EHS Head

Role & responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Leads the entire EHS function across a large site or multiple project sites.
  
• Designs safety systems, policies, frameworks.
  
• Advises Project Director, Site Head, and top management.
  

2. Operational Safety

The EHS Head must manage safety for high-risk activities such as:

• Work at height (scaffolding, towers)
  
• Lifting operations (cranes, hydras)
  
• Confined spaces
  
• Hot work (welding, cutting)
  
• Excavation & trenching
  
• Heavy machinery movement
  
• Chemical and hazardous materials handling
  

Daily responsibilities:

• Conduct safety audits
  
• Monitor PTW (Permit to Work) system
  
• Carry out risk assessments (HIRA/JSA)
  
• Investigate incidents & implement CAPA
  
• Ensure emergency response readiness
  

People Management & Training

training people who do not naturally follow safety protocols

• Labour workers
  
• Contractors
  
• Engineers
  
• Supervisors
  

They must conduct:

• Toolbox talks
  
• Induction training
  
• Awareness campaigns
  
• Contractor safety briefings
  

The EHS Head often manages a team of:

• Safety officers
  
• Supervisors
  
• Fire safety personnel
  
• Emergency response team
  

Documentation, Compliance, and Reporting

They maintain:

• Legal registers
  
• Environmental compliance
  
• Safety manuals
  
• Waste management logs
  
• MIS reports & KPI dashboards
  

They also interact regularly with:

• Pollution Control Boards
  
• Factory Inspectorate
  
• Local authorities
  
• Corporate EHS teams
  

Qualifications Required

Mandatory:

• B.Tech/Diploma (Mechanical, Civil, Chemical preferred)
  

• ADIS / NEBOSH / IOSH

  must have

Preferred:

• Lead Auditor for ISO 45001 / ISO 14001
  
• Experience in

  large-scale projects

  (L&T, Tata Projects, Shapoorji, Afcons, NCC, etc.)

Why This Role is Critical Especially in Construction

Construction sites in India involve:

• Thousands of labourers
  
• Dangerous machinery
  
• Tight timelines
  
• Complex contractor operations
  

One accident can:

• Shut down the site
  
• Lead to legal cases
  
• Create huge financial and reputational damage