Corporate Safety Head

Azim Premji Foundation · India

Job Summary:

The position: Corporate Safety Head

Location: Bangalore

The Head of Safety will spearhead safety initiatives, providing strategic vision and guidance to ensure a safe working environment across all operations, projects across India. This role requires a focus on developing safety culture, implementing behaviour-based safety practices, and managing safety for Large Infra and Hospital Projects. Leadership in mitigating risks, driving safety innovations, and overseeing a large contract labour workforce are critical aspects of this position.

Key Responsibilities:

The Head of Safety will collaborate with the Foundation Leadership to achieve the following outcomes across all Green filed projects on PAN India locations:

Strategic Leadership

· Develop and implement a safety strategy aligned with Foundation’s vision and strategic plans.

· Foster a culture of safety excellence and accountability, emphasising proactive and behavior-based safety practices.

· Partner with the Safety Council and leadership to integrate safety into all project phases and organizational decisions.

Policy Development and Implementation:

· Establish and continuously update safety policies, procedures, and protocols in compliance with local, national, and international safety regulations.

· Ensure adherence to best practices in occupational health, industrial safety, and environmental sustainability.

· Conduct regular reviews and updates to align with industry advancements and organizational needs.

Operational Excellence

· Drive initiatives to achieve zero fatal accidents at project sites and facilities.

· Ensure compliance with EHS regulations and oversee incident investigations with actionable preventive plans.

· Develop and implement safety plans for mega/complex projects and plants, optimizing EHS resource deployment and monitoring key safety metrics.

Construction and Project Safety:

· Oversee safety management for large-scale construction and infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with safety standards.

· Implement robust safety measures across high-risk environments, including site-specific safety plans and hazard mitigation.

· Monitor safety practices during all project stages, from design and planning to execution and handover.

Behavior-Based Safety and Training

· Promote behavior-based safety programs to encourage proactive safety practices.

· Design and deliver continuous training, induction programs, and skill-building initiatives for employees and contract workers.

· Conduct workshops, toolbox talks, and awareness campaigns to reinforce safety culture.

· Launch employee engagement and development programs to foster a safety- oriented culture.

Risk Management and Compliance

· Conduct periodic safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments to identify hazards and implement corrective actions.

· Lead the development of emergency response and crisis management plans.

· Ensure adherence to statutory guidelines and international safety standards, such as ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.

· Lead cross-functional teams to develop and implement EHS risk mitigation action plans.

Team and Workforce Management:

· Lead and mentor a team of EHS Professionals, fostering collaboration and innovation.

· Oversee the safety of a large, diverse contract labour workforce engaged by various contractors.

· Promote knowledge sharing and best practices across ICs/SBGs and EHS professionals.

Stakeholder Engagement:

· Build strong relationships with regulatory bodies, industry associations, and other external stakeholders to stay updated on the latest safety standards and innovations.

· Represent the organization in safety-related matters during audits, client meetings, and inspections.

· Coordinate with regulators, inspectors, and safety organizations for approvals, audits, and compliance.

Monitoring and Reporting

· Track and report key safety performance indicators (KPIs) to the Safety Council and senior stakeholders.

· Deploy digital tools and analytics to monitor EHS metrics and identify trends for continuous improvement.

· Conduct regular site audits to ensure compliance with established safety practices and policies.

· Prepare comprehensive reports on safety incidents, investigations, and preventive measures.

Skills and Competencies:

· Expertise in construction and project safety management, behavior-based safety, and fostering safety culture.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.

· Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

· Experience in managing large, diverse teams and driving cultural change.

· Familiarity with modern safety technologies and digital tools for monitoring and reporting.

Qualifications and Experience:

· Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in engineering, Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, or a related field.

· Professional certifications in safety management (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH, OSHA) are highly desirable.

· Minimum 20+ years of progressive experience in industrial and construction safety, with at least 5 years in a strategic leadership role.

· Proven track record of managing safety in large-scale EPC Projects.

· Extensive experience in managing a large contract labor workforce and implementing skilling and induction programs.

· Should have strong understanding of relevant EHS standards and frameworks applicable to construction sites, factories, and establishments.