PROJECT SAFETY STAFFING 6
6.7 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, READINGS, AND REFERENCES
Hiring Guide: The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently published “The ASSE Guide to Hiring the Right Occupational Safety & Health Professional” available at http://www .asse .org/assets/1/7/Hiring_right_OSH_Professional .pdf . It provides guidelines to employers and companies looking to build their safety team . The guide provides essential hiring tips for various safety positions at different levels of expertise . This breakdown helps users focus on important aspects of a potential candidate’s skill sets and goals .
Exhibit 6-1: Example Project Safety Staffing Policy
(Used with permission of Turner Construction Company. The opinions and guidance expressed in this handbook are those of the author and not necessarily those of Turner Construction Company)
Policy Statement
Full time, project safety staff is required on all projects with a contract value in excess of $25 million dollars . It is recommended that the safety staff be assigned prior to the beginning of work, as with other site staff . Additional safety staff may be required when project size is greater than 75 million dollars or risk management plan dictates a need .
Roles and Responsibilities
This safety staff person should perform the following functions prior to and during the life of the project:
Assist the Business Unit Safety Director (BUSD) in creating the site-specific safety program
Setup and implement substance abuse testing
Create and implement a project safety orientation
Create and implement a project incentive program
Attend pre-bid meetings to inform subcontractors of specific project safety requirements
Establish safety pre-planning meetings with all subcontractors and assist the Project Staff in placing meeting times in the project schedule
Meet with and coordinate response from local EMS officials
Conduct project safety audits using the Predictive Solutions SafetyNet Reporting System
Conduct toolbox safety meetings for Turner employees
Establish and maintain site record keeping files
Establish and encourage Project Staff safety auditing requirements
Ensure that all precautions / requirements found in the environmental site assessment are complied with
Other safety requirements as deemed necessary by the BUSD and / or Project Staff
Exhibit 6-2: Example Project Site Safety Manager Job Description
(Used with permission of Turner Construction Company. The opinions and guidance expressed in this handbook are those of the author and not necessarily those of Turner Construction Company) Position Description: The Project Safety and Loss Control Coordinator shall report to the Business Unit Safety and Loss Control Manager . He/she will provide support to the General Manager, Operations Manager, and the Business Unit Staff in an effort to enforce corporate safety and health policies and procedures . In addition to their Business Unit responsibilities, they shall participate in and complete all tasks designated to them by the Business Unit Safety and Loss Control Manager .
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Assist in the development of the project safety program .
Establish and conduct jobsite orientation for every new employee for the project and administer and record their participation in the orientation program and issue identification to those employees completing the orientation program .
Attend all initial meetings with the Project Staff and Subcontractor representatives to clearly define their role within the confines of the Project Safety Program .
Conduct and document pre-planning safety meetings with each subcontractor safety representatives and/or foremen to establish safety procedures prior to subcontractor’s activity on the site .
Establish and conduct regular (weekly) safety meetings with subcontractor representatives and issue minutes of meeting and interface with Project Staff and each Subcontractor Safety Representatives relating to safety regulations to ensure proper compliance .
Ensure that Subcontractors are conducting the proper training requirements as per the DOSH, standards . If necessary, facilitate training for site personnel for compliance with Federal and State standards .
Ensure and maintain a log of each subcontractor’s toolbox safety meetings held with their employees .
Review each Subcontractors Safety Program and ensure that it meets or exceeds the Project Safety Program requirements .
Ensure that each Subcontractor designates a Safety Representative that is properly trained in the DOSH, standards and that person is considered by DOSH, standards, competent for the Subcontractors scope of work and has the proper authority to correct safety issues and hazards relating to their safety compliance . Receive the names of their competent person(s) for their specific work in writing and file
Conduct regular (daily) jobsite and work area inspections . Conduct formal weekly jobsite inspections and complete the safety checklist noting safety violations and corrective actions .
Record, notify and prepare written report of any violations or unsafe practices to Subcontractors for immediate correction actions .
Stop at once any violation or unsafe practice .
Assist Project Superintendent in establishing and implementing proper fire prevention, evacuation and fire control procedures .
Investigate all incidents and generate proper reports .
Establish and maintain all required job safety records .
Conduct a monthly overview safety meeting .
Assist the Claims Coordinator in the management of claims .
Attend Project Staff Meetings to brief the staff on safety issues on the project and coming from the company and to keep informed of the progress of the job .
Qualifications: A four year degree in Safety and Health or equivalent is preferred with at least two (2) years of safety experience or combination of education/multiple years’ experience in building construction, with a working knowledge of safety/environmental principles and techniques . Capable of identifying known/potential exposures and recommending corrective actions . Computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office suite programs . Strong management, leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing .
Physical Demands and Work Environment: Performance of the required duties will require physical ability to climb permanent and temporary stairs, passenger use of construction personnel hoists, ability to climb ladders and negotiate work areas under construction . Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus . Performing this job requires the use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, sit, talk and hear, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl . The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds . While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work on-site at the construction work site where the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts; high precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock . The noise in these work environments is usually moderate to very loud . TURNER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER .
(Used with permission of Turner Construction Company. The opinions and guidance expressed in this handbook are those of the author and not necessarily those of Turner Construction Company)
Exhibit 6-3: Example Construction Safety Intern Job Description
(Used with permission of Turner Construction Company. The opinions and guidance expressed in this handbook are those of the author and not necessarily those of Turner Construction Company) Position Description: The purpose of the internship is to provide the student with supervised practice at the work site and in the continuing daily work of the safety professional . Interns will assist the Project Safety Manager, Superintendent, PM, PX, and BUSD in adhering to company safety and loss control policies . Works on construction projects or in the office to assist in the day-to-day activities associated with safety and loss control . The safety intern shall be supervised by a manager of safety . Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Assists Project Safety Manager, BUSD, PX, PM, and Superintendent in administering and adhering to company safety, health, and environmental policies such as:
Assist in implementation of the project safety program under the direction of the Project Safety Manager or Superintendent
Stopping at once and reporting immediately to the Project Superintendent and Business Unit Director of Safety any violation or unsafe practice where there is an imminent danger to life or property .
Safety coordination duties in such areas as safety committees, preplanning meetings, and tool box meetings .
Participate in training at safety meetings, tool box meetings, and orientations .
Assist in a review of subcontractor safety programs for completeness and compliance with Turner’s policies .
Assist in promoting safe work practices and safe working conditions in accordance with all State, Federal, Local regulations, and owner/contractual requirements .
Participate in administration of a drug screening program (pre-employment, post-accident random and cause) that is consistent with Turner’s or Owner’s requirements .
Assist Project Safety Manager and Superintendent in preconstruction meetings and conducting research as needed . Document those meetings under the direction of supervision .
Assist in conducting jobsite and work area inspections with the Project Safety Manager or Superintendent . Review with the superintendent for distribution to subcontractors and Business Unit Safety Director .
Assist in maintaining safety records, including training records, tool box meetings, maintenance of the OSHA 300 log, maintenance of the MSDS and chemical inventory sheets, incident investigations, and metrics .
Assist in conducting an effective worker orientation program for every new employee and administer and record their participation .
Gather pre-task planning and JHA programs for all project contractors based on contractual requirements and log accordingly .
Qualifications: Working toward a four-year degree in Safety and Health or equivalent is preferred with at least two (2) years of education, and a basic knowledge of safety/environmental principles and techniques . Capable of identifying known potential exposures and recommending corrective actions . Computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office suite programs . Strong management, leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing .
Physical Demands and Work Environment: Performance of the required duties will require physical ability to climb permanent and temporary stairs, passenger use of construction personnel hoists, ability to climb ladders and negotiate work areas under construction . Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus . Performing this job requires use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, sit, talk and hear, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl . Intern must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds . While performing the duties of this job, the intern can work in an office or on-site at the construction work site where the intern is exposed to moving mechanical parts; high precarious places;
fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock . The noise in these work environments is usually moderate to very loud .
(Used with permission of Turner Construction Company. The opinions and guidance expressed in this handbook are those of the author and not necessarily those of Turner Construction Company)