BESS Safety Director-Construction

Description

Job Summary:

The Director of Safety – BESS is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all safety, health, and environmental (HSE) programs related to Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. This role ensures regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and a strong safety culture across all phases of BESS development, construction, commissioning, and operations. The Director will serve as the subject matter expert for BESS-specific hazards, including electrical safety, thermal runaway risk, fire prevention, and emergency response. 

Job Responsibilities:

Safety Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead a comprehensive BESS safety program aligned with OSHA, NFPA, NEC, IFC, and local AHJ requirements. 
• Establish company-wide safety standards, policies, and procedures specific to BESS construction and operations. 
• Serve as the primary safety authority for all BESS projects. 
• Champion a proactive, “zero-incident” safety culture across all teams and contractors. 

BESS-Specific Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate hazards related to high-voltage systems, lithium-ion batteries, thermal runaway, arc flash, and fire suppression systems. 
• Review BESS designs, layouts, and construction methodologies for safety and code compliance. 
• Develop and implement Emergency Response Plans (ERP) for fire, explosion, and hazardous material events. 
• Coordinate with local fire departments, AHJs, and emergency responders on site-specific response planning. 

Construction & Field Safety Oversight

• Oversee site safety plans (SSSP) for all BESS construction projects. 
• Conduct site audits, inspections, and safety observations. 
• Ensure compliance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), energized work permits, confined space, hot work, and fall protection requirements. 
• Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation. 
• Oversee the staffing and training of core site safety professionals to staff all BESS projects. 
• Build a team of supporting contractors that provide additional safety staffing as needed. 

Compliance & Regulatory

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, NFPA 855, NEC Article 706, IFC, and applicable state/local regulations. 
• Manage safety documentation, reporting, and recordkeeping. 
• Serve as the primary contact during regulatory inspections or audits. 
• Track and report safety metrics, KPIs, and trends to executive leadership. 

Training & Development

• Develop and deliver BESS-specific safety training programs. 
• Ensure required certifications and qualifications are maintained for employees and contractors. 
• Lead toolbox talks, safety stand-downs, and leadership safety engagements. 
• Mentor site safety managers and safety professionals. 

Contractor & Vendor Management

• Prequalify contractors and vendors for safety performance. 
• Ensure contractor safety programs meet or exceed company standards. 
• Enforce safety expectations across all subcontractors and suppliers. 
• Participate in vendor selection and review from a safety perspective. 

Incident Management & Continuous Improvement

• Lead investigations of incidents, near misses, and high-potential events. 
• Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned and corrective actions. 
• Analyze safety data to identify trends and prevent future incidents. 
• Support insurance, claims, and legal teams as needed. 
• Ensure all incident reviews are appropriately completed with the customer, focusing on future collaboration, process refinement and growth.  
• Drive continued Best Practices for Safety development within the BESS team 
• Coordinate all efforts with the BESS Director and Director of Construction. 

Requirements

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent experience). 
• 10+ years of safety leadership experience in energy, construction, or industrial environments. 
• Demonstrated experience with utility-scale BESS or high-voltage electrical systems. 
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA, NFPA, NEC, IFC, and BESS-related codes and standards. 
• Proven experience leading safety programs across multiple active construction sites. 
• Ability to travel extensively to project sites. 

Preferred Qualifications

• CSP, CHST, or equivalent safety certification. 
• Experience with lithium-ion battery systems and