Are Safety Professionals Meeting Their Real Responsibilities Today? Let's Discuss!

Dear Friends,

Let's have a debate regarding the roles and responsibilities of safety professionals. What duties should a safety professional undertake, and what are they actually doing in today's scenario?

With regards,
Dipil Kumar V

Dear Dipil sir,

Good subject. Here, I want to brief you on what our safety personnel are doing. In my organization, our safety officer is responsible for everything related to safety: process safety, storage safety, electrical safety, emergency system maintenance, training, hot work, height safety, vessel entry, safety valve and breather valve checks for tanks, flame arrestor checks, safety awareness, providing shoes, helmets, and masks to contractor workers, insurance, tasks related to factory inspectors, factory medical officers, and CCE-related work. Frankly speaking, he is overloaded. He conducts risk assessments, coordinates safety audits with external parties, follows up for compliance, conducts first aid and accident analyses, and manages annual safety budgeting, among other tasks.

Abhay

Dear Friends,

This is determined by evaluating the variety of hazards about which the safety professional must advise and the range of skills involved in recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hazards. Examples of skills include analysis, synthesis, design, investigation, planning, administration, and communication.

There are many positions in the profession such as Safety Directors, consultants, trainers, managers, engineers, superintendents, supervisors, inspectors, officers, advisors, assistants, etc. Each of these designations carries different responsibilities. However, many people mistakenly believe that all these roles entail the same safety job, despite the differing titles. This assumption is incorrect.

During the seventies, I was asked the following question, which I have since shared with many: "Can anyone try to come out with the difference between the duties and responsibilities of a safety engineer and a safety officer, please?"

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Dear Abhay,

Nice, your safety man has made a very good impression on you. If he does all those you have mentioned himself, I doubt "he must have supernatural powers."

It is a safety man's responsibility to take care of all those. He has only staff functions. He has no line function. He gets things done through the line/top management. Things that cannot be done with the line management; he takes to the next level and to the highest level where necessary. Persistence - that is his slogan - get things done for ensuring safety.

To oversee all those functions you have mentioned takes only a part of his time. But being a responsible safety man who takes pride in his profession, he considers himself accountable for any failure. Because of this, like a busy bee, he is always mobile.

Administration, communication, documentation, and coordination take most of his time.

However, those safety officers who consider the profession as a divine one - saving the lives of often ignorant employees - one never feels overloaded. For a safety man, it is not work but seeking pleasure - pleasure in doing the divine service.

Regards,

Kesava Pillai

Dear Abhay,

First of all, appreciating your efforts in participating in the debates related to Safety even though you are from an HR background.

As an HR professional, you can play a vital role in bringing about a drastic change in the culture of your organization. Now, as per your reply, the safety officer is considered the whole and sole of the safety function in your company. He can coordinate all activities related to safety in your plant but cannot be solely responsible for all safety-related activities. Introducing the concept that Safety is a Line Management Responsibility is crucial. Link safety to the Key Result Areas (KRAs) of line management personnel. This shift will undoubtedly lead to change. Make them responsible and accountable for safety. Initiate this change within your company, and it will certainly prove beneficial in the future.

With regards,
Dipil

Dear Sir,

First of all, thank you for your motivational reply.

Let me attempt to respond:

Safety Officer is the term mentioned in the act. There is no term "Safety Engineer" or specific responsibility mentioned in the act. Typically, the title of officer is given to individuals from non-technical departments. Additionally, the act requires the presence of a qualified Safety Officer (which can also be considered as a Safety Engineer) within the workforce. This implies that even a person from a non-engineering background can assume the role of a Safety Officer. Moreover, the officer may focus more on coordination rather than administrative duties.

In contrast, for a Safety Engineer, qualifications are crucial. For instance, in a chemical firm, one must have a background in Chemical Engineering along with additional safety qualifications. This is because skills such as hazard analysis and process understanding are challenging for non-technical individuals. A Safety Engineer may primarily have administrative responsibilities rather than an officer's role.

Regarding roles and responsibilities, in my opinion, both positions share similar functions such as coordination, assistance, advisory tasks, training, and facilitating.

Lastly, I prefer using the term Safety Professional. There is a significant demand for professionals in the market who can drive organizational change, regardless of their qualifications. A Safety Professional views safety as a core value in life, a passion to uphold, and a way of life.

I look forward to hearing your valuable views on the topic.

With regards,

Dipil Kumar V

Friends,

Though the Factories Act/Rules specify, generally, the responsibilities of a safety officer in the industry are as detailed below:

1. Advise management on the following:

- Ways to prevent injury to personnel, damage to plant and/or equipment, and fires.
- Ways to improve existing work methods.
- Statutory requirements affecting safety, health, and welfare.
- Provision and use of protective clothing and equipment.
- Potential hazards at work and on the safety organization and fire precautions required.
- Changes in safety requirements.

2. Carry out safety surveys to ensure that only safe work methods are in operation, that health and safety requirements are being observed, and welfare and first aid facilities are adequate and properly maintained.

3. Determine the cause of any accident (or dangerous occurrence) and recommend means of preventing recurrence.

4. Supervise the recording and analysis of information on injuries, damage, and production loss. Assess accident trends and review overall safety performance.

5. Assist with safety training of employees at all levels.

6. Take part in discussions on injury, damage, and loss control.

7. Keep up-to-date with recommended codes of practice and safety literature. Circulate information applicable to each level of employees.

8. Foster within the company an understanding that injury prevention and damage control are an integral part of business and operational efficiency.

9. Attend meetings where safety is an item on the agenda. Report on job safety performance.

Regards,

Kesava Pillai

I have read the posts in this discussion with interest. I find that in my neck of the woods, Nigeria, safety is given mere lip service for the most part. It is primarily the major oil companies that appear to take it seriously. However, even they seem to lack a full understanding of the importance of safety. Let me provide you with an example:

I run a cleaning firm, and my cleaners were once instructed to wear 'Steel Toe Capped Boots' while cleaning offices. It was only after I highlighted the cost of the boots for all the cleaners that the person in charge backed down. Later, I discovered that she had previously worked as a secretary and was assigned the safety role simply because there was no other position available for her.

She had received no training as a safety officer or in any safety-related aspect. I found that quite disheartening.

Dayo Johnson

What are the career opportunities for safety professionals in India, and are these courses recognized by the Government of India?

In India, safety professionals have a range of career opportunities across various industries such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and information technology. The demand for qualified safety professionals is on the rise due to increasing awareness of workplace safety regulations and the importance of creating a safe work environment.

It is essential for individuals aspiring to pursue a career in safety to enroll in courses that are recognized by the Government of India. These courses provide the necessary knowledge and skills required to excel in the field of safety management and ensure compliance with national safety standards.

By obtaining certifications from recognized institutions and completing government-approved courses, safety professionals can enhance their career prospects and contribute effectively to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment in India.

Dear Friends,

First of all, I am appreciating all for initiating such good debates.

A Safety Officer is an Advisor. The primary responsibility of a Safety Officer is to ensure the workplace is safe for the workers. They may ensure the same as per local regulations like the Factories Act, etc.

He must ensure compliance with Chapter IV of the Factories Act 1948 and other regulations like MSIHC Rules or any laws relevant to their industry. He must respond immediately, report to the concerned area In-Charge, and then to the Unit Head regarding any non-compliance.

An EHS engineer combines roles. We have to merge the environmental responsibilities with the existing safety responsibilities.

The Safety Officer shall implement the following systems:

1. Policy on Health and Safety
2. Procedures on Health and Safety
3. Practices of Health and Safety
4. Hazard and Risk Assessment
5. EHS Inspections/Audits
6. Hazard Communication
7. Hazardous area classification
8. Permit to Work Systems
9. Safe handling of Hazardous Chemicals
10. Physical environment of the workplace
11. Workplace monitoring
12. Occupational Health Center & First aid boxes
13. Medical Surveillance
14. Installation and maintenance of safety equipment
15. Selection & Maintenance of PPE
16. EHS Committee meetings
17. Management of Change
18. Training and Awareness of personnel
19. Near-miss/Incident/Accident reporting and investigation
20. Chemical Spill Control procedure
21. Emergency Preparedness and Response
22. Training and awareness of Personnel
23. Safety Regulations

Thanks and Regards,

Srinivasa Rao. M (Kundu B)