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 jobsworking 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.
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your area of responsibility
In your role as a safety officer, everything revolves around safety and protection. For this, you need a range of skills and competencies, such as:
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Identify potential hazards: Safety risks and accident dangers are lurking everywhere. You move through the workplace with your eyes open to spot them. These could be blocked escape routes, obstacles, or faulty equipment. Dangerous substances or failure to observe rest periods also fall into this category. You document everything and present improvement suggestions to management.
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Monitoring and planning: You systematically check whether safety devices and protective equipment are in place. This includes fire safety measures, first aid kits, and personal protective equipment. If something is missing, you arrange for it to be ordered or installed. You also regularly verify that all required standards are being met.
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Install a work management system: Based on the hazards you've identified, you develop a safety plan. You assess the risks and define measures to move from the current state to the desired state. You regularly check whether the different areas of the company are implementing your safety plan.
- Raising awareness among employees: Safety measures only work if everyone implements them. If they exist only on paper, they’re not worth the ink. Therefore, you inform everyone about what safe behaviour looks like. Additionally, you train all staff on standards such as safe machine handling and proper work hygiene.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the company you work for as a safety officer, you'll interact with different colleagues. Since your primary work takes place on construction sites and in manufacturing, you'll be dealing with civil engineers and machine operators. In larger organisations, quality managers and department heads also become your points of contact. Alongside highly qualified technicians, engineers, and business professionals, you also work with support staff. Everyone, like a link in a chain, ensures that the operation runs smoothly. It’s your responsibility to make sure your colleagues can carry out their work safely.
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:
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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.
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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.
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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how much do I earn as a safety officer in a permanent position?
As a safety officer, you typically earn between 62,000 and 125,000 CHF annually. That works out to roughly 5,200 to 10,400 CHF per month. By pursuing further training and additional qualifications, you can increase your base salary. Additionally, this boosts your chances of promotion. According to popular job platforms, chief safety officers can earn up to 175,000 CHF a year. Perseverance and dedication really pay off for you as a safety officer.
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in which industry do I earn the most as a safety officer?
Your monthly salary increases with greater responsibility and specialisation. If you work as a safety officer in the IT sector, you will earn a higher wage than in a small manufacturing company. If you are employed as a safety officer in hospitality management, allowances will boost your basic pay. Some industries offer what are known as fringe benefits. These include perks that improve your quality of life, such as more holiday entitlement or reduced working hours. Monetary benefits like vehicle leasing and comprehensive travel passes are also part of the package. Always consider the overall package rather than just the basic salary.
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.
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.
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.
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.
competencies as a safety officer.
As a safety officer, certain skills will help you succeed. Key competencies include:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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1. find a safety officer
Search through Randstad job vacancies. If you can't find a position that’s exactly right for you, you’re still welcome to get in touch with us personally, without any obligation, or to create a Randstad profile.
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2. applying as a safety officer
The job advert continues apply online, give us a call, or send us an email.
Make sure your documents are complete.✓ CV with photo
✓ employment references & diplomasYou don't have a CV yet, or only an outdated version? Create a new layout using a free online template.
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3. preparing for a job interview as a safety officer
A good preparation helps you stay calm during the interview for the safety officer position. Here are some tips for your interview.
frequently asked questions.
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the role of a safety officer.
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what does a safety officer do?
As a safety officer, you are responsible for the protection and security of people, machinery, and buildings. You identify potential hazards, define measures, and ensure their implementation. You guide employees along the way. You support management in fulfilling their safety responsibilities. Interested? Then read on in this article to find out more about your duties as a safety officer.
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how much do I earn as a safety officer?
Your gross salary as a safety officer ranges between 62,000 and 125,000 CHF per year. That works out to between 5,200 and 10,400 CHF per month. You can increase your basic salary through further training and additional qualifications. Some industries also offer extra benefits that can boost your earnings. Find out more on this page about how you can earn more as a safety officer.
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is a safety officer a good profession?
Safety officers play a vital role within a company. You are responsible for health and safety at work. You prevent accidents and avoid health risks. Plus, as a safety professional, you can find a job almost anywhere. With dedication and ambition, exciting career opportunities open up. Whether you specialise or aim for a management career, there are interesting tasks waiting for you. Curious about what being a safety officer involves? Then keep reading right here.
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is the safety officer role difficult?
A safety officer is a demanding role. After all, you are responsible for the safety and protection of all staff members. Plus, you find yourself in a bit of a sandwich position. You implement safety measures that can sometimes be costly. This makes your job quite interesting, convincing managers and employees of their importance. The meaningful nature of this work offers a great deal of fulfillment. You’re left with the satisfying feeling that you’re contributing to workplace safety. If you want to learn more about working as a safety officer, here’s what makes the role so engaging.
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is the safety officer role difficult?
A safety officer is a demanding role. After all, you are responsible for the safety and protection of all staff members. Plus, you find yourself in a bit of a sandwich position. You implement safety measures that can sometimes be costly. This makes your job quite interesting, convincing managers and employees of their importance. The meaningful nature of this work offers a great deal of fulfillment. You’re left with the satisfying feeling that you’re contributing to workplace safety. If you want to learn more about working as a safety officer, here’s what makes the role so engaging.
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what requirements do I need to meet to become a safety officer?
For your role as a safety officer, you primarily need to have an interest in all safety-related topics. You don't require any specific basic training for this. However, a technical background can be helpful when it comes to accident prevention. Holding a certificate that verifies your expertise gives you a strong advantage. Additional qualities include organisational skills and resilience under pressure. Your communication skills complete your profile. With specialised knowledge and social competence, you are well-equipped for a career as a safety officer. Discover our current job vacancies here.
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how do I apply for a vacancy as a safety officer?
Your application for the safety officer position is straightforward with Randstad. First, create a Randstad profile and browse our job board for available roles. Found an interesting vacancy? Then send us your cover letter, CV, and certificates without delay. Need a bit of help with your application? Look at our application tips, and you'll be well on your way to submitting a compelling application.