HSE Engineer Job Description and Duties

Updated on: April 1, 2022
Position Overview

Working across many industries, health, safety, and environmental engineers provide technical guidance to ensure the development, implementation, and improvement of environmental programs.

HSE engineers interpret existing environmental regulations and design specifically focused plans to minimize environmental hazards such as spills.

As this is highly technical work, therefore requires people to be deeply knowledgeable about the HSE management systems.

People who have experience with behavior-based safety systems are usually considered good fits for this job.

A bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or chemistry is usually a prerequisite for this position.

One has to be self-motivated and willing to take over ownership of environmental issues within a facility to be successful at this job which is why people who are responsive and self-directed are chosen for this position.

HSE engineers confer with site superintendents on a daily basis to understand what types of field activities are about to take place so that they can devise and implement safety programs.

Their initiatives are not only focused on ensuring facility safety; the measures that they take are also aimed at ensuring the safety of workers.

In case of emergencies, HSE engineers implement corrective plans to minimize the effect of an accident.

If you are conversant with international safety standards and have some experience working as an HSE engineer, you will be interested in the following job duties particular to this position:

See also: HSE Engineer Resume

HSE Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

• Gauge a facility’s risk pertaining to environmental hazards and make plans to avert or avoid them.

• Plot details of safety programs according to international safety standards and ensure timely implementation of each plan.

• Interface with superintendents or supervisors to understand the type of activities that will take place on a daily basis.

• Provide safe cover by devising and implementing health and safety programs.

• Delegate responsibilities to HSE officers to cover each angle of facility safety management.

• Investigate unsafe acts and situations and take measures to prevent recurrences.

• Mark hazardous areas with safety posters, hazard flashes, and site safety campaign promotional materials.

• Interpret existing environmental regulations and develop plans to drive continual improvement actions.

• Develop and implement environmental projects that focus on waste management and minimization.

• Facilitate root cause analysis in case of safety emergencies and create appropriate reports to document progress.

• Serve as an HSE contact within the facility and provide leadership and technical support on HSE programs in the designated area.

• Integrate health, safety, and environment processes and practices into daily operations.

• Participate in routine HSE activities including corrective actions, investigations, and onsite audits.