Safety Officer: Duties & How It Differs from the Safety Man

Research published by the Indonesian Journal of Conservation reveals that the building construction sector has the highest rate of workplace accidents in Indonesia, at 32,% compared to all other industries.

To decrease this high number, safety officers are tasked with effectively implementing Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace. With this responsibility, a safety officer is one of the jobs with promising career opportunities.

So, what are the responsibilities of a safety officer, and what are the job prospects for this job? To answer that, let’s take a look at the following article discussing safety officers!

What Is a Safety Officer?

Safety officers are people who are responsible for implementing Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace. In other words, they are part of a company’s Occupational Health and Safety team.

The government has issued regulations regarding the criteria for companies that are required to have a safety officer. Although not all companies are required, the presence of this profession is still important because work accidents possibly occur in any industry.

Safety Officer Duties

The implementation of Occupational Health and Safety between one industry and another is certainly different, so the details of the responsibilities in this job also tend to vary. However, in general, there is an outline of the duties of a safety officer, which are:

1. Conducting Risk Identification and Mapping

The process of identifying accident risks can be done through various methods such as direct observation, discussions with related parties, and brainstorming. For example, safety officers can observe the condition of the workplace, the feasibility of equipment, the use of materials, and the work process.

In order for the results of risk identification and mapping to be comprehensive, this profession requires a deep understanding of the potential risks of accidents that possibly occur and the steps to prevent them.

2. Creating an Occupational Health and Safety Program

In addition to identifying and mapping work risks, safety officers are also tasked with developing programs related to Occupational Health and Safety, both preventive and corrective in nature.

The Occupational Health and Safety program should be adjusted to the existing Occupational Health and Safety problems in the company so that its implementation runs effectively and on target. Examples of Occupational Health and Safety programs include socialization, working hours arrangements, health monitoring, and emergency programs.

3. Conducting Occupational Health and Safety Documentation

The next task of the safety officer is to compile documentation of the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety in the company. This documentation serves various purposes, such as completing administrative needs, knowing the effectiveness of the existing Occupational Health and Safety system, and designing further improvements.

There are three types of Occupational Health and Safety documentation, namely manuals, procedures, and work instructions. Each type has a different scope and purpose of documentation and must be prepared in accordance with predetermined criteria.

4. Implementing Government Regulations

In addition to carrying out the tasks described, safety officers also act as a liaison between the company and the government. They must be able to understand the applicable Occupational Health and Safety regulations and ensure their implementation in the company.

When there are changes in regulations, safety officers are required to understand these updates and implement them in the company system. Thus, companies can reduce the risk of work accidents and, at the same time, comply with established regulations.

5. Ensure the Use of Safety Tools

One indicator of company compliance with Occupational Health and Safety standards is the application of safety tools according to the rules, especially in industries that have a high risk of work accidents, such as construction and oil and gas.

Besides the application of safety tools, this profession is also tasked with ensuring the placement and use of appropriate safety signs. This safety sign serves to increase workers' awareness of potential hazards that can occur.

Safety Officer Salary

Safety officer salaries between one company and another are certainly different. The difference in salary is certainly based on various factors, such as job class, length of service, level of education, and expertise. In Indonesia, there is a general safety officer salary range, which is:

Bachelor’s degree with 1–5 years of work experience: IDR5,000,000–IDR12,000,000.
Supervisor bachelor’s degree with 10 years of work experience: IDR13,000,000–IDR20,000,000.
Manager bachelor’s degree with more than 10 years of experience: IDR27,000,000–IDR55,000,000.

Requirements to Become a Safety Officer

If you are interested in working in this field, there are several requirements that you must fulfill, ranging from expertise to educational qualifications. Here are some of the requirements to become a safety officer.

1. Communication Skills

This job involves various parties, such as management, employees, and external parties. To design an effective Occupational Health and Safety system, each part must contribute according to its role. In this coordination process, communication is an indispensable skill.

2. Analysis Skill

To comprehensively identify risks and hazards in the work environment, safety officers must have strong analytical skills. Thus, the precautions taken will be in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety risks that should be prioritized.

3. Construction Project Management

In developing, organizing, and managing Occupational Health and Safety programs, project management skills play a role in ensuring these activities run effectively. On the other hand, these skills are also useful for optimally managing available resources and time.

4. Having an Interest In Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational Health and Safety is a challenging field that requires strong motivation to become a safety officer. With high interest, a person will always learn to develop, including those of you who want to build a career in this field.

5. Educational Qualifications and Certifications

To become a safety officer, you must have a minimum educational background of an associate's or bachelor’s degree majoring in Occupational Health and Safety or a related major. In addition, there are various Occupational Health and Safety certifications that can be taken as recognition of expertise in this field.

Difference Between Safety Man and Safety Officer

Although they sound similar, there are fundamental differences between these two jobs. A safety man focuses on technical aspects and implementation, while a safety officer has broader duties.

The safety man is tasked with taking daily precautions and ensuring worker compliance with predetermined Occupational Health and Safety rules. Meanwhile, safety officers are responsible for designing policies, coordinating inspections, and reporting evaluation results.

That’s all the explanation of the safety officer and his role in creating a healthy and safe work environment. As well as the role of the safety officer, a strong building structure can also minimize the risk of work accidents, especially in the construction industry.

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