Safety Coordinator

Safety Observer

The Safety Observer is responsible for daily monitoring, observing, and auditing contracted construction crews working in electrical substations to ensure strict adherence to safety standards. This role ensures compliance with company policies as well as State and Federal regulations governing substation work, electrical safety, and construction activities. The Safety Observer serves as a liaison between construction crews and safety personnel, reinforcing safe work practices and intervening when necessary to prevent incidents.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor substation construction activities on a daily basis to ensure compliance with company safety standards, OSHA regulations, and applicable work health and safety requirements.
• Apply a full understanding of substation safety, substation construction, electrical safety, and safe operation of equipment within a substation environment.
• Actively observe contractor communication, pre-job briefings, use of tools and equipment, electrical safety practices, and proper application and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Work closely with contractor crews and construction leadership to identify safety hazards and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures.
• Ensure all personnel, tools, and equipment remain outside the minimum approach distance (MAD Zone) and maintain safe clearance from energized equipment.
• Verify that work is completed using safe operating procedures and electrical safety procedures that comply with relevant regulations and company standards.
• Identify unsafe behaviors or conditions, communicate findings clearly to crews, and take steps to correct and prevent recurrence.
• Reinforce safety concepts and principles through ongoing coaching, guidance, and on-site presence.
• Exercise Stop Work Authority whenever necessary to suspend work and address safety concerns, ensuring hazards are resolved before work resumes.
• Document daily observations, including workers observed, pre-job briefings, scope of work performed, compliance with required standards, identified and mitigated hazards, and any activities requiring Stop Work Authority.
• Serve as a dedicated Safety Observer and refrain from performing tasks outside the scope of the safety role to maintain objectivity and focus on safety oversight.
• Travel within the utility service territory to multiple substation and project sites as required.
• Support the development and construction of new substations and major projects by providing consistent safety oversight in the field and at the office.

Essential

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of substation safety, substation construction practices, electrical safety, and safe operation of equipment in an electrical substation environment.
• Ability to interpret and apply OSHA standards and company safety policies related to construction, electrical work, and transmission facilities.
• Demonstrated experience in safety oversight within substation, transmission, or construction environments (at least 3 years preferred for Safety Observer II; safety experience preferred for Safety Observer I).
• Proficiency in observing work practices and identifying hazards, unsafe behaviors, and non-compliance with safety standards.
• Ability to document daily safety observations, including workers observed, pre-job briefings, scope of work, compliance with standards, identified hazards, mitigation actions, and Stop Work Authority events.
• Capability to communicate clearly and professionally with contractor crews, construction leadership, and safety personnel.
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors and in inclement weather conditions as needed.
• Valid driver's license, personal vehicle, and willingness to travel within the service territory to various substation and project locations.

Additional Skills &

Qualifications:

• OSHA 30 certification for Safety Observer II, or equivalent work experience; OSHA 10 accepted for Safety Observer I with willingness to obtain OSHA 30.
• CPR and First Aid certification for Safety Observer II.
• Completed Confined Space Training for Safety Observer II.
• Ability to conduct Substation Entry Training for Safety Observer II.
• Ability to oversee and interact with multiple…