Safety Program Manager | Columbia, SC
Summary
Leads the company-wide safety management system across multiple locations: develops safety policies, training, audits, OSHA compliance, and executive scorecards, investigates incidents, and manages contractor prequalification platforms (Avetta, ISNetworld). Operational leaders handle local execution; this role owns program design, reporting, and escalation.
Job Title: Safety Program Manager
Department: Operations
Reports to: VP of Operations
FLSA Status: Salary
Direct Reports: None
JOB TITLE: Safety Program Manager
SUMMARY
The Safety Program Manager will lead the development, coordination, measurement, and continuous improvement of TCS’s company-wide safety management system across multiple locations. Establish practical standards, training, reporting, and preventive processes that integrate safety into normal operating routines. Serve as a trusted advisor to field personnel, General Managers, the VP of Operations, and executive leadership. The Safety Program Manager owns the program framework, performance visibility, recommendations, and escalation; General Managers and operational leaders own local execution, employee compliance, and enforcement.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- SAFETY LEADERSHIP & INTEGRATION
- Independently assess where safety should be embedded in TCS operating rhythms—VP/GM reviews, office meetings, scorecards, planning, field processes, and onboarding—and propose a practical integration plan for leadership approval. Coordinate rollout and measure adoption.
- Proactively communicate safety performance to the VP of Operations and executive leadership, including positive results, significant incidents, emerging risks, recurring patterns, overdue corrective actions, and decisions needed. Escalate unresolved risks through established leadership channels.
- Develop and deliver monthly executive and office-level safety scorecards using leading and lagging indicators, including preventive activity completion, trends, location-level gaps, and recommended actions. Communicate urgent issues promptly rather than waiting for the monthly report.
- Partner with the VP of Operations to define clear GM and Service/Project Manager safety expectations, escalation thresholds, and response timelines. Raise unresolved issues and recommend action; operational leaders retain responsibility for directing and enforcing work.
- Set out a proposed quarterly safety improvement plan, prioritizing material risks and opportunities with expected outcomes, accountable operating owners, milestones, and status updates. Seek leadership decisions where needed and track implementation.
2. SAFETY PROGRAMS, COMPLIANCE & RISK REDUCTION
- Develop, maintain, and recommend updates to company-wide safety policies and programs, including fall protection, lockout/tagout, electrical safety, and job hazard analysis; obtain required leadership approval.
- Coordinate incident reporting, fact-finding, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and lessons learned with office leadership; verify closure and communicate significant findings.
- Conduct field assessments and support Gemba walks, individual safety audits, harness/lanyard inspections, and hazard reporting; establish consistent documentation and follow-up.
- Manage OSHA recordkeeping and posting, safety data sheets, chemical inventory, and workers’ compensation coordination.
- Manage TCS accounts with third-party contractor safety and prequalification platforms, including Avetta, ISNetworld, and other customer-required systems; maintain profiles, required submissions, renewals, and account approvals.
- Monitor platform compliance status, resolve documentation deficiencies and exceptions, and coordinate with operating leaders on corrective actions needed to maintain customer qualification.
- Respond directly to customer requests for safety records, incident statistics, OSHA documentation, training records, certifications, questionnaires, and other safety prequalification materials; coordinate with Operations, HR, Finance, and other departments to obtain accurate information.
- Identify safety vendors and supply improvements, including cost and effectiveness, without compromising safety requirements.
3. TRAINING, COMMUNICATION & PARTNERSHIP
- Design, deliver, and periodically evaluate practical safety onboarding and training for technicians, managers, and other roles. Demonstrate effectiveness through field observations, knowledge checks, incident trends, or other appropriate evidence—not completion records alone.
- Oversee LMS assignments, training records, certifications, and renewals; develop and administer forklift and aerial-lift training where qualified and authorized.
- Lead the monthly Safety Committee and issue useful, timely safety talks, performance updates, and lessons learned across locations.
- Hold recurring reviews with Service and Project Managers to identify gaps, agree on actions, and track follow-through; coach leaders without taking over their operational accountability.
- Advise customer-facing and Sales teams on site hazards, safety planning, and client requirements; engage qualified specialists when needed.
4. ACCOUNTABILITY & AUTHORITY
- Safety Program Manager: owns safety program design and continuous improvement; standards and procedures; training program design; audits and scorecards; investigation and corrective-action processes; company-wide initiatives; executive reporting, recommendations, and escalation.
- General Managers and operational leaders: own implementation at their locations; employee compliance and training participation; correction of unsafe conditions and behaviors; completion and enforcement of corrective actions; and local safety culture.
- The Safety Program Manager provides expertise, visibility, and follow-through, while the VP of Operations and General Managers provide operational authority, prioritization, and enforcement.
5. SUCCESS MEASURES
- Owners, VPs, and GMs receive consistent, balanced, decision-ready safety reporting, including successes, risks, trends, actions, and requests for support.
- The Safety Program Manager proposes and maintains a practical integration framework; approved safety practices become visible in management routines and field operations, with adoption gaps reported and escalated.
- Safety initiatives, corrective actions, and training programs show measurable follow-through and evidence of effectiveness; deficiencies trigger timely recommendations and escalation.
- GMs and operating managers understand their safety responsibilities and receive practical guidance and support.
6. QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
- High school diploma or GED required; associate degree or relevant technical/business education preferred. Relevant multi-site safety program experience required; commercial service/construction experience preferred.
- Working knowledge of applicable OSHA requirements, incident investigation, hazard controls, and safety training. OSHA 30 and recognized professional safety credentials preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to design practical safety programs and scorecards, communicate credibly with executives, build relationships with field technicians, influence leaders without direct authority, and translate risks into specific recommendations and actions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and digital reporting/training tools; valid driver’s license and ability to travel among company locations.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in office environments, customer facilities, mechanical rooms, and construction sites. Duties may include walking job sites, climbing ladders, and working around mechanical and electrical equipment. Follow applicable site requirements and use required personal protective equipment. Some overnight travel may be necessary.
APPROVAL/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change based on business needs. Employment is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the company at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.
WEBSITE
https://www.totalcomfortsolutions.com/
Total Comfort Solutions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.