Safety director jobs can be found in industrial settings such as factories, warehouses, and machine shops. Large retail stores and shopping malls might also hire safety mangers. Still others may work for government agencies, especially those that deal with traffic, highway safety, or public schools.
Factories and machine shops sometimes need to hire safety directors. This is because they often have a variety of machinery that can cause injuries. A safety manager is normally responsible for making sure all equipment is used properly and maintained in good working order. He might also be in charge of keeping facilities free of debris that could cause workers to fall and become injured.
Warehouses often fill safety director jobs if a great deal of automated material handling equipment is used. Safety directors who work in one of these environments might train employees on how to operate forklifts, pallet jacks, or squeeze clamp trucks. They might also inspect both inbound and outbound trucks to see that merchandise is loaded properly and that trailer floors are in good condition.
Retailers often worry about customers being hurt inside the store. People in safety director jobs often check to make sure aisles are clear, exit signs are clearly marked, and wet floor signs are placed where needed. They might also keep ice and snow cleared from both sidewalks and parking lots so individuals can enter safely.
Government agencies also hire safety directors. This might include bureaus that deal with traffic issues, especially in areas where road construction is underway. Safety directors could be responsible for making sure lanes are clearly marked and construction equipment is operated safely. The safety director might also impose fines against citizens who operate a vehicle unsafely in areas where an accident is likely to occur.
Safety director jobs are also found in public school systems. Directors can be responsible for conducting fire drills and making sure sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers are inspected on a regular basis. The safety director might also try to prevent weapons from being brought into classrooms. Filing reports on staff and student injuries might also be part of the safety director's duties.
Preventing injuries to employees, customers, and members of the public is an important task to undertake. This is often accomplished by hiring people to implement good safety practices in the workplace. By hiring a safety director, executives can often reduce the number of accidents, which can save their business both time and money in the long run.
