- The Safety Inspection Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, supervising, and executing safety inspection activities across project sites, operational facilities, construction locations, fabrication yards, warehouses, and offshore installations.
- The role ensures compliance with company HSE policies, regulatory requirements, client specifications, and industry best practices while promoting a proactive safety culture and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Responsibilities:
- Lead and coordinate routine and specialized safety inspections across operational and project locations.
- Develop and implement safety inspection plans, schedules, checklists, and monitoring programs.
- Conduct workplace inspections to identify unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, hazards, and compliance gaps.
- Verify compliance with applicable HSE regulations, company procedures, client requirements, and international standards.
- Monitor implementation of corrective and preventive actions arising from inspections, audits, and incident investigations.
- Review safety documentation, permits, procedures, risk assessments, and work methods for compliance.
- Assess the effectiveness of safety controls and recommend improvements where necessary.
- Participate in facility, equipment, and operational safety evaluations.
- Prepare inspection reports, findings, observations, recommendations, and follow-up action registers.
- Support HSE audits, management system reviews, and compliance assessments.
Leadership and Supervision:
- Supervise Safety Inspectors, HSE Officers, and inspection support personnel.
- Coordinate daily safety inspection activities and ensure efficient deployment of resources.
- Conduct toolbox talks, safety briefings, and awareness sessions.
- Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to junior HSE personnel.
- Support competency development programs and promote knowledge transfer to local personnel.
- Foster a positive safety culture and encourage workforce participation in safety initiatives.
Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Responsibilities:
- Ensure all inspection activities are conducted in accordance with company HSE policies and procedures.
- Promote compliance with Permit-to-Work (PTW) systems and safe work practices.
- Participate in Job Safety Analysis (JSA), Hazard Identification (HAZID), and risk assessment activities.
- Monitor workplace compliance with safety requirements, environmental controls, and emergency preparedness procedures.
- Lead safety observation programs and behavioral safety initiatives.
- Participate in incident investigations and root cause analyses.
- Ensure timely reporting of incidents, hazards, near misses, and non-conformances.
- Recommend and monitor implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
Project Management Responsibilities:
- Assist with planning, scheduling, and coordination of safety inspection activities.
- Support project mobilization and demobilization activities from an HSE perspective.
- Monitor safety performance indicators and provide regular progress updates to management.
- Interface with clients, contractors, subcontractors, regulatory authorities, and project teams.
- Support project compliance reviews and readiness assessments.
- Prepare periodic HSE performance reports, inspection summaries, and project close-out reports.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Safety, or a related discipline.
- Professional qualifications in Occupational Health, Safety, Environment, Inspection, or Risk Management.
- Membership of a recognized HSE professional body is advantageous.
- Minimum of 10 years' experience in Health, Safety, and Environmental management within the oil and gas, construction, marine, manufacturing, or industrial sectors.
- Minimum of 10 years' experience performing or supervising safety inspections and compliance monitoring activities.
- Proven experience supporting major construction, maintenance, commissioning, fabrication, or operational projects.
- Demonstrated experience in hazard identification, risk assessment, incident investigation, and safety auditing.
- Experience working in both onshore and offshore operational environments is preferred.
- Experience interfacing with regulatory agencies, clients, and contractors.
- Knowledge of local and international HSE regulatory requirements.
- NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC) or equivalent.
- ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor Certification.
- OSHA Professional Certification or equivalent HSE certification.
- HSE Level 3 Certification (or equivalent).
- BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS (for offshore assignments).
- HUET Certification (for offshore assignments).
- First Aid/CPR Certification.
- Incident Investigation Training Certification.
- Any client- or project-specific certifications as required.
- Strong knowledge of occupational health, safety, and environmental management systems.
- Experience conducting workplace inspections, safety audits, and compliance assessments.
- Strong understanding of risk assessment methodologies and hazard management processes.
- Knowledge of ISO 45001, ISO 14001, OSHA requirements, and relevant industry standards.
- Familiarity with oil and gas, construction, fabrication, and industrial operational risks.
- Ability to interpret regulations, standards, procedures, and technical documentation.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and HSE reporting software.
- Experience with incident reporting and corrective action tracking systems.
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Effective planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
- Ability to influence safety culture and promote behavioral safety practices.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to compliance.
- Ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
- Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English.
- Strong commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- Ability to work effectively within multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
Preferred Additional Requirements:
- Experience on major oil and gas, EPC, offshore, construction, or industrial projects.
- Professional membership with organizations such as Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health, or Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
- Experience implementing ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.
- Proven capability in mentoring and developing local HSE personnel.
- Experience supporting contractor management and compliance assurance programs.
- Familiarity with digital inspection systems, HSE management software, and reporting tools.