Project Site Safety Officer

Overview

The Project Site Safety Officer (SSO) serves as the Contractor's designated on-site safety representative with full authority to implement, enforce, and oversee all Environmental, Safety, and Health (ES&H) requirements associated with project execution. The SSO is responsible for ensuring compliance with contract requirements, applicable federal regulations, site-specific procedures, and approved safety plans while protecting workers, the public, and the environment. The SSO acts as the primary field safety liaison between the Contractor, subcontractors, CPCCo, project management, and regulatory stakeholders.

The SSO shall be knowledgeable of all project hazards and possess full authority to identify unsafe conditions, stop work, implement corrective actions, and ensure safe work planning and execution throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

Safety Leadership and Program Management

• Administer and implement the project-specific Construction Safety Plan and Contractor Safety Program.
• Ensure work activities comply with:
• 10 CFR 851 Worker Safety and Health Program
• 29 CFR 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards
• 29 CFR 1926 Construction Safety Standards
• Applicable Hanford Site procedures and CPCCo requirements.
• Participate in project planning, hazard identification, work package reviews, and safety planning meetings.
• Ensure Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS) principles are incorporated into all phases of work planning and execution.
• Promote a positive safety culture focused on hazard recognition, employee involvement, continuous improvement, and injury prevention.

Work Planning and Hazard Analysis

• Review project scope and identify hazards associated with construction, demolition, excavation, rigging, electrical work, hazardous materials, industrial hygiene exposures, and other project-specific tasks.
• Develop, review, and maintain Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) for all definable work activities.
• Verify hazard controls are implemented before work begins and remain effective throughout project execution.
• Ensure workers understand project hazards and required protective measures prior to beginning work.

Field Oversight and Inspections

• Conduct frequent and regular inspections of all active work areas to identify safety deficiencies and verify compliance.
• Perform and document daily safety and health inspections of active construction activities.
• Track corrective actions and verify closure of identified deficiencies.
• Monitor subcontractor compliance with contract safety requirements.
• Evaluate housekeeping, equipment condition, work practices, PPE use, and permit compliance.

Stop Work Authority

• Exercise authority to stop any work presenting imminent danger to personnel, the public, property, or the environment.
• Immediately investigate unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, near misses, and emergent hazards.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented and communicated before work resumes.
• Support CPCCo stop-work investigations and recovery activities.

Safety Meetings and Training

• Lead or facilitate daily pre-job safety meetings and shift briefings.
• Verify all workers have completed required site orientation, project-specific training, and regulatory certifications.
• Maintain training records and qualification documentation.
• Support onboarding and orientation of employees and subcontractors.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

• Immediately notify project management and CPCCo representatives of:
• Injuries and illnesses
• Near misses
• Occupational exposures
• Property damage
• Unusual occurrences
• Environmental incidents.  
• Lead or participate in incident investigations.
• Prepare investigation reports and corrective action plans.
• Track and verify completion of corrective actions.

Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health Support

• Coordinate exposure assessments and industrial hygiene monitoring.
• Ensure implementation of respiratory protection requirements when applicable.
• Support employee medical surveillance and Employee Job Task Analysis (EJTA) requirements.
• Review and approve chemical management processes and SDS documentation.

Permit and Specialized Activity Oversight

Coordinate and oversee safety requirements associated with:

• Excavation and trenching
• Hoisting and rigging operations
• Critical lifts
• Confined space entry
• Energized electrical work
• Lockout/Tagout
• Hot work activities
• Fall protection
• Hazardous materials management
• Vehicle and heavy equipment operations
• Chromium VI exposure control activities.

Documentation and Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain project safety records and inspection logs.
• Prepare weekly and monthly safety performance reports.
• Submit required safety documentation to project management and CPCCo.
• Maintain records of:
• Daily inspections
• Training
• JHAs
• Incident investigations
• Exposure monitoring
• Equipment certifications
• Permit compliance.

Qualifications

Education

One of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health, Construction Management, or related field; or
• Associate degree with significant construction safety experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of construction or industrial safety experience.
• Minimum three (3) years serving in a site safety leadership role on heavy industrial, environmental remediation, DOE, utility, nuclear, or construction projects.
• Experience administering contractor safety programs and conducting field safety audits.

Required Training

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Course (preferred minimum).
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Course at a minimum per contract requirements.
• Current Adult First Aid/CPR certification.
• Hanford/CPCCo Contractor Safety Orientation.
• Required site-specific training before mobilization.

Preferred Professional Certifications

One or more of the following:

• CHST (Construction Health and Safety Technician)
• OHST (Occupational Health and Safety Technician)
• ASP (Associate Safety Professional)
• CSP (Certified Safety Professional)
• CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist)
• CSHO (Certified Safety and Health Official)

The contract specifically identifies professional safety certifications such as OHST, CHST, ASP, or CSP as qualifications that may be required for designated safety personnel.

Knowledge and Skills

• Thorough knowledge of OSHA construction and general industry standards.
• Working knowledge of 10 CFR 851 and DOE contractor safety requirements.
• Experience with Job Hazard Analysis development and implementation.
• Knowledge of industrial hygiene monitoring and respiratory protection programs.
• Understanding of excavation safety, electrical safety, fall protection, rigging, confined space, and hazardous material regulations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to conduct investigations and root cause analyses.
• Ability to influence field personnel and subcontractors to achieve compliance and improve safety performance.

Authority

The Project Site Safety Officer shall have unrestricted authority to:

• Stop work for unsafe conditions or acts.
• Remove personnel from work activities when safety requirements are not met.
• Require corrective actions before work proceeds.
• Access all work locations and safety records.
• Communicate directly with CPCCo safety representatives and project management concerning safety issues.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to walk uneven terrain, access excavations, and climb ladders and structures.
• Ability to wear required PPE including respirators when necessary.
• Ability to conduct extensive field inspections throughout active construction and remediation activities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Zero serious injuries or regulatory violations.
• 100% completion of required inspections and safety meetings.
• Timely closure of corrective actions.
• Full compliance with project permits and work controls.
• Completion and submittal of required reports and safety documentation.
• Positive safety culture and active worker participation in hazard identification programs.

Note: This position fulfills the Contractor's contractual requirement for a Designated Safety Representative with full authority for implementation, inspection, hazard correction, worker protection, and project safety oversight during all active construction and field operations.