Safety Engineer

Why Tarlton Tarlton is a St. Louis-based general contractor and construction manager specializing in complex, technically demanding projects across the Midwest. With deep regional roots and a reputation built on trust, teamwork, and repeat clients, we are known for taking on challenging work and delivering it safely, predictably, and with pride.

We conduct our business with safety, quality, integrity, and enthusiasm—and our core values include building a safe and caring environment.

Your Role

The Safety Engineer supports safety policies, procedures, and activities under the direction of the Corporate Safety Manager, managing all safety aspects of assigned divisions/projects from planning and start-up through close-out. This role exists because Tarlton’s safety culture is built on presence, not just paperwork — as a Safety Engineer, you’ll be the consistent safety voice across your assigned projects.

You’ll champion and strengthen the safety culture by promoting proactive safety practices that go beyond compliance and encouraging employee ownership of safety at all levels of the organization. This role navigates the unique safety challenges of large-scale, multi-trade commercial and industrial construction from airport infrastructure to hospital builds — where coordination and situational awareness matter as much as technical knowledge.

The Safety Engineer reviews, maintains, implements, and enforces Tarlton’s Safety Program, along with federal, state, and local regulations, and coordinates and manages Loss Control efforts as they relate to safety and security on jobsites.

What You'll Do

Safety Program Management Execution Review, implement, and enforce Tarlton’s Safety Program within your assigned divisions/projects, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Coordinate and manage Loss Control efforts as they relate to safety and security on jobsites. Review subcontractors’ safety programs to ensure they meet or exceed project safety requirements.

Ensure each subcontractor designates a safety representative who is professionally trained in their scope of work and has the authority to correct safety issues. Partner directly with subcontractor foremen and superintendents to align their crews with Tarlton’s safety expectations before work begins, using influence as much as authority — including pre-task planning, monitoring compliance with project safety requirements, and corrective action follow-up.

Assist, where assigned, to achieve the Safety Department’s Business Plan Goals. Maintain regular communication with the Corporate Safety Manager on the status of assigned projects. Regularly communicate with project teams and interact with owners/clients on assigned projects. Site Inspections Incident Management Conduct and document regular job site inspections, using findings to positively reinforce good practices and resolve deficiencies with the team.

Model and reinforce Stop Work Authority when imminent hazards are identified — not just as a policy, but as the most visible example of a safety-first culture in action — and ensure field crews understand and are empowered to do the same. Investigate all incidents and generate proper reports; assist with medical case management, including initial first aid, clinical visits, and incident reporting, in coordination with the Corporate Safety Director/Manager.

Periodically review Pre-Task Safety Plans (PTSPs) with project teams and ensure communication down to each craft worker; assist project teams with daily, weekly, and monthly safety activities as needed. Maintain and audit safety documentation including Pre-Task Safety Plans (PTSPs), Toolbox Talks (TBTs), Job Safety Analysis Reports (JSARs), and Daily Logs to ensure project compliance.

Analyze safety observation trends, Jobsite Safety Audit Report completion rates, and inspection data to identify patterns and drive targeted improvement, not just collect paperwork. Attend owner-initiated safety walkthroughs and project meetings as necessary. Coordinate and interact with insurance carrier Loss Control inspections on assigned projects, as needed.

Manage OSHA recordkeeping requirements, including OSHA 300/301/300A logs, and ensure timely incident reporting per regulatory requirements. Training Development Coach, develop, and mentor project teams on safety planning. Serve as the in-house contact on safety-related issues, from corporate policy to construction methods and procedures and their relationship to Loss Control.

Assist in developing corporate safety training and serve as an instructor in areas of technical expertise. Participate in professional industry organizations for personal, professional, and corporate development. Participate in the Safety Committee and chair an assigned subcommittee to proactively develop safety programs and initiatives.

Champion and strengthen Tarlton’s existing proactive safety culture that goes beyond compliance, encouraging employee ownership of safety at all levels of the organization. Perform various other duties that may be assigned by the company.