Health and Safety Inspector Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

From overseeing restaurants to factories, health and safety inspectors do the important work of ensuring that businesses follow the regulations put in place to keep workers as well as customers safe and well. They investigate accidents to see what went wrong and what protocols might be improved. They also make sure that restaurants make corrections to ensure the safety of the food they serve. Various specialties exist, including product safety, fire safety, and food safety. If you have excellent communication skills and a mind for critical thinking and creative solutions, [Your Company Name] might be the perfect place for you to work as a health and safety inspector.

Typical duties and responsibilities

• Promote safety awareness in both work practices and company culture
• Understand EPA, OSHA, MSHA, and DOT regulations and assure company compliance with them 
• Assist in the development and implementation of EHS (Environmental Health and Safety) procedures, policies, and guidelines
• Conduct inspections and audits, as required, to ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulations
• Assist in mitigation of identified hazardous conditions or unsafe acts 
• Participate in incident investigations and assist with the development of corrective actions
• Conduct EHS safety training

Education and experience

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in a scientific or technical field. Employers typically prefer job candidates who have certification from the National Environmental Health Association.

Required skills and qualifications

• Knowledge of environmental laws and health policy
• Ability to use air, soil, and water sampling tools
• Excellent oral and written communications skills 
• Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analysis skills
• Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, database software, and analytical and scientific programs

Preferred qualifications

• 2+ years of experience working as a health and safety inspector
• Excellent attention to detail
• Passion for safety
• Strong attention to detail

Duties and responsibilities

• Identify and report data for Client/Project safety, health, environmental, and quality activities
• Identify and report Client/Project Performance Indicators (KPIs) where health, safety, and quality are concerned
• Responsible for developing, monitoring, and reporting compliance activities
• Submits daily reports for review and approval
• Perform complex studies and analyze data to identify process improvement opportunities
• Continuous monitoring of all projects related activities to ensure alignment with and adherence to all Health & Safety, Quality and Environmental Management systems and plans
• Review of all contractors submitted safety, health, environmental, and quality plans prior to construction, ensuring plans adequately cover Client/Project requirements and then monitor activity for adherence to approved plans
• Attend construction kick-off meetings to encourage and enforce compliance to Client/Project SHEQ requirements and conduct site visits to monitor compliance activities on all projects
• Facilitate safety meetings with both internal and external personnel, training of SOP’s and various miscellaneous initiatives as requested. This includes development and presentation of material to support training, initiatives, etc.
• Assist project Managers in the development of all project QMS/EMS documentation
• Regularly visit active project construction sites to ensure compliance to all project safety, quality, and environmental requirements
• Provide advice to contractor(s) on health & safety, quality, and environmental issues
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures
• Understands, trains, and enforces “Stop Work” principle
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs

Required qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• 11 years experience in project safety, health, environment, and/or quality is required
• Specific experience working in field with various construction disciplines
• Experience with long, linear utility transmission construction
• Capable interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience
• Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek
• This position is subject to and contingent upon client approval of candidates put forth for consideration by WSP

Preferred qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree
• 3+ years construction safety experience with a diverse project background.
• 3+ years of experience working on underground high voltage transmission lines
• Completed an OSHA 30 Hour Outreach Construction Course
• CSP or CUSP certification

Additional requirements

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions

Under the general supervision of higher-level staff, the EHS Inspector develops and implements laboratory, monitoring, testing, and administrative duties to ensure CSWR’s compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory agency requirements pertaining to water and wastewater.

Responsibilities

• Track and prepare reports on all permits and environmental compliance testing across CSWR’s wastewater and drinking water systems
• Prepare proper documentation for all permit renewals
• Act as liaison on behalf of CSWR with local, state, and federal regulatory governing agencies
• Track progress and completion on all permit compliance schedules, terms and conditions, tasks, and dates of standard operating procedures for CSWR and for all CSWR vendors
• Assist with CMMS service area buildouts
• Assist with CMMS GIS mapping
• Support Auditors in completing the CSWR required site visits
• Participate in all CSWR safety training
• Coordinate with the O&M Partner on the following:
• Work with regional manager on Annual review of emergency response plans developed for each facility
• Runs reports and track violations with the regulatory database that has been established for all CSWR sites
• Partake in the monthly operations meetings that are held with contractors to review any monthly violations
• Ensure that proper sampling schedules are established within the CMMS so that sampling requirements are completed
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and related regulatory guidelines pertaining to water and wastewater; procedures, practices, and regulations of water and wastewater sampling; standard methods, techniques, and equipment used in the field sampling and laboratory testing of water and wastewater
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques for facility inspections
• The basic principles and techniques of organic chemistry and microbiology and related water and wastewater treatment principles and practices
• Ability to conduct sampling and testing of water and wastewater
• Work in compliance with CSWR policies and guidelines at all times
• All other duties as assigned

Education and experience required

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5 plus years of water/wastewater utility experience
• Advanced level knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite

The incumbent is responsible for the overall planning, organizing, and providing Safety inspections for all assigned utility/facility/area.

Duties and job functions

• Assists in Implementing and maintaining the corporate safety program
• Plans, organizes, and provides Safety inspections for all assigned utilities/facilities/areas
• Identifies and works compliance issues as they apply to the functional operation of this contract
• Implements and helps maintain the Safety Plans that are tailored to the contract and encompass all facets of the functional operation of the contract
• Inspects work for discrepancies in accordance with the Safety plan and contract requirements
• Conducts inspections of contract functions to ensure compliance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS)
• Completes necessary inspection reports and documentation required to support findings
• Focuses on maintaining a safety compliant workplace
• Helps maintain the CMMS, its associated databases and update as required to provide for accurate reports regarding Safety status
• Assists in developing & disseminating plans and procedures for the Safety programs and/or operating policies
• Assists in reviewing site work to verify compliance in accordance with applicable plans, procedures, guides, and regulations
• Assists in preparing incident reports and document analysis, cause/effect, and actions taken (photos as required)
• Assists in monitoring the performance of subcontractors with respect to safety
• Assists in the development of a pollution prevention program (as required)
• Plans and organizes work to meet schedules and timelines in an environment with constantly changing priorities
• Responds to emergency site maintenance as required or requested
• Originates necessary documents, forms, reports, etc. and queries various computer work systems to extract information concerning projects, materials, or services

Responsible for

• The proper use of tools and equipment commonly used in the Safety Inspector field
• Completing all mandated training requirements per government and management directives
• Timely and cost-effective performance of duties
• Timely completion and accuracy of all departmental work
• Dealing with a variety of people in a professional, courteous manner in diversified situations
• Adherence to established company safety policies and good industrial and office safety practices
• Compliance with company Standard Operating Procedures and Personnel policies and procedures
• Having the ability to work well under pressure

Desired skills and experience

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Two (2) years previous experience working as a safety inspector
• Valid state driver’s license with acceptable driving record
• Ability to successfully pass any background checks, security checks, and/or drug testing required on the contract
• U.S. Citizenship
• Associates degree in Safety or Environmental Field
• Completion of the OSHA 30-hour safety class or equivalent within the last five years
• Current SECRET Security Clearance