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Safety engineer vs site safety manager

The differences between safety engineers and site safety managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a safety engineer and a site safety manager. Additionally, a site safety manager has an average salary of $85,979, which is higher than the $74,228 average annual salary of a safety engineer.

The top three skills for a safety engineer include OSHA, safety standards and safety program. The most important skills for a site safety manager are OSHA, safety procedures, and safety program.

Safety engineer vs site safety manager overview

Safety EngineerSite Safety Manager
Yearly salary$74,228$85,979
Hourly rate$35.69$41.34
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs16,61725,753
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a safety engineer do?

The duties of a safety engineer depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the implementation of the safety policies and regulations in a company by conducting regular inspections and maintenance checks, coordinating with department personnel to gather data, assessing risks, and arranging precautionary measures. A safety engineer must also address issues and concerns, responding to them in a timely and efficient manner. Furthermore, there are instances when they have to lead safety orientations and seminars to maintain a safe and productive environment for everyone.

What does a site safety manager do?

A site safety manager oversees the safety of the area for the workforce. Safety managers enforce compliance with government and industry regulations. They review the safety and health standards to lessen injuries. Their duties include the provision of a great safety benefit for the workers in the area and the whole company. It is also their job to establish policies to create and maintain workplace safety.

Safety engineer vs site safety manager salary

Safety engineers and site safety managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Safety EngineerSite Safety Manager
Average salary$74,228$85,979
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $110,000Between $57,000 And $128,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateNorth Dakota-
Best paying companyApple-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between safety engineer and site safety manager education

There are a few differences between a safety engineer and a site safety manager in terms of educational background:

Safety EngineerSite Safety Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringOccupational Safety And Health
Most common collegeUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of Connecticut

Safety engineer vs site safety manager demographics

Here are the differences between safety engineers' and site safety managers' demographics:

Safety EngineerSite Safety Manager
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 81.6% Female, 18.4%Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 9.7% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between safety engineer and site safety manager duties and responsibilities

Safety engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage hazardous and special waste programs and profiles including audits/inspections, vendor compliance, documentation and recordkeeping.
  • Develop SWPPP and SPCC programs.
  • Design new Lockout/Tag-out (LOTO) system for production floor and facilities.
  • Direct subcontractors in safely deploying spill response equipment to enforce EPA / TDEQ regulations.
  • Provide safety support for construction projects -Conduct audits for LOTO, environmental, IH surveys, safe work practices etc.
  • Create site-specific EHS orientations for contractors.
  • Show more

Site safety manager example responsibilities.

  • Enforce compliance with NFPA and NEC codes and manage electrical program.
  • Manage MSHA and MIOSHA training requirements along with maintain employees onsite training record.
  • Manage training and compliance for all LOTO and phases of industrial and commercial construction activities.
  • Manage and conduct groundwater/soil sample collection (NPDES), SDWA compliance and contamination assessments while ensuring EPA protocols are followed.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional team to successfully achieve initial ISO 14001certification.
  • Work with EPA and DNR to create an environmentally secure site.
  • Show more

Safety engineer vs site safety manager skills

Common safety engineer skills
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Safety Regulations, 4%
  • ISO, 4%
  • Corrective Action, 4%
Common site safety manager skills
  • OSHA, 17%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Fall Protection, 4%
  • Corrective Action, 4%
  • Safety Training, 4%

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