What Does A HSE Supervisor Do?

WHAT DOES A HSE SUPERVISOR DO?

Published: July 16, 2025 - The Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Supervisor ensures the implementation of project-specific HSE plans, delivers training, and supports regulatory compliance through inspections and communication strategies. This role monitors trade partner performance, evaluates emergency and environmental plans, and participates in incident investigations to verify corrective actions. The supervisor also fosters strong stakeholder relationships while coaching and mentoring HSE Coordinators to strengthen overall safety performance.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Health, Safety and Environment Supervisor

1. HSE Supervisor Duties

Stakeholder Liaison: Liaison between management and staff on all matters relating to HSE to ensure consistent application and understanding of policies and procedures
OSHA Compliance: Responsible for OSHA recordkeeping, reporting and maintenance of programs and training
Safety Training: Ensure the Safety Program is in place and conduct that training for all New Hires
Hazard Identification: Ensure all employees are trained and can identify potential hazards in the workplace
Legal Compliance: Ensure, at minimum, legal compliance and reduce the risk of non-compliance
Environmental Improvement: Identify opportunities for continuous environmental improvement
Agency Representation: Represent the operation with local and national health, safety and environment bodies
Sustainability Integration: Promote and coordinate the integration of environmental management and sustainability issues into policies, rules and operations
EPA Reporting: Responsible for all USEPA and other environmental agency reporting and recordkeeping when applicable
Risk Mitigation: Communicates all problems and questions to site leadership and implements solutions to minimize risk
Procedure Compliance: Follows all safety procedures
Material Management: Responsible for all equipment, supplies, documents, and materials related to job
Policy Compliance: Responsible for following all DSV policies and procedures
Regulation Compliance: Complies with all federal, state, and local regulations
Public Communication: Communicates with all levels of staff and the public on the job

2. HSE Supervisor Details

Waste Monitoring: Managing, monitoring and collecting data related to waste management (transfer notes, hazardous waste), energy, gas and water consumption, and environmental permits
Target Setting: Agreeing with the HSE Manager, the annual HSE targets and implementation programme at the plant level in line with the Country vision and strategy on HSE and Sustainability
HSE Training: Communicating, training and instruction on general HSE-management matters and specific job-related HSE issues
Sustainability Integration: Ensuring integration of HSE awareness within the broader sustainability approach of the Country/Group
Regulation Enforcement: Ensuring supervision and enforcement of HSE rules and regulations in line with Corporate guidance and legislation
Legislation Monitoring: Monitoring environmental and H&S legislation changes and implementing changes
Performance Reporting: Reporting on HSE Factory performance (LTA’s, near misses, etc) via the Blumatica tool while providing recommendations for improvement
Site Support: Supporting the Plant Manager in the management of all HSE aspects/impacts related to the site production activities and products
Protection Concepts: Implementation and maintenance of the concepts for occupational safety, health and environmental protection
System Evaluation: Monitoring, evaluating and analysing the effectiveness of the HSE Plans/System and proposing improvement actions
Tour Execution: Executing Plant HSE tours as well as Behavioural safety observations tours
Workforce Training: Train the broader workforce to conduct such tours
Medical Compliance: Ensuring statutory medical checks are conducted in compliance with Legislation
Emergency Planning: Implementing safe systems of work including procedures to address emergency preparedness and response
Contractor Coordination: Coordinating with the HSE Representative of contractors and subcontractors for the correct management of works performed on site, according to company procedures
Meeting Organization: Organizing HSE meetings at the Site level and participating in HSE meetings at the Country level
Incident Investigation: Reporting and investigating accidents, incidents, diseases, dangerous occurrences and Near Misses by company procedures
Corrective Review: Holding appropriate meetings to conduct specific investigations and to review any related corrective actions or HSE recommendations for improvement raised
Trend Monitoring: Monitor any trends and work with the broader team to address them

3. HSE Supervisor Responsibilities

IMS Management: Manage the organisation and administration of the company's Integrated Management System, ensuring that procedures and processes are created
Audit Compliance: Maintained to the standard and corrected or improved by the recommendations of compliance audits by external certification bodies
Risk Assessment: Coordinate area and task-specific risk assessments in cooperation with area supervisors, team leaders and operators to identify hazards that present a risk to employees' health and safety
Action Implementation: Define, lead and manage the implementation of resulting corrective actions or control measures to eliminate these risks
Process Auditing: Conduct regular and detailed audits of the company's QHSE processes and procedures to identify good practice, opportunities for improvement and non-conformance
Process Improvement: Work collaboratively with process owners to convey observations and implement controlled revisions to improve their overall effectiveness
Incident Investigation: Lead investigations into health, safety and environmental incidents and quality-related non-conformities
Root Cause Action: Proactively manage containment and the implementation of corrective actions to eliminate root causes
QHSE Expertise: Establish yourself as the company's competent person about QHSE matters, providing professional guidance, direction and expert opinion based on a clear understanding of relevant legislation
Culture Development: Accelerate and improve visual/verbal communications and engagement to further develop the QHSE culture to embed awareness, responsibility and proactive intervention as a base for employee expectations

4. HSE Supervisor Job Summary

HSEQ Compliance: Actively participate in the site’s safety practices, ensuring compliance with HSEQ standards and rules, ensuring injuries, incidents, hazards and illnesses are reported immediately to create a safe, healthy and sustainable workplace
Training Delivery: Partner with Manufacturing Manager, Warehouse and Logistics manager, site HSE and Quality Managers to deliver training relating to HSEQ
Budget Monitoring: Monitor and report on training spending to meet budget requirements and conduct cost reduction activities
Culture Building: Contribute to building an Engagement and Enablement culture through implementing learning and development, and team problem-solving initiatives
Skill Development: Support the Coordinators to review individual competency/skill gaps and coordinate development activities
Needs Analysis: Conduct a training needs analysis
Priority Setting: Interact with the Frontline Operators, Leaders, and Managers to determine development priorities for front-line team
Program Development: Develop training programs in line with the training needs and tap into the expertise of the internal or external subject matter experts (including using e-learning platforms)
Plan Implementation: Implement training plans through working cohesively with the manufacturing/Logistics and Warehousing managers, coordinators and internal or subject matter experts, etc
Policy Integration: Ensures that internal policies, procedures and other legal requirements are incorporated into training programs and applied in daily practice

5. HSE Supervisor Accountabilities

Policy Implementation: Ensure the company's Health, Safety and Environmental Policy is implemented consistently across the sites
Policy Review: Monitor, evaluate and review Health, Safety and Environmental policy and practice, make recommendations and implement new policies and procedures
Risk Assessment: Ensure that risk assessments are completed, maintained and reviewed
Strategy Development: Develop and drive the Health, Safety and Environmental Strategy for the sites, using recommendations from audits and findings from Risk Assessments
Training Delivery: Assist in the identification of training needs for employees and develop and deliver training
Legislation Advisory: Advise on the implications of current and emerging health, safety, environmental and welfare legislation, including evaluating options, making recommendations and generating action plans to ensure compliance across the sites
System Support: Support staff on-site to maintain safe systems, providing specialist advice, coaching and practical support
Procedure Implementation: Implement health, safety and environmental systems and procedures to meet specific requirements, such as accident reporting and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) in a consistent and effective manner
System Auditing: Carry out audits to evaluate the effectiveness of health, safety and environmental systems and procedures, and identify and implement improvements
Routine Checks: Ensure routine health, safety and environmental activities and checks are carried out, e.g., testing of portable electrical appliances and the review of risk assessments
Accident Investigation: Investigate to assist others in investigating the circumstances and causes of accidents and take necessary steps to prevent a recurrence
Risk Mitigation: Take action to mitigate the impact and likelihood of health, safety and environmental risks
Trend Reporting: Provide a report to management to discuss the accident trends and near misses for the previous month or quarter and any preventative action or training as a result
Induction Presentation: Present the health, safety and environmental Policy at the site induction program

6. HSE Supervisor Functions

Safety Auditing: Conducting safety meetings, audits, and inspections to ensure compliance, evaluate performance, identify corrective action, and implement follow-up assessments
Training Programs: Planning, implementing and conducting preventative care, safety, and compliance training programs
Program Management: Planning, implementing, managing, and maintaining comprehensive environmental safety and health programs at the project site location
Regulation Guidance: Providing the project management team with guidance on health and safety and confirming the project site fulfills industry, local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations
Emergency Planning: Collaborating with management to develop an emergency action plan and serving as the primary contact for project site injury and incident notification, investigation, and case management
Inspection Logging: Maintaining a written log of safety inspection activities, reports, and correspondence
Policy Enforcement: Giving guarantees that all work is performed by approved manuals, internal policies and procedures, contract documents, and good engineering practices
Training Delivery: Preparing and conducting safety training sessions for employees and vendors
Standards Compliance: Ensuring compliance with all regulatory bodies and standards (including OSHA, EPA, etc.)
Regulation Research: Researching environmental regulations and policies and instituting changes to ensure compliance
Metrics Tracking: Tracking incident metrics and applying findings
Permit Oversight: Overseeing the applications for and receipt of necessary permits
Incident Leadership: Leading injury and incident inquiries and evaluations

7. HSE Supervisor Job Description

Program Development: Works with the NA HSE manager in developing and implementing an HSE program within the country’s business lines and units
Customer Participation: Participate in customer discussions on HSE
Culture Promotion: Participate in developing a good safety culture
Requirement Fulfillment: Work with the country’s management to ensure that all local and customer safety requirements are met
Solution Offering: Understands local HSE requirements and can offer solutions that produce the most appropriate result for the location and Metso Outotec
Issue Communication: Help the local organizations understand current issues and needs, and keep them abreast of current policies and programs
Customer Relations: Maintain positive customer relations
Legislation Compliance: Ensure full compliance with current country legislation affecting safety, health and the environment
Activity Reporting: Prepare reports that detail current HSE activity
Goal Achievement: Achieve short-term/long-term goals for Metso Outotec
Incident Management: Investigate, report, follow up and maintain all necessary paperwork for all accidents/incidents
Procedure Design: Design and implement appropriate preventative procedures to minimize risk to all employees
Standards Updating: Ensure compliance with HSE standards and the updating of procedures
Policy Drafting: Takes part in drawing up and updating policies and procedures, in some cases using the support of specialists
Audit Execution: Conduct regular internal audits
Emergency Planning: Update the emergency plan and prepare regular safety exercises
Contractor Evaluation: Regularly evaluate contractors and suppliers from the point of view of safety, health and the environment
Risk Analysis: Analyses operational risks before work commences
Accident Analysis: Analyses all accidents and incidents to work towards a zero accident target
Permit Management: Manage permits to work, non-compliances, statistics and safety indications

8. HSE Supervisor Overview

Safety Advisory: Assist and provide advice to project management on the safety-related actions to maintain an acceptable level of safety on the job site
Site Inspection: Observe, inspect and assist site operations to ensure work is being done safely and the site is in Regulatory compliance
Worker Engagement: Seek cooperation from workers on site through the use of good interpersonal communication skills
Hazard Response: Recognize hazardous situations and act on them appropriately
Training Delivery: Provide safety-specific training to individuals and groups
Equipment Inspection: Assist in equipment inspections, preparation of reports, and follow up on all noted deficiencies
Stress Management: Work efficiently and effectively with employees and management, often in stressful situations
PSSP Implementation: Assist project Management/Supervision in the implementation and communication of the PSSP
SDS Compliance: Ensure all controlled products supplied to projects are accompanied by a corresponding current safety data sheet (SDS/MSDS) and other documentation as required by local government regulations
BBS Coaching: Assist, conduct and coach workers in BBS and FLRAs
Report Filing: Ensure all HSE reports and meeting minutes and filed, with copies sent to the appropriate personnel for review and corrective action
Legislation Tracking: Stay up-to-date with the latest changes to the applicable legislation
Initiative Promotion: Promote Graham’s HSE MS and assist with encouraging participation in safety initiatives
Incident Support: Assist with incident investigations and analysis and recommendations
Orientation Facilitation: Facilitate site-specific orientations and maintain and analyze project HSE statistics for trends and recommend corrective controls to the project team
Claims Support: Assist with administering the Claims Management process

9. HSE Supervisor Details and Accountabilities

Plan Implementation: Implements and supports project HSE plans, regulatory requirements, and other safe work practices
Training Delivery: Develops and delivers project-specific HSE training
Communication Strategy: Implements district HSE communication strategies on projects
Hazard Evaluation: Recognizes, evaluates, and advises on hazard identification
Inspection Leadership: Leads project HSE inspections and monitors the quality and effectiveness of inspections and trade safety plans
Response Planning: Develops and evaluates the efficiency of the project emergency response plan, site-specific security requirements and the environmental plan
Performance Auditing: Monitors and audits trade partner HSE performance
Corrective Evaluation: Participates in on-site investigative processes and evaluates corrective actions taken
Stakeholder Relations: Develops and maintains positive relationships with all stakeholders
Coordinator Coaching: Coaches, trains and mentors HSE Coordinators

10. HSE Supervisor Tasks

Safety Support: Provide support to Project teams in all aspects of safety, health, and environmental issues
Briefing Coordination: Coordinate with the Project team in periodic project work briefings
Contractor Management: Assist in the management of contractors on-site
Risk Assessment: Carry out a detailed risk assessment of all works to be executed by the project's contractors’ personnel based on the communicated methods statement
RAMS Communication: Communicate the developed Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) to the contractors and the HSE Manager
Permit Processing: Process appropriate permits to work for approved RAMS of all authorized works and ensure each permit is validated and available daily
Rule Enforcement: Enforce all agreed RAMS safety controls and site safety rules on all contractor personnel and sites
Incident Reporting: Identify, correct, and report all safety observations and incidents that may occur at project sites to the FOPS HSE Manager
Work Stoppage: Enforce stop-work orders on all works assessed to be risky in liaison with the FOPS HSE Manager
Consequence Management: Enforce and implement applicable FMN consequence management actions on any FMN and contractor personnel who violate any of FMN’s life-saving rules and other safety guidelines
Incident Investigation: Liaise with relevant stakeholders in carrying out a timely and detailed investigation of all incidents that may occur at project sites and communicate root causes and corrective actions
Toolbox Meetings: Ensure that contractor employees carry out their daily safety toolbox meetings
Evacuation Communication: Communicate FMN’s emergency evacuation plan to new contractor personnel
Compliance Appraisal: Appraise the HSE compliance level of each contractor and communicate the same to the Maintenance Project Manager
Site Oversight: Carry out supervisory oversight functions on all contractor personnel to ensure each adheres strictly to the agreed safe procedures for the jobs being executed, and an acceptable level of housekeeping throughout the work cycle, and always leave the site in a safe condition
Concern Reporting: Report all safety, health, and environmental concerns to the FOPS HSE Manager

Relevant Information

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