environmental regulations, policies, practices, and procedures on-site continuously.
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