Responsibilities & Authority

Responsibilities & Authority

The Responsibilities & Authority section defines who is accountable for safety within the organization and what authority they have to carry out those responsibilities. By establishing clear roles, it ensures that every individual—from executives to front-line employees—understands their part in building and maintaining a safe workplace.

This structure includes:

• Executives & Senior Leaders: Set safety policy, allocate resources, and empower managers and safety professionals to act.

• Safety Managers & Committees: Develop procedures, monitor compliance, and have the authority to stop unsafe work.

• Supervisors & Foremen: Enforce safe practices on the jobsite, coach employees, and correct hazards immediately.

• Employees: Follow procedures, use PPE, report unsafe conditions, and have the right to refuse unsafe work.

By aligning responsibilities with authority, the organization ensures that everyone has not only the duty but also the power to influence safety outcomes. This alignment creates accountability at all levels and reinforces a culture where safety is a shared responsibility.