what is a safety officer?

As a safety officer, you carry a great deal of responsibility. You ensure that people are safe at their workplace and are not exposed to health risks. This involves assessing hazards and supporting preventative measures. You are responsible for ensuring that all employees adhere to the guidelines set out by the Swiss Federal Coordination Commission for Occupational Safety (EKAS). Hazards can be found everywhere, from new technologies and procedures to human behaviour. With the constant changes in the working environment, you as a safety officer stay up to date. You identify sources of danger, implement safety measures, and train staff. As a safety professional, your work is mainly in the construction and manufacturing industries. You are aware that absolute safety cannot be guaranteed; there is always some residual risk. Therefore, you are prepared to handle unexpected situations. As a safety officer, you act as a link between management, authorities, and employees. Safety is a leadership responsibility, and you support management in this area. Does the role of a safety officer suit you? Then read on to find out more about your tasks and responsibilities, how much you can expect to earn, and what career prospects are available.

security officer jobs
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working as a safety officer.

The EKAS Guideline 6508 outlines your responsibilities as a safety officer. Primarily, you identify hazards early on and assist with prevention. Find out more about your duties as a safety officer here.

2

types of safety officers.

As a safety officer, you are primarily needed on construction sites and in manufacturing plants. There, you ensure the protection and safety of all employees. However, there are other areas you can specialise in. In addition to your core responsibilities, there are other focus areas to consider. Here is a selection of the different types of safety officers:

  • Safety officer for the federation, cantons, and municipalities: In this role, you coordinate the Infrastructure Safety Instruments (ISSI). You are the responsible point of contact for road safety. This includes analysing the road infrastructure, identifying accident hotspots and hazard sites, and implementing repairs.

  • Safety officer at airport police: In this role, you'll get a taste of the big wide world. To keep the airport a safe environment, you'll be part of the team. You’ll check staff, crew, passengers, and visitors. You’ll also keep an eye on the luggage. At the metal detector and X-ray machine, you need to stay highly focused. Shift work is common in this area.

  • Health and safety officer in hospitality management: This role demands a high level of physical resilience. You will work in environments where many people gather. Whether on cruise ships, amusement parks, or at events, people want fun and safety. You will also encounter the darker side of things, such as aggressive or intoxicated individuals. Sometimes, there are medical emergencies or panic situations. In such cases, you need to act quickly. You will make emergency calls and manage the crowd.
Smiling male looking away wearing yellow jacket and walkie-talkie signing where to go
Smiling male looking away wearing yellow jacket and walkie-talkie signing where to go
3

salary as safety officer.

Your gross salary as a safety officer mainly depends on where you work. Your role and level of responsibility also have a significant impact on your monthly pay. In large companies, you typically work full-time. In hospitality management and at airport police, part-time shifts are also common, so your earnings are proportional. If you work in shifts, allowances for night, holiday, and weekend work will boost your basic pay. Some organisations attract staff with attractive benefits, discounted meals, and other perks. Find out more about your gross salary as a safety officer here.

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training and further education as a safety officer.

There is no federal training programme for the role of safety officer. You need specialised knowledge in occupational safety, which you can acquire through courses. If your employer appoints you as a safety officer, you will attend an introductory course. Upon successful completion, you will receive a nationally recognised certificate. You can find training options, for example, through Suva and its training network. No specific prerequisites are required, although a technical background is advantageous. The courses are generally aimed at managers and employees across various industries who have safety responsibilities. Of course, you can also deepen your expertise. In addition to the basic courses, you can take the professional examination to become a Specialist in Occupational Safety and Health. The provider is the Federal Department for Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF). This qualification can open career advancement opportunities and the potential for a higher salary.

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appointing a safety officer.

Safety officers find jobs wherever they are needed. These are all businesses with more than 10 employees and specific hazards in the workplace. So, you’ll be in demand on construction sites and in manufacturing. But hospitals, airports, and public administration also look for security professionals. Wherever there are large crowds, security is also a top priority. Are you looking for an interesting role as a safety officer? Look at our listings on this page.

two males having a conversation in a warehouse environment
two males having a conversation in a warehouse environment
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positions for career changers as safety officers.

To work as a safety officer, you do not need any specific federal basic training. Your expertise is gained through courses. Therefore, it is an additional qualification for those interested. However, a technical background is advantageous. Even career changers have excellent chances to get started as a safety officer. The main requirement is that you are interested in all topics related to safety and health protection.

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career opportunities and development potential as a safety officer.

Most industries and companies employ safety officers. To do so, you only need a certificate that verifies your expertise. Climbing the career ladder requires assertiveness and ambition. Exciting tasks and an attractive salary await you, for example, as a Facility Security Manager. In this role, you are responsible for an entire building or branch. As a Security Services Manager or Head of Corporate Security, you can build a management career with a high basic salary and benefits. In higher salary brackets, you can advance as a Corporate Global Security and Investigations Manager. If a management career isn’t necessarily your goal, you can specialise in key security areas such as anti-terror measures or personal protection. Not sure if you’re up to the challenge of being a safety officer? Take a look at our tests and tips.

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competencies as a safety officer.

As a safety officer, certain skills will help you succeed. Key competencies include:

  • Communication skills: As a safety officer, you train employees. You explain complex matters in simple terms, ensuring everyone is on board. You convey important safety measures and the necessary investments to management. Thanks to your communicative approach, you find it easy to persuade others.

  • Stress resistance: In your line of work, it's all about protection and safety. Accidents happen; there’s no such thing as 100% protection. In emergencies, you act quickly. You stay calm and find a solution swiftly. When panic sets in, you keep control.

  • Organisational talent: Safety officers identify accident hazards and safety risks. If protective devices or equipment are missing, you provide the necessary solutions. It’s not always possible to implement all measures at once, so you prioritise and weigh up the options. Thanks to your organisational skills, you keep everything under control.

  • Thirst for knowledge: Safety regulations and guidelines are constantly changing. As a safety officer, you stay up-to-date with the latest rules. Methods and standards also evolve over time. You keep yourself informed and are always looking for the best solutions for your area.
Group of people having a meeting, in a room with glass windows
Group of people having a meeting, in a room with glass windows
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benefits of working as a safety officer at randstad.

There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as a safety officer:
✓ exciting jobs with well-known companies
✓ a reliable point of contact whenever you need one, personalised advice matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ further education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? Often, there’s the opportunity to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many well-known companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.

your training budget as a safety officer at randstad.

If you work as a safety officer for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. As part of the TempTrainings programme from swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will be reimbursed for the course fees later, provided you pass the course exam. Your consultant from Randstad is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can also acquire additional language skills or job-specific knowledge. And all of this is during your working hours as a safety officer.

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application tips for safety officer at randstad.

Have you found your dream job as a safety officer? It's not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalised documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to optimise your chances:

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frequently asked questions.

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the role of a safety officer.

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