What does a Safety Manager do?
A Safety Manager is responsible for shaping and maintaining a company’s safety culture. Their goal is to ensure that company operations adhere to a set of industry-compliant safety standards, that reduces accidents and resource wastage and improves efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Safety Managers conduct safety training for their team members and other employees. They also collaborate with other departments such as quality control and operations. Safety Managers work across industries including manufacturing, food and drink, aviation and technology, reviewing safety measures to save lives and improve working standards.
Safety Manager skills and qualifications
A successful Safety Manager candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively, these include:
- In-depth knowledge of safety regulations
- Excellent communication skills
- Physical fitness and stamina
- Strong team spirit and interpersonal skills
- Patience and the ability to work in high-pressure environments
- Research and analytic skills
- Negotiation skills
- Knowledge of relevant software packages
Safety Manager experience requirements
A Safety Manager requires one or two years of experience in safety management or a related field. Mid-level Safety Managers must have three to five years of experience, while Senior Safety Managers require over five years of experience. Management experience may also be required.
Prior experience in risk assessment, operations management and quality control with a background in the relevant industry is required. Other experience requirements depend on the hiring company, industry regulations and other factors.
Safety Manager education and training requirements
Safety Managers are usually required to have a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a similar field, such as engineering, biology and chemistry. A Safety Manager who intends to work specifically on a construction site must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or construction management. Some employers accept candidates without a degree, but they must complete various training programmes and obtain industry-recognised certifications, such as a Diploma in Process Safety and Loss Prevention, Certificate in Applied Health and Safety and a National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.
Safety Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, a Safety Manager in the UK makes an average of £43,071 per year. This salary expectation depends on factors, including the candidate’s level of experience,educational qualifications, the hiring company, industry and geographical of the company.
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