The HSE Manager

The HSE Manager: A Key Position in Occupational Safety

In many companies, the HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) Manager plays a central role when it comes to health protection, occupational safety and environmental protection. This position is particularly crucial in industries with increased safety and health risks. An HSE manager ensures compliance with legal requirements and operational standards and helps to create a safe working environment. Here, we highlight the tasks, duties and areas of responsibility of the HSE manager and clarify how the role differs from that of the traditional occupational safety specialist.

Tasks and responsibilities of the HSE manager

The HSE manager is responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring measures in the areas of health protection, occupational safety and environmental protection. Their main task is to ensure safety in the workplace while also monitoring the company’s environmental standards. The main tasks of an HSE manager include:

1. Conducting risk assessments: An HSE manager systematically creates and monitors risk analyses in order to identify and minimise risks at an early stage.
2. Training and instruction: Regular training and safety instruction for employees are an important part of HSE management.
3. Introduction and monitoring of HSE guidelines: The HSE manager implements and updates standards and guidelines that comply with legal requirements, such as ISO standards (ISO 45001, ISO 14001).
4. Creating and maintaining a legal register: To ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, the HSE manager maintains a legal register that lists all applicable laws and regulations.
5. Coordination in the event of incidents: In the event of an accident at work or a safety-related incident, the HSE manager leads the investigation and documents the causes in order to minimise future risks.
6. Reporting: Regular reports to management on the current status of the HSE management system and opportunities for optimisation are also part of his duties.

Distinction from occupational safety specialists (Sifa)

Although the responsibilities of the HSE manager and the occupational safety specialist (Sifa) overlap, there are clear differences. The occupational safety specialist mainly acts in an advisory capacity and supports the employer in fulfilling their obligations in the area of occupational safety. They carry out risk assessments, organise training courses and monitor compliance with safety regulations.

The HSE manager, on the other hand, has a broader role: in addition to occupational safety, they are also responsible for environmental management and health management. They are often more involved in strategic decisions and have a coordinating role across several company locations. While an occupational safety specialist acts purely in an advisory capacity, the HSE manager independently implements projects and is responsible for compliance with HSE standards in the company.

Areas of application and industries for HSE managers

HSE managers are primarily employed in industrial sectors with high safety requirements, including:

• Chemical and petrochemical industry: Due to the increased hazards posed by chemicals and the complexity of the processes, HSE managers are indispensable here.
• Manufacturing industry and mechanical engineering: This often involves managing machine and personal safety as well as handling heavy machinery.
• Energy industry and plant engineering: High safety standards and compliance with environmental regulations require experienced HSE managers.
• Construction industry: Due to the high number of external companies and changing work locations, comprehensive HSE management is necessary.
• Logistics and transport: Special requirements with regard to hazardous goods and the handling of heavy loads make the use of an HSE manager advisable.

In addition, HSE managers are increasingly being employed in office environments, particularly in larger companies that view environmental and health management as part of their corporate strategy.

The HSE manager is an indispensable position in companies that want to implement health protection, occupational safety and environmental protection strategically and effectively. The role not only provides safety for the workforce, but also ensures compliance with laws and standards, which leads to an improvement in the company’s image in the long term. With an experienced HSE manager on board, companies are well equipped to meet all health, safety and environmental requirements and benefit from a reduction in accident and environmental risks.

HSE-Ingenieure GmbH provides HSE managers for individual projects, but also as permanent positions in companies. If you are interested in an initial consultation, please feel free to contact us.