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Safety Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Safety Manager, or Occupational Health and Safety Manager, is employed by a firm, such as a construction company, to ensure their health and safety plans comply with industry standards and legislation. Their duties include monitoring health hazards in the workplace, advising staff on ways to minimize risks, and designing safety monitoring systems.

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Safety Manager duties and responsibilities

The responsibilities of a Safety Manager vary, depending on the industry. In general, a Safety Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies and standards, conducting audits and reviews of existing health and safety policies, advising employees on safety procedures, conducting training sessions, and addressing incidents and injuries. Other duties and responsibilities include:

  • Translating business strategies to comply with health and safety protocols
  • Providing leadership to employees and management on health and safety strategy
  • Determining that each department is following regulations
  • Writing reports and responding to inquiries and concerns
  • Staying up-to-date on relevant health and safety developments
  • Working with management to develop screening protocols
  • Conducting site visits and spot audits
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What does a Safety Manager do?

A Safety Manager ensures a company’s health and safety policies are thorough, efficient, and compliant with local, regional, and industry guidelines and regulations. They review production and other activities, and work with employees to decrease risks. This position falls under human resources in most businesses.

Depending on the industry, a Safety Manager may run safety inspections in warehouses, train employees in safety protocol, review legislation, and create safety monitoring systems. The variety of responsibilities of the Safety Manager ultimately relies on the type of industry or work environment.

Safety Manager skills and qualifications

A successful Safety Manager candidate will have a strong understanding of the policies and procedures governing health and safety in your industry. They will need to be a problem-solver and critical-thinker, along with having management skill if they are required to also manage other people. Other relevant skills and qualifications include:

  • Understanding of relevant health and safety regulations and guidelines
  • Familiarity with terms and policies of your firm’s industry
  • Sound judgment and decision-making skills
  • Good written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to influence strategy and collaborate with company leadership
  • Comfortable multi-tasking, working under pressure, and managing tight timelines
  • Technical writing skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications or similar software
  • Familiarity with project management and budgeting
  • First aid, CPR and any other relevant medical training

Safety Manager experience requirements

Depending on the level of seniority of the Safety Manager role, ideal candidates should have five to ten years of experience in health and safety. Candidates with experience conducting risk assessments, managing a team, teaching first aid, and ensuring legal compliance are ideal.

Safety Manager education and training requirements

In Canada, most job descriptions for Safety Manager include a requirement of education or training in health and safety, such as through a Certified Health and Safety Consultant (CHSC) or Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) certification. Safety Managers are typically required to have a Bachelor’s degree in safety, health, or another related field.

It may also be important to find a candidate with specific first aid or emergency response training, depending on the industry and the types of safety concerns the candidate will be managing. A strong candidate will also know federal laws, legislation, and other relevant guidelines for your industry. Other training may be required per province.

Safety Manager salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Safety Manager in Canada is $76,809 per year. It is important to note that salary is dependent on experience, location, and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this Safety Manager job description is not quite what you are looking for, other job description examples include:

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Safety Manager job description FAQs

What qualities make a good Safety Manager?

Worker safety is of the utmost priority, and it is the responsibility of the Safety Manager to ensure your company provides safe working conditions. You need a Safety Manager who can keep a cool head in a crisis, and problem solve on their feet. Look for a person with demonstrated experience implementing policy and making decisions under pressure.

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