Safety Manager - Construction

Hatched Recruitment Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hatched Recruitment Group is partnering with a specialist heavy civil and underground construction contractor to appoint an experienced Safety Manager. The role focuses on leading safety operations across complex underground projects and is hands-on in the field around excavation, trenching and confined spaces.

The successful candidate will own project safety, develop site-specific plans, conduct audits, and deliver OSHA training while collaborating with project teams to uphold a strong safety

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of safety experience within underground construction.
• Strong experience supporting excavation, trenching and underground operations.
• Experience with confined-space entry programs and active field operations.
• Solid understanding of OSHA construction standards, including 29 CFR 1926.

Responsibilities

• Owns project safety across active construction sites with site teams.
• Develops and implements site-specific safety plans and procedures.
• Conducts jobsite inspections, safety audits and hazard assessments.
• Oversees trenching, excavation, shoring and underground activities safety.
• Manages confined-space entry procedures, permits, atmospheric testing and emergency planning.
• Leads job hazard analyses, pre-task planning and toolbox talks.
• Delivers OSHA-related training and supports field teams’ development.
• Investigates incidents, near misses and property damage and completes corrective actions.
• Maintains safety records, permits and training documentation.
• Collaborates with project managers, superintendents, subcontractors and clients to resolve safety concerns.

Skills

Safety management

Underground safety experience

OSHA standards

Leadership

Communication

Job description

We are working with a specialist heavy civil and underground construction contractor to appoint an experienced Safety Manager to lead safety operations across complex underground projects.

This is a hands-on, field-focused position for someone who understands the realities of working around excavation, trenching, confined spaces and underground construction activities. You will play a key role in developing and maintaining a strong safety culture while working closely with project management, field supervision and site teams.

What You'll Be Doing

You will take ownership of project safety across active construction sites, including:

• Developing and implementing site-specific safety plans and procedures.
• Conducting jobsite inspections, safety audits and hazard assessments.
• Supporting safe working practices across trenching, excavation, shoring and underground construction activities.
• Overseeing confined-space entry procedures, permitting, atmospheric testing and emergency planning.
• Identifying and managing hazards associated with tunnelling and underground work.
• Leading job hazard analyses, pre-task planning, toolbox talks and safety orientations.
• Delivering OSHA-related training and supporting the ongoing development of field teams.
• Investigating incidents, near misses and property damage and implementing corrective actions.
• Maintaining safety records, inspection reports, permits and training documentation.
• Working closely with project managers, superintendents, subcontractors and clients to resolve safety concerns.
• Supporting emergency-response planning and exercising stop-work authority when required.
• Tracking safety performance and identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced construction safety professional with:

• At least 5 years of safety experience within underground construction, with more extensive experience preferred.
• Strong experience supporting excavation, trenching and underground construction operations.
• Experience with confined-space entry programs and active field operations.
• A strong understanding of OSHA construction standards, including 29 CFR 1926.
• Current OSHA 500 certification.
• Experience conducting safety audits, incident investigations, job hazard analyses and employee training.
• The ability to identify hazards and implement practical solutions within active construction environments.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Experience within heavy civil construction, underground utilities, shafts, tunneling or similar specialist construction environments would be particularly valuable.

Additional certifications such as CSP, CHST, trenching competent person or confined-space rescue training would also be advantageous.

You’ll Get to Expand Your Experience In

This opportunity will give you the chance to take a leading role in safety across technically challenging underground construction projects.

You will work closely with experienced project and field teams while helping to shape safety practices across a growing portfolio of complex projects. The role offers a high level of visibility, responsibility and the opportunity to make a genuine impact on how projects are delivered safely.

Regular travel between company locations and active project sites will be required, including occasional overnight stays.

If you are an experienced Safety Manager looking for a hands‑on role within heavy civil, underground or tunneling construction, we would be interested in speaking with you.