A construction site is prone to various health and safety hazards. Several heavy machinery such as cranes and bulldozers ply on the site. Large amount of material gets transported from one place to another. Besides as long as the structure is under construction, it is considered weak and vulnerable to breakdowns. All these factors put the lives of the workers in jeopardy. Hence, it is basic requirement at any construction site to appoint a construction safety officer. Here is the detailed description of the construction safety work profile.
Work Nature
The work of a construction safety officer includes planning, implementation and supervision. Officers plan the safety measures and regulations and implement them at the construction site. They supervise the performance of the workers and verify if they follow the guidelines or not. The work of the safety officer is a part of the management and they do not undertake any strenuous work.
Job Scope and Responsibilities
Depending upon the size and scale of the construction site, there may be one officer or a team of officers to oversee construction safety work. A team would include personnel on designations of coordinators, supervisor and managers. Together or as an individual, they carry out the following functions:
Safety Management
This officer issues safety guidelines for the project, according to the regulations prescribed by the law. They determine the precautionary measures to be taken by the workers and the officers to protect themselves from any casualty. They help the management explain the protocols and implement them effectively.
Emergency Management
This officer is responsible to tackle emergencies of all nature. If anyone gets injured during the project, they are responsible to ensure they get appropriate medical attention. They arrange for medical equipments, first aid box and the safety gears for the workers.
Claims Management
In case any worker gets critically injured at the construction site, this officer helps him file the claims application forms and demand compensation or medical insurance. They assist during the legal procedure.
Work Requirements
Candidates require qualifications in construction management or occupational health and safety hazards. They must fulfill training required to conduct on-site inspections and evaluate the safety measures in place. Also, they require knowledge about the safety protocols and claims laws. They must be competent in using different safety gears and equipments. Other key requirements include physical fitness, decision making, critical thinking, observation skills and strong emphasis on safety.
Work Conditions
All safety officers work at the construction site. Hence, outdoor work and traveling are integral part of the construction safety work profile. Most officers have fixed timings. However, some may work in shifts and some may work overtime, depending upon the project requirements. Although the officers are responsible to maintain safety at work, that does not reduce the possibility of accidents. Officers may suffer injuries while working and are prone to health hazards. Working at construction sites makes them vulnerable to inhale toxic particles.
Career Prospects
All construction safety officers work within the construction industry. They find jobs in both private and public firms. The nature of construction projects may vary as some projects include commercial buildings, public buildings like schools, hospitals or post offices, infrastructure like roads or dams. Every project requires the support of a construction safety officer to ensure safe execution of the projects.
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook for construction safety work appears positive. Every city and country depends upon the infrastructure development to improve its economic standard. Hence, the prospects for construction opportunities are always on the rise. Besides, the law bodies are implementing the health and safety protocols strictly. This increases the demand to have a construction safety officer with the team.
Refer to the information given on the construction safety work and use it to determine if you want to make a career in this field.