What does a Principal Safety Coordinator do?
Safety coordinators work to ensure that other employees at their company can complete their work safely. They set safety standards for their workplace based on legal requirements and train employees to help them understand these rules. Safety coordinators also monitor working conditions and resolve any safety issues that may arise. They typically work in industrial settings, including factories, construction sites and workshops.
To successfully work in this role, you should have an understanding of how the machinery and other equipment in your company operates. Some jobs may require that applicants be registered as Certified Safety Professionals (CSP). To receive this certification, you must have a bachelor's degree and four years of work experience as a safety officer before passing the CSP exam. Safety officers typically have good communication and critical thinking skills as well.
- Create and implement safety plans while ensuring that they are being followed daily
- Conduct safety observation reports on a regular basis, depending on the length of the project
- Attend safety walks and inspections before or during each project to analyze safety risks
- Educate employees on safety standards and expectations as well as safe machinery operation
- Provide recommendations for improving safety in the workplace
- Investigate accidents that occur onsite and identify possible causes of the accident
- Maintain documentation of the company's safety procedures, accidents and related events
- Act as a liaison between management and external safety agencies, such as fire and insurance personnel
- Bachelor's degree in health and safety or a related field may be preferred
- Registration as a Certified Safety Professional or similar form of licensure as a safety officer
- Experience with PowerPoint, Excel and auditor safety software
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation
- Understanding of federal, state and city safety requirements, including OSHA
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time while meeting deadlines
- Interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish effective professional relationships with employees and project managers
- Understanding of how to read blueprints and other construction plans preferred in some fields
- Leadership skills, such as the ability to motivate a team and provide feedback
Principal Safety Coordinator Career Path
Learn how to become a Principal Safety Coordinator, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Average Years of Experience
Principal Safety Coordinator Insights
Cal Poly Pomona“Good way to make money if you live on campus and don't have a car.”
Mason Construction“The pay scale is average and honestly don’t have much else to say about cons.”
PMP Recruitment“While training and communication could be better it is no worse than many other jobs I have done.”
UPS“UPS promoted from within when I was there so there were many opportunities to advance.”
Playworks“Team members are not all on the same page and interactions seem disingenuous.”
Mitie“Good pay and shift pattern was good.”
Adams 12 Five Star Schools“I always knew my work schedule way in advance and this made planning out my personal life so much easier.”
Safety Circle“I've been able to grow professionally and personally and have developed meaningful friendships and relationships.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Principal Safety Coordinator
When working as a Principal Safety Coordinator, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Dependencies, English Language, Faxing, Conducting and Security Clearance.
- Engineer
- Safety Engineer
- Ehs Specialist
- Safety Manager
The most common qualifications to become a Principal Safety Coordinator is a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.