SSHO

Job Title: Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO)

Job Description

The Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) oversees all aspects of the Site Occupational Health and Safety (SOH) program on a federal construction project. This role ensures strict compliance with OSHA regulations, project-specific safety requirements, and contract provisions by developing, implementing, and enforcing site-specific safety and health plans, procedures, and training. The SSHO serves as the primary on-site safety authority, coordinating with contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and project stakeholders to maintain a safe work environment and to prevent accidents, incidents, and unsafe conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the employer's overall safety and occupational health (SOH) program at both the corporate and project levels, ensuring ultimate accountability for safety performance on the project.
• Identify and define roles, responsibilities, and accountability for all personnel with safety responsibilities at the corporate and project levels, and ensure their alignment with the SOH program.
• Ensure that Competent and Qualified Persons required by OSHA are identified, documented, and assigned, and maintain proof of their competency and qualifications.
• Enforce the requirement that no work is performed unless a designated competent person is present on the job site, and verify that competent persons are actively overseeing work activities.
• Develop, implement, and maintain pre-task Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) for all work activities, ensuring they address specific hazards, work sequences, site conditions, equipment, materials, and control measures.
• Establish and communicate clear lines of authority for safety and health responsibilities across the project team, including contractors and subcontractors.
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures addressing noncompliance with safety requirements, including disciplinary actions for safety violations.
• Coordinate SOH activities with all subcontractors and suppliers on the job site, including defining and communicating their safety responsibilities and ensuring alignment with the project's safety program.
• Ensure all employees receive site-specific SOH orientation training at the time of initial hire or assignment to the project, prior to performing any work on the project site.
• Manage and verify mandatory training and certifications applicable to the project (such as explosive actuated tools, crane operations, rigging, crane signal person, fall protection, electrical lockout/NFPA 70E, machine/equipment lockout, confined space, and other relevant topics), including requirements for periodic retraining and recertification.
• Establish and oversee ongoing safety and health training programs for supervisors and employees to address changes in site hazards, conditions, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all workers on site complete OSHA 10-hour training and that Trade Competent Persons complete OSHA 30-hour training, and maintain documentation of these trainings.
• Plan, schedule, and conduct a minimum of daily job site safety and health inspections during periods of work activity, or designate qualified personnel (such as a Site Safety and Health Competent Person) to perform these inspections.
• Verify the training and qualifications of individuals performing safety and health inspections, and ensure inspections are properly documented with a robust deficiency tracking system and follow-up procedures.
• Coordinate any external safety inspections or certifications that may be required, such as those performed by Certified Safety Professionals (CSP) or Certified Safety and Health Technicians (CSHT).
• Lead or coordinate accident and incident investigations for all moderate and major incidents, as well as all high visibility incidents, ensuring thorough documentation and root cause analysis.
• Prepare and provide exposure data (man-hours worked), accident investigation reports, and project site injury and illness logs to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) as required.
• Develop, implement, and maintain site-specific compliance and accident prevention plans based on risk assessments of contracted activities and mandatory requirements, addressing occupational, patient, and public safety risks.
• Establish and enforce procedures and plans for emergency response, severe weather contingencies, fire prevention, medical support, and posting of emergency telephone numbers.
• Implement and oversee programs addressing prevention of alcohol and drug abuse, site sanitation (including housekeeping, drinking water, and toilets), night operations and lighting, and hazard communication.
• Develop and enforce procedures for welding and cutting ("hot work"), electrical safe work practices (including electrical lockout/tagout and NFPA 70E compliance), general electrical safety, and hazardous energy control (machine lockout/tagout).
• Create and manage site-specific fall protection and prevention plans, ensuring all fall hazards are identified and controlled in accordance with applicable standards.
• Oversee safety procedures for excavation and trenching, asbestos abatement, lead abatement, crane critical lifts, respiratory protection, and radiation safety programs.
• Implement safety controls and monitoring programs for abrasive blasting, heat and cold stress, crystalline silica exposure (assessment and monitoring), and other relevant health hazards.
• Develop and manage demolition plans (including engineering surveys), and ensure safe practices for formwork and shoring erection and removal, as well as precast concrete operations.
• Ensure public safety measures are in place and compliant with applicable standards, including mandatory compliance with ANSI/ASSE A10.34-2012 for public protection around construction activities.
• Prepare and submit the Accident Prevention Plan (APP) and all related attachments to the COR for review and acceptance in accordance with contract requirements and specified timelines.
• Ensure that no work proceeds until the APP is accepted, and once accepted, enforce the APP as a binding part of the contract.
• Monitor ongoing compliance with the APP and contract provisions, and coordinate with the Contracting Officer and COR to address any deviations or noncompliance.
• Take immediate action to stop work and secure areas where severe hazards or imminent danger conditions are identified, and develop and implement plans to remove exposures and control hazards.
• Notify the Contracting Officer within required timeframes of any severe hazard exposures or imminent danger conditions, and ensure hazards are eliminated or controlled while maintaining safe working conditions.
• Manage and update the APP and associated safety procedures as work progresses, ensuring changes are made with the knowledge and concurrence of the COR.
• Prepare, review, and maintain AHAs for all new work activities, especially those involving hazards not previously encountered on the project or when new work crews or subcontractors are introduced.
• Ensure AHAs clearly define work activities, sequences, anticipated hazards, site conditions, equipment, materials, and control measures, and that they are communicated to all affected personnel.
• Promote a proactive safety culture on site by engaging workers, supervisors, subcontractors, and suppliers in hazard recognition, reporting, and continuous improvement of safety practices.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of experience serving in a Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) role in a federal construction environment.
• Current OSHA 30-hour training certification, with the ability to demonstrate and maintain this credential.
• Proven experience managing safety programs on federal construction projects, including coordination with contracting officers and government representatives.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and federal safety standards applicable to construction, including requirements for Competent and Qualified Persons.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and enforcing Accident Prevention Plans (APPs) and site-specific safety programs.
• Ability to prepare, review, and manage Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) or equivalent job hazard analyses for complex construction activities.
• Experience conducting daily job site safety and health inspections, documenting findings, and managing deficiency tracking and corrective actions.
• Proficiency in accident and incident investigation, including root cause analysis and preparation of formal reports and logs.
• Ability to plan and deliver safety and health training, orientations, and toolbox talks for workers, supervisors, and trade personnel.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple safety plans, inspections, training records, and regulatory documentation.
• Effective communication skills to interact with contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and project stakeholders regarding safety expectations and requirements.
• Capability to stop work when severe hazards or imminent danger conditions are identified, and to lead hazard elimination and control efforts.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience on VA or similar federal medical center construction projects is highly beneficial.
• Familiarity with NFPA 70E requirements, electrical safe work practices, and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Experience managing safety programs that address asbestos and lead abatement, respiratory protection, and radiation safety.
• Knowledge of safety requirements for crane critical lifts, rigging, and crane signaling operations.
• Experience implementing and monitoring programs for heat and cold stress, crystalline silica exposure, and abrasive blasting.
• Understanding of demolition safety, including engineering surveys, formwork and shoring safety, and precast concrete operations.
• Familiarity with ANSI/ASSE A10.34-2012 standards related to public protection on construction sites.
• Ability to coordinate external safety inspections or certifications, such as those performed by Certified Safety Professionals (CSP) or Certified Safety and Health Technicians (CSHT).
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt safety procedures to changing site conditions and project phases.
• Comfort working in a highly regulated federal environment with strict documentation, reporting, and compliance requirements.

Work Environment

This role is based on a federal construction project at a VA medical facility, focused on expanding an existing building within an active healthcare environment. The SSHO works primarily on-site, in and around active construction areas that may include interior and exterior spaces, demolition zones, excavation and trenching operations, and areas where heavy equipment and cranes operate. The project environment requires close coordination with multiple contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, and involves strict adherence to federal, VA, and OSHA safety requirements. Work typically follows standard construction schedules and may require presence during varying shifts or extended hours as project activities demand. The position involves frequent walking, climbing, and standing in construction areas, as well as regular inspections of scaffolding, elevated work platforms, and confined or restricted spaces. The SSHO ensures that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used consistently and correctly by all personnel on site. The work environment emphasizes a strong safety culture, detailed documentation, and ongoing training, with a focus on protecting workers, patients, visitors, and the public in and around the medical center.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of New Orleans, LA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $55.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in New Orleans,LA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.