WHAT DOES A HEALTH AND SAFETY SPECIALIST DO?

Published: May 13, 2025 - The Health and Safety Specialist develops safety programs to ensure compliance and reduce workplace risks. This role supports operations through training, incident investigations, and continuous improvement. The specialist also tracks safety metrics and maintains a safe environment for all personnel.

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

1. Health and Safety Specialist Duties

  • Inspection Procedures: Performing inspection processes and procedures and ensuring good health and safety practices
  • Risk Assessment: Updating and creating new risk assessments
  • Accident Investigation: Investigating accidents and complaints and determining if there has been a breach of health and safety law
  • Medical Coordination: Coordinating occupational medicine (control and periodic examinations) and assessing exposure factors at workplaces
  • Disease Prevention: Investigating precautions taken to prevent industrial diseases
  • Regulation Monitoring: Keeping up to date with new legislation and health and safety standards
  • Training Support: Providing training and educational support to employers and new or trainee employees, coordinating periodic training
  • Safety Advising: Providing specialist advice and information on health and safety to businesses and organizations and advising on changes
  • Report Writing: Writing reports on the results of inspections and investigations and completing detailed paperwork
  • Committee Coordination: Coordinating the organization and participating in quarterly health and safety committees
  • Program Development: Developing health and safety working programs and policies
  • Data Reporting: Preparing data and reports for external institutions such as the Central Statistical Office and ZUS
  • Mentorship Role: Acting as a mentor for HSE Inspector(s)
  • Solution Proposal: Offering new HSE solutions for new circumstances

2. Health and Safety Specialist Details

  • Target Setting: Support defining health and safety targets, KPIs, policies and procedures, ensuring their implementation
  • Performance Monitoring: Monitor the performance and condition at the Country level, reporting relevant information, harmonizing working methods and identifying and monitoring the required corrective action plans
  • Field Support: Support Health and Safety teams at the country/field level in reviewing health and safety conditions in the field, risk assessment
  • Recovery Planning: Define recovery plans and monitor their implementation as well as perform Extra Checking On Site (ECOS)
  • Project Implementation: Support the design and implementation of initiatives/projects at the local level
  • Competence Development: Contribute to the safety competence centers, to create an operational Group-wide support network
  • Supplier Qualification: Support the processes related to Suppliers’ safety qualification, liaising with the Procurement
  • Solution Assessment: Scout, liaise with other relevant units, the H&S technological and operational solutions applied at the local level and assess those currently in place, evaluating potential improvements
  • Program Development: Maintenance, development and implementation of Health and Safety programs, compliance plans, and initiatives focused on company Safety and Environment values, goals, objectives, and various regulations, including ISO 45001, 9001, and 14001
  • Equipment Oversight: Oversee HSE equipment approval, selection and master lists in coordination with procurement
  • Office Coordination: Coordinate and support staff functions and office HSE programs, including emergency planning and ergonomics
  • Fleet Safety: Support the fleet safety program by acting as the administrator for the fleet safety program

3. Health and Safety Specialist Responsibilities

  • Incident Investigation: Participate in the investigation of incidents and near misses
  • Safety Initiatives: Coordinate safety initiatives across the area
  • HSEQ Coordination: Coordinate various company HSEQ initiatives, acting as the liaison with the central staff
  • Risk Assessment: Support and manage risk assessments for staff functions
  • Regulatory Compliance: Maintain compliance and excellence in all HSEQ matters
  • Reporting Coordination: Coordinate internal and regulatory reporting for Safety and Environment, including construction site data
  • Emergency Planning: Maintain office emergency action plans
  • Budget Assistance: Assist with budget forecasts, schedules, cost information, and labor allocations
  • Initiative Support: Participate in and coordinate various HSEQ initiatives
  • Team Contribution: Contribute to overall unit and company objectives
  • Data Integrity: Maintain data integrity within systems, including SAP
  • Procurement Support: Act as backup purchasing specialist and collaborate on safety equipment procurement

4. Health and Safety Specialist Job Summary

  • HSW Leadership: Driving the HSW culture, systems, and practices within the group and operational teams
  • Policy Implementation: Implementation of effective HSW policies and procedures
  • Leader Coaching: Education and coaching of leaders on HSW policies, procedures, systems and responsibilities
  • Incident Analysis: Analysis of incident reports
  • Audit Management: Audits, feedback and implementation of plans to address issues raised from this
  • Vendor Coordination: Partnering with the development and supply chain teams on contractor/vendor HSW requirements
  • Warehouse Safety: Ensuring that the Distribution Centres are set up to ensure safety around forklifts and bulky items
  • Risk Assessment: Ensure that risk assessment is carried out in all departments, to make suggestions about the measures to be taken and to follow up
  • Field Inspection: Inspecting the field and employees and reporting the detected nonconformity, determining corrective actions, making suggestions about the activities and following the actions
  • Accident Investigation: Investigate the causes of work accidents and occupational diseases in the workplace and carry out studies on the measures to be taken to prevent their recurrence
  • Near Miss Review: Investigate the causes of events that occur in the workplace but do not cause death or injury, but have the potential to harm the employee, equipment or workplace
  • Permit Approval: Approve by making the necessary checks for the works that require a work permit
  • Emergency Planning: Updating emergency plans, participating in training and exercises
  • Machine Commissioning: Making machine commissioning, reporting the detected and determining corrective actions, making suggestions about the activities and following the actions
  • Legal Compliance: Monitor and report legal compliance
  • OHS Training: Provide occupational health and safety training to employees according to the relevant legislation
  • Data Processing: Process OHS data into the system and make reports
  • KPI Management: Enter OHS and Environmental KPIs into the system and follow their actions

5. Health and Safety Specialist Accountabilities

  • Safety Planning: Ensure the safety management plan is in place to deliver the IR scope of work
  • Workshop Facilitation: Facilitate safety management workshops to ensure ARTC requirements are integrated into the IR scope of work
  • Legislative Reporting: Ensure all rail ARTC legislative reporting is undertaken
  • Project Auditing: Audit of IR projects as per the audit schedule
  • Accreditation Integration: Collaborate and integrate safety management requirements with rail accreditation plans
  • Strategy Development: Suggest and set objectives for the improvement strategy
  • Incident Support: Assist in incident investigation and delivery of ARTC objectives
  • Legislation Review: Review, communicate and assess the impact with the Head of Safety of any changes to legislation
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with, train, and coach internal and external stakeholders to ensure safety in all work practices
  • Contractor Oversight: Guarantee that third-party contractors are working toward the safety standards required by ARTC
  • Zero Harm Promotion: Promote and champion a Zero Harm culture across the business and third-party partners
  • Workplace Wellness: Promote wellness and maintain a safe work environment to ensure employee health and safety
  • Policy Compliance: Ensure local regulatory and UPS policy compliance, and execution of strategies to mitigate risk
  • Community Outreach: Follow up with organizations to maintain a safe environment and strengthen community relations

6. Health and Safety Specialist Functions

  • Program Development: Develops and implements health and safety programs, policies and procedures
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local government safety codes and regulations
  • Equipment Safety: Establishes and maintains procedures for safe tools, equipment, and supplies
  • Code Monitoring: Monitors changes in safety and health codes and communicates updates to management
  • Compliance Coordination: Coordinates all safety regulatory compliance requirements
  • Record Maintenance: Maintains plant safety documentation and records
  • Program Evaluation: Evaluates the effectiveness of health and safety programs and policies
  • Database Management: Maintains the OHM database for incident reports, corrective actions, and logs
  • Injury Oversight: Leads and oversees injured colleague cases
  • Record Review: Reviews and maintains personal injury records
  • Return to Work: Develops strategies for timely return of injured employees
  • Work Injury Support: Coordinates early return to work for lost time injuries
  • Hazard Identification: Identifies unsafe equipment operation and recommends corrective actions
  • Daily Inspections: Conducts safety inspections and equipment audits with corrective follow-up
  • Corrective Action: Investigates incidents and implements corrective actions
  • Incident Management: Leads site incident management for safety, environmental, and food compliance

7. Health and Safety Specialist Job Description

  • Recognition Program: Maintains oversight of the safety recognition program
  • Program Communication: Ensures plant-wide communication of safety programs and initiatives
  • Training Development: Works with Health and Safety Manager to develop training modules
  • Regulatory Training: Ensures training meets FDA, EPA, OSHA, DOT, and GFSI requirements
  • Safety Support: Provides support to manufacturing staff with a focus on awareness and prevention
  • Hazard Analysis: Conducts hazard analysis and recommends corrective measures
  • Data Analysis: Analyzes safety data to develop action plans and reduce incident rates
  • Risk Assessment: Performs risk assessments and determines corrective actions
  • Trend Monitoring: Analyzes trends to prioritize safety improvements
  • Corrective Coaching: Identifies issues and coaches teams on root cause and corrective plans
  • Plan Collaboration: Works with leadership and employees to achieve safety plan success
  • Leadership Guidance: Provides leadership, mentoring, and training presentations
  • Advisory Role: Advises management on safety action plan status and focus areas
  • Daily Support: Assists with daily safety communications and activities
  • KPI Tracking: Maintains systems to monitor EHS performance indicators

8. Health and Safety Specialist Overview

  • Risk Assessment: Perform safety risk assessments and implement compliance programs
  • Workplace Monitoring: Assist in evaluating workplace safety and regulatory compliance
  • Hazard Control: Conduct inspections, job safety analysis, and mitigation activities
  • EHS Training: Support EHS education in an R&D environment
  • Procedure Enforcement: Ensure implementation of safe operating procedures
  • Incident Reporting: Investigate incidents and ensure follow-up actions are completed
  • Root Cause Analysis: Conduct root cause analyses with Operations leadership
  • Crisis Management: Lead emergency and crisis management planning and response
  • Corrective Action: Conduct incident investigations and implement improvements
  • Continuous Improvement: Apply lessons learned and drive site-wide EHS improvement
  • Program Evaluation: Assess employee safety program effectiveness and address gaps
  • Metrics Analysis: Analyze EHS data trends to guide corrective actions
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with business and operations on EHS programs
  • Program Auditing: Conduct frequent audits to ensure ongoing EHS improvement
  • Environmental Compliance: Manage environmental reporting, waste monitoring, and inventories

9. Health and Safety Specialist Details and Accountabilities

  • Program Leadership: Leads and coordinates overall safety programs and documentation
  • Training Implementation: Implements training to meet legal and company requirements
  • Awareness Programs: Administers safety and awareness initiatives
  • Regulation Compliance: Interprets and tracks relevant safety laws and standards
  • Technical Oversight: Maintains safety programs like contractor safety and fall prevention
  • Performance Metrics: Creates and monitors safety performance metrics
  • Safe Environment: Ensures safety for employees, customers, and visitors
  • Report Preparation: Prepares various safety-related reports
  • Incident Management: Oversees investigations and ensures corrective actions
  • Field Support: Spends time in operations to support compliance and improvements
  • Improvement Advice: Recommends improvements and conducts risk assessments
  • Behavioral Safety: Develops procedures and practices to reduce incidents

10. Health and Safety Specialist Tasks

  • Safety Coaching: Provides health and safety coaching for managers and teams
  • Regulatory Reporting: Prepares and submits permits, reports, and records on time
  • Record Management: Maintains on-site regulatory records and due dates
  • Compliance Calendar: Manages the safety compliance calendar and submissions
  • Accident Investigation: Investigates incidents and ensures corrective actions
  • Vendor Management: Oversees safety vendors, contracts, and budgets
  • Cost Estimation: Prepares proposals and cost estimates for future work
  • Data Analysis: Performs statistical safety information analysis
  • HR Collaboration: Works with HR to prepare job descriptions
  • Strategic Support: Assists management in delivering safety and sustainability plans
  • Site Improvement: Advises site teams to improve workplace environment and wellbeing
  • Incident Review: Investigates accidents and recommends improvements
  • Subcontractor Assessment: Ensures subcontractor evaluation and regular review
  • EHS Training: Supports creation and delivery of EHS training programs
Relevant Information
What Does A Health and Safety Advisor Do?
What Does A Health and Safety Do?