Safety Manager

Velocity Safety Advisors; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Velocity Safety Advisors is seeking an experienced Safety Manager for a direct-hire, field-based role in Columbus, OH. You will own the safety program across operations, partnering with project management, field leadership, employees, contractors, and external stakeholders to turn safety requirements into real-world behaviors.

Expect a hands-on leader who balances regulatory compliance, training, incident management, site inspections, safety equipment, and program development.

Qualifications

• Experience as Safety Manager or in a senior safety leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and construction/industrial safety.
• Current OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety certification.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification.
• Knowledge of trenching and excavation standards.
• Knowledge of heavy equipment and safe operating practices.
• Experience with OSHA reporting and compliance, DOT regulations and incident management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and continuous improvement of the safety program.
• Lead field safety inspections and ensure timely corrective actions.
• Deliver onboarding and safety training for staff and managers.
• Coordinate OSHA, DOT, and other regulatory reporting and compliance.
• Manage safety equipment inspection and provisioning.
• Promote drug-free workplace policies and safety culture.
• Develop and monitor annual safety budget.
• Partner with project management and field leadership on safety goals.

Skills

Safety leadership

OSHA regulations knowledge

Incident & case management

Field inspections

Employee training

Verbal/written communication

Travel up to 50%

Education

Bachelor's degree in Safety or related

Job description

Immediate Opportunity | Full-Time | Field-Based | Direct Hire

Velocity Safety Advisors is actively recruiting an experienced Safety Manager for a direct-hire opportunity with a growing client organization.

Are you a safety professional who leads from the field, builds credibility with employees and management, and knows how to turn safety requirements into real-world behaviors?

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Safety Manager to take ownership of an organization's safety program while working directly with Project Management, field leadership, employees, contractors, and external stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on safety leader who is comfortable balancing regulatory compliance, employee engagement, training, incident management, field inspections, safety equipment, and program development. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the organization's overall safety culture and performance.

What You'll Do

As the Safety Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the company's safety program, ensuring that safety initiatives, regulatory requirements, company policies, and site-specific expectations are effectively implemented throughout the organization.

Safety Program Leadership

• Take overall responsibility for the development, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of the company's safety program.
• Monitor safety initiatives, performance, trends, and findings and communicate results and recommendations to management.
• Ensure internal safety processes align with OSHA, federal, state, and local regulations, industry standards, company policies, and site-specific requirements.
• Provide leadership and education regarding safety best practices and regulatory compliance.
• Develop strategies to reduce injuries, incidents, and workplace exposures while strengthening the company's safety culture.
• Partner with management to establish safety goals, objectives, initiatives, and performance expectations.

Field Safety & Inspections

• Conduct regular job site safety inspections and communicate findings to onsite personnel and management.
• Complete a minimum of five documented job site inspections per week.
• Provide inspection results to required internal and external stakeholders in a timely and visible manner.
• Identify unsafe conditions, behaviors, and regulatory exposures and facilitate appropriate corrective actions.
• Follow up on corrective actions to ensure identified concerns are properly addressed.
• Evaluate changing site conditions and recommend appropriate safety controls.
• Maintain a strong and visible field presence while building relationships with supervisors and field personnel.

Training & Employee Development

• Conduct safety-related on-boarding for new employees.
• Train Project Managers, supervisors, and field associates on their roles and responsibilities within the safety program.
• Provide education on company safety policies, OSHA requirements, site-specific safety plans, and industry best practices.
• Develop and deliver safety meetings, toolbox talks, training sessions, and other safety communications.
• Identify additional training needs and coordinate appropriate educational opportunities.
• Promote employee engagement and accountability throughout the safety program.
• Serve as the primary safety contact for project-site injuries, first-aid cases, illnesses, and incidents, including after-hours notifications when necessary.
• Lead or assist with incident investigations and documentation.
• Ensure appropriate reporting, follow-up, and case management processes are completed.
• Work closely with management regarding workers' compensation matters and employee case management.
• Identify trends and implement corrective and preventative measures to reduce recurrence.
• Maintain appropriate safety and incident documentation.

Regulatory Compliance

• Manage and support OSHA reporting, compliance, and documentation.
• Coordinate applicable DOT regulatory requirements, reporting, and compliance.
• Work closely with DOT, OUPS, BWC, and other applicable regulatory or governmental entities.
• Serve as the safety liaison between the company, clients, general contractors, subcontractors, and government agencies.
• Assist with the interpretation and implementation of safety-related requirements.
• Monitor changes to applicable regulations and communicate relevant updates to management and field personnel.

Safety Equipment & Resources

• Inspect and maintain safety equipment to ensure it is available, functional, and properly maintained.
• Oversee safety equipment including, but not limited to:
• Gas monitors
• Chains and slings
• Ladders
• Shields
• Safety boxes
• Other project-specific safety equipment
• Identify equipment needs and work with management to determine appropriate solutions.
• Order safety supplies and equipment as needed.
• Ensure appropriate safety resources are available to support field operations.

Drug-Free Workplace & Safety Culture

• Promote and administer the company's drug-free workplace policy.
• Educate management regarding drug-free workplace best practices and the importance of maintaining a safe and productive work environment.
• Assist management with appropriate safety-related employee concerns.
• Promote accountability while maintaining a positive, respectful, and solutions-oriented safety culture.

Safety Budget & Program Planning

• Develop, monitor, and track the annual safety budget.
• Work with management to identify current and future safety equipment, training, and program needs.
• Evaluate safety investments and recommend resources that will improve employee protection and operational performance.
• Assist leadership with long-term safety planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for a safety professional who combines technical knowledge, field experience, leadership, and exceptional communication skills.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in a Safety Manager or comparable safety leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and construction/industrial safety practices.
• Current OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety certification.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification.
• Knowledge of trenching and excavation standards.
• Knowledge of heavy equipment and safe operating practices.
• Experience with:
• OSHA reporting and compliance
• DOT regulations and compliance
• Incident and case management
• Workers' compensation
• Job site inspections
• Employee safety training (Corrected closing tag).
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate with employees, supervisors, project managers, executives, contractors, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other applicable operational/safety software.
• Ability to travel to construction sites up to approximately 50% of the work week.
• Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Safety, Occupational Safety & Health, Environmental Health & Safety, or a related discipline.
• BCSP certification such as CHST, ASP, or CSP.
• Additional OSHA certifications or trainer credentials.
• Construction, industrial, utility, energy, infrastructure, or heavy civil safety experience.
• Experience working with general contractors, subcontractors, and multiple project stakeholders.
• Experience developing and managing company-wide safety programs.

The Right Candidate

We're looking for more than a compliance officer.

The right Safety Manager will be a visible, engaged, and influential leader who understands that successful safety programs are built through relationships, communication, accountability, and consistency.

You should be comfortable walking a jobsite, talking directly with employees, challenging unsafe conditions, coaching supervisors, working with Project Managers, and presenting safety information to senior leadership.

You will need the confidence to make difficult safety decisions, the communication skills to explain why those decisions matter, and the practical experience to develop solutions that work in real-world field environments.

Candidates must be willing to successfully complete applicable pre-employment requirements, including:

• Background check
• MVR/driving record verification
• Verification of education, certifications, and qualifications
• Client/company-specific onboarding requirements

Travel to construction and project sites of up to approximately 50% is required.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're ready to take ownership of a safety program and make a measurable impact on people, operations, and organizational performance, we want to hear from you.

This is a direct-hire opportunity, offering an experienced safety professional the chance to become an integral part of the client's leadership team and play a key role in shaping its safety culture and future.

Velocity Safety Advisors specializes in recruiting safety professionals—not simply filling jobs. We understand the technical requirements, certifications, field realities, and leadership qualities that make exceptional safety professionals successful.

Bring your experience. Bring your leadership. Bring your commitment to safety.

Velocity Safety Advisors

Safety Expertise. Field Leadership. The Right Safety Professional for the Right Organization.