Director of Health and Safety
Position Summary
The Director of Health and Safety is responsible for leading the Company’s safety and risk management strategy across construction projects, field operations, fleet activities, and corporate functions. This role proactively develops, implements, and improves programs that promote a safe, healthy, compliant, and accident-free work environment for employees, clients, subcontractors, and the public.
The Director of Health and Safety provides leadership to the safety organization, partners closely with Operations and Field Leadership, and serves as the Company’s primary resource for safety program development, regulatory compliance, incident prevention, claims support, and continuous improvement. The position requires strong leadership, sound judgment, clear communication, and the ability to influence a safety-first culture at all levels of the organization.
Reporting Relationship and Leadership Responsibility
The Director of Health and Safety reports directly to the President/CEO and maintains proactive, frequent, and transparent communication regarding safety performance, emerging risks, regulatory matters, claims activity, and program priorities. This role leads the safety team and provides direction, coaching, accountability, and support to safety personnel across the organization.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Safety Leadership and Program Management
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Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Company-wide health, safety, and risk management programs.
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Partner with Safety Managers, Safety Specialists, Construction Managers, Directors, and Field Supervisors to maintain safe job sites and reduce hazards, incidents, and claims.
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Conduct and oversee safety inspections, field observations, audits, and follow-up activities to verify compliance and drive corrective action.
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Establish expectations, priorities, and performance standards for the safety team.
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Promote a proactive safety culture focused on prevention, accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.
Risk Management, Claims, and Incident Response
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Lead or oversee investigations of incidents, injuries, near misses, property damage, vehicle accidents, and unsafe conditions.
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Identify root causes, recommend corrective actions, and verify that corrective measures are completed and effective.
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Support the Company’s workers’ compensation program, including coordination with internal personnel, third-party administrators, legal counsel, insurers, and injured employees.
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Develop strategies to reduce claim frequency, claim severity, and overall cost of risk.
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Analyze incident trends, loss data, and safety metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and reduce the Company’s experience modifier and insurance costs.
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Coordinate the preparation of information, documentation, and evidence needed for claims, hearings, lawsuits, insurance reviews, and regulatory inquiries.
Training and Employee Development
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Develop, coordinate, and deliver safety training programs for employees, managers, supervisors, and field personnel.
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Ensure training programs address job site safety practices, safe equipment operation, hazard recognition, incident reporting, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements.
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Oversee employee safety training records and confirm that required training is completed, documented, and maintained.
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Ensure new employees receive appropriate safety orientation before beginning work, including instruction on site-specific hazards, required precautions, and Company safety expectations.
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Provide coaching and guidance to safety personnel and operational leaders to improve consistency, communication, and safety performance.
Compliance and Regulatory Oversight
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Maintain knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local safety regulations and communicate changes that may impact Company operations.
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Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies, procedures, programs, and documentation for field and office operations.
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Serve as the Company’s primary contact for safety-related regulatory authorities, including OSHA and other applicable agencies.
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Ensure required safety recordkeeping and reporting is completed accurately and timely.
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Support subcontractor safety management, including review of prequalification documentation, job-specific safety programs, and ongoing compliance expectations.
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Oversee compliance with safety data sheet, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, traffic control, excavation, confined space, fall protection, fleet safety, and other applicable safety requirements.
Fleet Safety and Driver Risk Management
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Manage and oversee the Company’s fleet safety program in partnership with Fleet, Operations, and Human Resources.
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Support driver qualification processes, motor vehicle record reviews, background investigations, post-accident reviews, and corrective action recommendations.
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Monitor vehicle-related incidents and identify opportunities to improve driver safety, reduce accidents, and strengthen accountability.
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Promote compliance with Company fleet policies, DOT-related standards where applicable, and customer or project-specific requirements.
Communication, Reporting, and Organizational Support
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Provide regular updates to the President/CEO, Operations leadership, and other stakeholders regarding safety performance, key risks, incidents, corrective actions, and program initiatives.
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Develop and maintain safety dashboards, reports, logs, metrics, and other documentation used to monitor performance and guide decision-making.
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Represent the Company in industry, community, customer, and regulatory safety discussions as appropriate.
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Build positive working relationships with employees, clients, subcontractors, co-workers, and management through clear communication and professional conduct.
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Participate in regular safety meetings, share relevant safety topics, and support consistent safety messaging across the organization.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Expectations
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Minimum of 10 years of direct safety experience in the construction industry, preferably in utility, telecommunications, infrastructure, or field-based operations.
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Bachelor’s degree in safety management, occupational health, environmental science, industrial hygiene, or a related field preferred.
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Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), or similar safety certification preferred.
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Strong working knowledge of OSHA requirements, workers’ compensation processes, incident investigation, safety training, and construction risk management.
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Experience leading safety personnel, influencing field operations, and implementing practical safety solutions in a fast-paced environment.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and the ability to use safety systems, reporting platforms, and data to monitor trends and drive improvement.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage employees at all levels of the organization.
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Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, manage competing priorities, and lead with professionalism, urgency, and accountability.
