16 Safety Manager Skills for Your Career and Resume

Safety managers are responsible for ensuring that workplaces are safe for employees. They develop and implement safety policies, conduct safety audits and inspections, and investigate accidents. Safety managers need to have a strong understanding of safety regulations and best practices. They also need to be able to effectively communicate with employees and management. If you’re interested in becoming a safety manager, learning about the necessary skills can help you determine if this is the right career for you.

Accident Investigation

Safety managers need to be able to investigate accidents and determine the cause. This is important because it can help you develop strategies for preventing similar incidents in the future. For example, if a machine breaks down and someone gets injured, you might want to check the machine’s maintenance records and find out what caused the malfunction so you can prevent it from happening again.

Behavior-based Safety

Safety managers use their knowledge of behavioral-based safety to create and implement effective workplace safety programs. They can analyze the causes of accidents in a facility and determine which behaviors led to them so they can develop training that prevents similar actions from occurring again. Safety managers also use this skill when creating employee recognition programs, as they can identify the positive behavior they want to encourage and reward employees who display it.

Industrial Hygiene

Safety managers need to have a basic understanding of industrial hygiene, which is the practice of maintaining a safe work environment. Safety managers with strong industrial hygiene skills can help their organizations maintain healthy conditions for employees and ensure that they’re following regulations regarding workplace safety.

Problem Solving

Safety managers use problem-solving skills to address workplace hazards and ensure the safety of their employees. They may also need these skills when dealing with accidents or other emergency situations. Safety managers who can solve problems effectively are more likely to keep their company safe, which can help them advance in their career.

Decision Making

Safety managers make decisions on a daily basis, so it’s important that they have strong decision-making skills. These skills allow them to assess situations and determine the best course of action for their company. For example, if an employee requests time off for medical reasons, safety managers use their decision-making skills to approve or deny the request.

Ergonomics

Safety managers need to be aware of the physical demands of their job and how they can reduce risks associated with those demands. For example, if a safety manager has repetitive motion injuries from working at a desk all day, they may want to request an ergonomic assessment of their workspace or take other steps to prevent future injuries. Safety managers also use ergonomics when creating workplace policies that ensure employees are safe while performing their duties.

Risk Assessment

Safety managers need to be able to assess risks and determine the best course of action for reducing them. This involves evaluating potential hazards, analyzing how likely they are to occur and determining what steps can be taken to prevent or mitigate their effects if they do happen. Safety managers also use risk assessment when creating safety policies and procedures, as these documents often outline the consequences that may result from unsafe behavior.

OSHA Regulations

Safety managers need to be familiar with OSHA regulations, which are the laws that govern workplace safety in the United States. Safety managers who know these regulations can help their organizations comply with them and reduce their risk of being fined by OSHA. They also use this knowledge when creating a safety plan for their organization.

Leadership

Safety managers often supervise a team of safety professionals, so it’s important that they have strong leadership skills. Safety managers can use their leadership abilities to motivate their teams and ensure everyone is working together effectively. They also need to be able to make decisions on behalf of the company and enforce safety regulations.

Safety Training

Safety managers should have a thorough understanding of the safety protocols and procedures their company follows. They also need to be able to train others on how to follow these protocols and implement effective safety measures. Safety managers who are skilled in safety training can help ensure that all employees understand what they need to do to keep themselves and others safe at work.

Communication

Safety managers must be able to communicate effectively with their team and other departments. You may need to explain safety protocols, procedures or regulations to employees who are new to the company. Your communication skills can help you relay information clearly so that everyone understands what they need to do to keep themselves and others safe at work.

You also use your communication skills when communicating with upper management about potential hazards in the workplace or ways to improve safety standards.

Hazard Communication

Safety managers need to be able to communicate effectively with their team members and other stakeholders. This includes explaining potential hazards, outlining the steps necessary to mitigate those risks and providing feedback on how employees can improve their safety practices. Safety managers also use their communication skills when giving presentations about workplace safety or training new employees in emergency response procedures.

Flexibility

Safety managers often work with a variety of teams and individuals, so flexibility is an important skill for them to have. Safety managers need to be able to adapt their leadership style to the needs of each team member. They also need to be flexible in how they approach safety procedures and protocols because every organization has unique requirements.

Emergency Response

Safety managers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their company’s employees and customers. They often develop emergency response plans that outline how to respond to various types of emergencies, including fires, medical situations and natural disasters. Safety managers with strong emergency response skills can help ensure that everyone in an organization knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Workplace Safety

Safety managers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their company’s employees and facilities. They develop policies to ensure workplace safety, train employees on how to follow these policies and enforce them. Safety managers also conduct regular inspections to identify potential hazards and take steps to reduce risks.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and responsibilities. Safety managers often have many duties, including overseeing safety programs, reviewing employee injury reports, conducting investigations into workplace accidents and maintaining records on all aspects of a company’s safety program. Having strong organizational skills can help ensure that they are able to complete their work in a timely manner.

How Can I Learn These Safety Manager Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills to be a safety manager. Many colleges and universities offer degree programs in occupational safety and health, which can give you the theoretical knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Alternatively, you can gain on-the-job experience by working as a safety coordinator or safety specialist in a company. This will give you the opportunity to learn the practical aspects of the job and to develop your own safety management style. Finally, there are many professional development courses available that can teach you specific safety management skills, such as accident investigation or behavior-based safety.