Safety Representative

Summary

For a Safety Representative working for a structural-steel contractor at the TSMC site in Phoenix, I would define the position primarily as a field-based safety role. Their job is to make sure the company's safety requirements and site requirements are actually being followed in the field.

Essential Responsibilites

Daily Field Safety

• Conduct daily jobsite safety walks and inspections.
• Observe structural-steel erection, bolting, welding, rigging, crane operations, decking, material handling, and elevated work.
• Identify unsafe conditions and behaviors.
• Immediately correct hazards when possible.
• Stop or escalate work when an imminent serious hazard exists.
• Verify proper PPE is being used.
• Verify fall-protection systems are properly installed and used.
• Check housekeeping, access/egress, barricades, signage, and exclusion zones.

Pre-Task / PTP Compliance

• Review the day's planned work with the foremen/GFs.
• Verify workers understand the applicable PTP.
• Verify the crew is following the approved work method.
• Participate in pre-task planning.
• Identify changes in conditions that require the PTP to be revised or work to be reassessed.

TSMC/GC Safety Requirements

• Help ensure the steel contractor complies with TSMC and GC site-specific safety requirements.
• Participate in required site meetings.
• Communicate changes in site requirements to the field crews.
• Assist with TSMC/GC safety inspections and audits.
• Track and help correct safety observations issued by the owner/GC.

Employee Safety

• Conduct or assist with new-hire and site orientations.
• Provide toolbox talks and safety briefings.
• Coach employees on safe work practices.
• Reinforce company safety policies.
• Document repeated safety violations and elevate them through the chain of command.

Inspections
The Safety Representative should routinely inspect:

• Fall protection
• Ladders and stairs
• Scaffolds
• Lifts/MEWPs
• Cranes and rigging
• Wire rope and rigging hardware
• Welding equipment
• Electrical cords and temporary power
• Hand and power tools
• Fire extinguishers
• Hot-work areas
• Material storage
• Steel erection areas
• Barricades and controlled-access zones
• Housekeeping

Incident Response
When an incident or near miss occurs:

• Respond to the scene.
• Make sure injured personnel receive appropriate assistance.
• Secure the area when necessary.
• Notify the appropriate supervision.
• Preserve relevant evidence when appropriate.
• Assist with the initial incident report.
• Participate in the investigation.
• Help identify corrective actions.
• Follow up to make sure corrective actions are completed.

Safety Documentation
Maintain or assist with:

• Daily safety inspection reports
• Safety observations
• Toolbox-talk records
• Training records
• PTP documentation
• Incident/near-miss reports
• Corrective-action tracking
• Equipment inspection records
• Safety meeting documentation
• Site-specific forms and checklists

Safety Meetings

• Attend daily/weekly safety meetings.
• Participate in foreman/GF safety meetings.
• Provide safety topics based on current field activities.
• Communicate lessons learned from incidents and observations.

Success in this Role
A Safety Representative is expected to stop work when they observe an imminent danger or serious safety violation, while promptly notifying and work closely with appropriate Superintendent, General Foreman, PE, Safety Coordinator/Manager, Project Engineer, and Project Manager

They should not be treated simply as the person who fills out safety paperwork, Their primary responsibility is preventing injuries by being present where the work is occurring. For a structural-steel contractor with approximately 60 employees, expect the Safety Representative to spend the majority of their working day in the field, rather than behind a desk. A good practical division would be: Field: 70-80% Documentation/meetings: 20-30%

The Safety Representative should work closely with the Superintendent, GFs, foremen, PM/PE team, and Safety Coordinator/Manager rather than functioning independently from the project chain of command.