The First 90 Days of a New Safety Officer

The First 90 Days of a New Safety Officer

Starting a new job as a Safety Officer can be exciting, but the first few months can also be challenging. You are entering a new workplace, meeting unfamiliar people, learning company procedures, understanding the project, and at the same time being expected to identify hazards and prevent incidents.

The first 90 days are particularly important because this is when you establish your professional reputation. Workers, supervisors, engineers, managers, and other HSE professionals are watching how you communicate, how you handle problems, and how seriously you take your responsibilities.

A new Safety Officer does not need to change everything on the first day. The smarter approach is to first understand the workplace, build relationships, identify the major risks, and then gradually make meaningful improvements.

Days 1 to 30: Learn Before You Change

The first month should mainly be about observation and learning. Before making major recommendations, understand how the site actually operates.

Understand the Project

Start by learning about the project, its scope, major activities, work locations, workforce size, and construction schedule.

Try to understand:

• What type of project is being executed?
• Which activities are currently in progress?
• What are the highest risk activities?
• Who are the main contractors and subcontractors?
• What are the client’s HSE requirements?
• What safety standards and procedures apply?

A Safety Officer who understands the project can provide much more useful advice than someone who only knows general safety rules.

Learn the Site Layout

Spend time walking around the site.

Identify the locations of:

• Work areas.
• Material storage areas.
• Access and egress routes.
• Emergency assembly points.
• Fire equipment.
• First aid facilities.
• Electrical installations.
• Workshops.
• Excavation areas.
• Lifting zones.
• Welfare facilities.
• Chemical storage areas.

Knowing the site layout becomes extremely important during inspections and emergencies.

Read the HSE Documentation

Do not depend only on what other people tell you. Read the relevant project documents yourself.

These may include:

• HSE plans.
• Risk assessments.
• Method statements.
• Permit to Work procedures.
• Emergency response plans.
• Inspection checklists.
• Environmental procedures.
• Incident reporting procedures.
• Training requirements.
• Client safety standards.

This helps you understand what the company says should happen and later compare it with what is actually happening in the field.

Understand the Permit to Work System

If you are working in construction, oil and gas, petrochemical, or other high-risk industries, understanding the Permit to Work system should be a priority.

Learn how the site manages permits for activities such as:

• Hot work.
• Confined space entry.
• Excavation.
• Electrical work.
• Work at height.
• Lifting operations.
• Isolation activities.

Do not simply learn the names of permits. Understand the authorization process, required controls, validity, suspension, extension, and closeout.

Observe Workers and Supervisors

During the first few weeks, spend more time observing than criticizing.

Watch how workers perform their jobs. Observe how supervisors give instructions and how work is actually organized.

You may discover that the written procedure says one thing while the practical operation is slightly different.

This is valuable information because effective safety management must consider both documented requirements and actual workplace conditions.

Build Relationships With the Workforce

A new Safety Officer should avoid developing an attitude of “I am here to find your mistakes.”

That approach can quickly create resistance.

Introduce Yourself Professionally

Meet supervisors, foremen, engineers, workers, and other HSE personnel.

Explain your role clearly and maintain a respectful attitude.

Workers should understand that your objective is to help them perform their work safely, not simply to issue observations against them.

Listen to Workers

Experienced workers often know hazards that may not be immediately visible to a new Safety Officer.

Ask questions such as:

• What problems do you face during this activity?
• Which part of the job is most difficult?
• Have you experienced any near misses here?
• Is there anything about the procedure that does not work well in practice?
• What safety improvement would make this job easier?

Listening can reveal important information that may never appear in a formal inspection.

Build Trust Without Compromising Safety

Being friendly does not mean ignoring unsafe work.

You can be approachable while still being firm about critical safety requirements.

The goal is to create an environment where workers feel comfortable approaching you with concerns while understanding that serious unsafe acts will be addressed immediately.

Days 31 to 60: Start Making an Impact

Once you understand the workplace and have established relationships, the second month should focus on identifying recurring problems and improving controls.

Identify the Major Hazards

Do not try to solve every minor issue at once.

Focus first on hazards that could cause serious injury, fatality, major property damage, or environmental harm.

Depending on the project, these may include:

• Work at height.
• Lifting operations.
• Confined spaces.
• Excavation and trenching.
• Electrical work.
• Hot work.
• Vehicle movement.
• Energy isolation.
• Hazardous substances.
• Temporary works.

Prioritizing significant risks allows you to use your time effectively.

Review Existing Risk Assessments

Compare the risk assessments with actual site activities.

Ask yourself whether:

• The activity described matches the work being performed.
• Hazards have been properly identified.
• Controls are practical.
• Workers understand the controls.
• Supervisors are implementing the controls.
• Changes in site conditions have been considered.

A risk assessment should not become a document that simply sits in an office.

Improve Toolbox Talks

Attend toolbox talks and observe how they are conducted.

If the same generic speech is repeated every morning, workers may stop paying attention.

Encourage toolbox talks that focus on the actual work planned for the day.

For example, if a crane lifting operation is scheduled, the discussion should cover the lifting plan, exclusion zone, communication method, ground conditions, weather, rigging equipment, and responsibilities of the lifting team.

Focus on Repeated Unsafe Conditions

One repeated observation is often more important than ten unrelated observations.

If you repeatedly see the same problem, investigate why it keeps happening.

For example, if workers repeatedly enter an area without proper access, the problem may not simply be worker behavior. The access arrangement itself may be inadequate.

Look beyond the immediate unsafe act.

Work With Supervisors

Supervisors have a major influence on workplace safety because they directly control daily activities.

Instead of only telling supervisors what is wrong, explain how the issue can be corrected.

A good Safety Officer works with supervisors to develop practical solutions that can actually be implemented.

Strengthen Your Communication Skills

Technical knowledge is important, but communication determines how effectively that knowledge is used.

Speak Clearly and Respectfully

Avoid unnecessary technical language when speaking with workers.

Explain the hazard in a way that connects directly with their work.

Instead of simply saying, “This is a non-compliance,” explain what could happen if the control is not implemented and what needs to be done to make the task safe.

Learn How to Give Corrective Feedback

Good corrective feedback should focus on the behavior or condition, not attack the person.

For example, instead of saying, “You don’t know how to work safely,” explain what you observed, why it is dangerous, and what action is required.

This maintains professionalism and reduces unnecessary conflict.

Learn When to Be Firm

Some situations require immediate intervention.

If there is an imminent risk of serious injury or fatality, the Safety Officer should not hesitate to stop the activity and ensure that appropriate controls are established.

Professionalism does not mean being passive.

Days 61 to 90: Establish Your Professional Reputation

By the third month, people should begin to understand your working style.

This is the time to demonstrate consistency and take ownership of safety improvement.

Conduct More Focused Inspections

Move beyond general site walks.

Conduct inspections based on specific high-risk activities.

For example:

• Work at height inspection.
• Scaffolding inspection.
• Lifting operation inspection.
• Excavation inspection.
• Electrical safety inspection.
• Fire prevention inspection.
• Confined space inspection.
• Vehicle and traffic safety inspection.

Focused inspections can identify deeper problems than routine observations.

Track Corrective Actions

An observation has little value if nobody follows up on it.

Maintain a system for tracking:

• Observation.
• Responsible person.
• Required corrective action.
• Target completion date.
• Actual completion date.
• Verification status.

Do not simply close an observation because someone says it has been corrected. Verify the condition yourself when appropriate.

Look for Trends

By this stage, you should have collected enough information to identify patterns.

For example, you may discover repeated issues involving:

• Poor housekeeping.
• PPE compliance.
• Inadequate access.
• Missing barricades.
• Unsafe lifting practices.
• Incomplete permits.
• Poor supervision.

These trends can help you identify where management attention is most needed.

Participate in Incident Investigations

If an incident or near miss occurs, take the opportunity to learn from it.

Do not immediately assume that the worker was responsible.

Ask:

• What happened?
• What conditions existed?
• What instructions were provided?
• Was the procedure suitable?
• Was the worker trained?
• Was supervision adequate?
• Were the required controls available?
• What organizational factors contributed?

The objective should be preventing recurrence.

Learn the Art of Documentation

Documentation is an important part of the Safety Officer’s job.

Write Clear Safety Reports

Your reports should be factual, concise, and easy to understand.

Include what you observed, where it occurred, the potential consequence, and the corrective action required.

Avoid emotional statements or unsupported assumptions.

Keep Your Records Organized

Maintain proper records for relevant activities such as:

• Inspections.
• Toolbox talks.
• Training.
• Permits.
• Equipment inspections.
• Safety observations.
• Incident investigations.
• Emergency drills.
• Corrective actions.

Good documentation demonstrates that safety activities are being actively managed.

Never Falsify Records

Integrity is one of the most important qualities of a Safety Officer.

Never record an inspection that you did not perform or claim that a corrective action has been completed when it has not.

A false record can create a much bigger problem than the original safety issue.

Common Mistakes New Safety Officers Should Avoid

The first 90 days can be difficult, and mistakes are part of learning. However, some mistakes can damage your reputation unnecessarily.

Trying to Change Everything Immediately

A new Safety Officer may notice dozens of problems and immediately try to change everything.

This can create resistance.

Understand the situation first, prioritize significant risks, and introduce improvements systematically.

Acting Like the Safety Police

Constantly looking for someone to blame will eventually make people avoid you.

Your role is to control risk, not to collect violations.

Arguing With Workers

Arguments rarely create a positive safety culture.

If someone disagrees with you, listen first. Understand their concern, explain the risk, and find a practical solution where possible.

Ignoring Small Warning Signs

Not every unsafe condition will result in an accident, but repeated minor issues can indicate weaknesses in the safety system.

Pay attention to patterns rather than looking only for dramatic hazards.

Being Afraid to Ask Questions

You are new. You are not expected to know everything.

If you do not understand a process, ask someone who has the appropriate technical knowledge.

A good Safety Officer understands when to seek advice.

Focusing Only on Paperwork

A Safety Officer who spends the entire day in an office may miss what is actually happening in the workplace.

Documentation is important, but field presence is equally important.

What You Should Achieve by Day 90

By the end of your first 90 days, you should have a clear understanding of the workplace and your responsibilities.

Know the Major Risks

You should be able to identify the site’s most significant hazards and understand the controls required to manage them.

Know the People

You should have established professional relationships with workers, supervisors, engineers, managers, contractors, and the HSE team.

Know the Procedures

You should understand the key HSE procedures, permit systems, emergency arrangements, reporting requirements, and client expectations.

Have a Record of Improvements

You should be able to demonstrate meaningful improvements made during your first three months.

These improvements do not have to be dramatic. Correcting a recurring hazard, improving a toolbox talk, strengthening an inspection process, or improving worker participation can all be valuable achievements.

Earn Professional Respect

Perhaps the most important achievement is earning the trust and respect of the people around you.

Workers should know that you will listen to them. Supervisors should know that you are practical and consistent. Management should know that your observations are based on facts and risk.

The Mindset of a Successful New Safety Officer

Your first 90 days should not be about proving that you know everything.

They should be about learning, observing, communicating, improving, and building credibility.

Be Curious

Ask questions and learn how the workplace operates.

Be Consistent

Apply safety requirements fairly to everyone, regardless of position.

Be Practical

Recommend controls that genuinely reduce risk and can be implemented effectively.

Be Courageous

When a serious risk exists, have the confidence to intervene.

Be Humble

Experience matters, but nobody knows everything. Learn from workers, supervisors, engineers, and experienced HSE professionals.

Be Professional

Your behavior represents you as a Safety Officer. Stay calm, respectful, honest, and focused even when situations become difficult.

Final Thoughts

The first 90 days can define how people see you for the rest of your time on a project. If you spend those first three months only looking for mistakes, you may create resistance. If you spend them learning the workplace, understanding people, identifying significant risks, and solving problems, you can establish a strong professional foundation.

A successful Safety Officer does not become respected simply because they carry a safety title. Respect is earned through knowledge, fairness, communication, consistency, and the courage to protect people when it matters.

Your first 90 days are not about becoming the perfect Safety Officer. They are about becoming a Safety Officer that people can trust.

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