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Safety inspector vs plant safety leader

The differences between safety inspectors and plant safety leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a safety inspector and a plant safety leader. Additionally, a plant safety leader has an average salary of $75,374, which is higher than the $48,765 average annual salary of a safety inspector.

The top three skills for a safety inspector include OSHA, safety procedures and safety inspections. The most important skills for a plant safety leader are OSHA, continuous improvement, and safety audits.

Safety inspector vs plant safety leader overview

Safety InspectorPlant Safety Leader
Yearly salary$48,765$75,374
Hourly rate$23.44$36.24
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs30,19336,957
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a safety inspector do?

A safety inspector is in charge of performing inspections to ensure that workplaces comply with the company or government's safety standards and regulations. Their responsibilities include inspecting tools and equipment, reviewing documents and specifications, assessing the workforce performances and conditions, observing facilities, and ensuring that employees have protective gear and safety measure knowledge. Moreover, a safety inspector utilizes the findings of their observation to recommend methods that will help workplaces maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone. They may also investigate workplace incidents to keep them from happening again.

What does a plant safety leader do?

Plant Safety Leaders are responsible for ensuring the organization's facility adheres to all safety policies and regulations. Their duties include advising employees on safety work culture, develop safe work practices programs, and make sure projects' operations fulfill legal safety requirements. They are also involved in conducting accident investigations, implementing safety worksite processes, and producing safety reports. Plant Safety Leaders carry out safety and risk assessments, perform emergency response evaluations, and facilitate staff departments' training sessions.

Safety inspector vs plant safety leader salary

Safety inspectors and plant safety leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Safety InspectorPlant Safety Leader
Average salary$48,765$75,374
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $69,000Between $45,000 And $124,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CAFairfield, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyVolkertApple
Best paying industryEnergy-

Differences between safety inspector and plant safety leader education

There are a few differences between a safety inspector and a plant safety leader in terms of educational background:

Safety InspectorPlant Safety Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-Stanford University

Safety inspector vs plant safety leader demographics

Here are the differences between safety inspectors' and plant safety leaders' demographics:

Safety InspectorPlant Safety Leader
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 82.1% Female, 17.9%Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between safety inspector and plant safety leader duties and responsibilities

Safety inspector example responsibilities.

  • Assist with ergonomics assessments, assist in managing HAZMAT and chemical storage programs, and evaluate fire prevention plans.
  • Complete workshop and laboratory equipment safety for all university buildings for compliance with OSHA and other appropriate regulations.
  • Investigate and document incidents using accurate and industry relate terminology to protect against lawsuits and to provide OSHA with additional information.
  • Upgrade and assist with the maintenance of the facility MSDS system, in particular the raw material MSDS's.
  • Detail record keeping of JSAs, tool, ladder and PPE inspections.
  • Participate in new equipment planning and installation team activities to include PSM processes documentation and validation i.e.

Plant safety leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage SPCC and stormwater program and perform stormwater sampling.
  • Lead development of a comprehensive program for maximizing past PSM consulting investments and assessment activities.
  • Train employees in LOTO procedures, maintain training records.
  • Execute these plans from start to finish with documentation, help safety department comply with OSHA compliance.
  • Submit maintenance notifications to protect equipment consistency, troubleshoot maintenance and to comply with OSHA and SQF regulations.
  • Perform weekly hazardous waste inspections.- collaborate on company-wide EHS projects that benefit all the locations.
  • Show more

Safety inspector vs plant safety leader skills

Common safety inspector skills
  • OSHA, 13%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Safety Inspections, 6%
  • Fire Protection, 5%
  • Safety Standards, 5%
  • Contractor Safety, 4%
Common plant safety leader skills
  • OSHA, 9%
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Safety Audits, 7%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Safety Regulations, 5%
  • Corrective Action, 4%

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