Safety Officer 4

POSITION SUMMARY:

Safety Officer 4 (SO4) is the highest-ranking safety professional within an organization, entrusted with the strategic leadership, governance, and oversight of the entire Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management system. This role is pivotal in ensuring that the company’s safety practices are not only compliant with national regulations (e.g., DOLE OSH Standards) but also aligned with international best practices and corporate objectives.

SO4 serves as the principal advisor to senior management on all matters related to workplace safety, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. They lead the development of safety policies, design enterprise-wide safety programs, and ensure that safety initiatives are integrated into the company’s operational and strategic planning.

In addition to managing high-level audits, incident investigations, and regulatory engagements, SO4 is responsible for mentoring and developing the safety workforce, including SO1 to SO3 personnel. They also play a key role in budgeting, resource allocation, and performance monitoring of safety systems across multiple sites or business units.

This position demands extensive experience, advanced training, and exceptional leadership skills, as SO4 must navigate complex safety challenges, drive continuous improvement, and foster a proactive safety culture throughout the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. SAFETY OPERATIONS
•Oversee the entire safety management system across multiple sites or departments.
•Evaluate effectiveness of operational safety controls.
•Standardize safety procedures across business units.
•Lead company-wide emergency preparedness programs.

2. SAFETY GOVERNANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT, AND COMPLIANCE

•Develop and implement corporate safety governance frameworks.
•Serve as primary liaison with regulatory bodies for audits, inspections, and compliance.
•Ensure full legal compliance across all operations.
•Ensure alignment of safety programs with national OSH laws and international standards.
•Lead high-level strategic risk assessments and mitigation planning.

3. SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND STRATEGY
•Serve as the company’s senior safety advisor and strategist.
•Develop corporate-wide safety policies, strategic plans and performance indicators.
•Lead corporate-wide safety initiatives and culture-building.
•Advise senior leadership on safety trends and priorities.
•Oversee budgeting and resource allocation for safety programs.
•Mentor and train lower-level safety officers.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
•Prepares and manages the safety department’s budget.
•Oversees procurement of safety equipment and services.
•Conducts cost-benefit analysis of safety initiatives.
•Ensures cost-effective compliance with safety regulations

QUALIFICATIONS:
•Completion of 40-hour Basic OSH Training + 80-hour Advanced/Specialized OSH Training.
•Minimum of 320 hours of OSH-related training or experience.
•Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Occupational Health, Safety Engineering, or related field.
•Extensive experience in safety leadership roles.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
•Expert-level understanding of OSH laws, standards, and strategic safety planning.
•Capable of designing and leading corporate-wide safety programs.
•Strong analytical, documentation, and policy development skills.
•Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Physical Demands:
•Occasional site visits requiring mobility and PPE use.
•Primarily office-based but must be field-ready for audits and emergencies.
•May work extended hours during incident response or compliance reviews.

Work Environment:
•Corporate or multi-site settings with complex safety needs.
•Leads safety teams and collaborates with senior management.
•Regular interaction with DOLE, OSHC, and external auditors.