Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Additional Information
Duties
Specialists and technicians in occupational health and safety often perform the following duties:
- Inspect, test, and assess the safety and requirements of the working environment, equipment, and procedures.
- Report their results in a written form.
- Workplace rules and methods that safeguard workers from dangerous circumstances should be developed and implemented.
- Analyze workplace health and safety initiatives.
- Preparing and distributing training programs for businesses and employees to educate them about workplace safety.
- Show how to properly use safety gear.
- Identify the causes of mishaps and accidents, and then devise a plan to prevent them in the future.
Occupational health and safety experts assess the workplace for environmental or physical elements that might have an impact on employee health, safety, comfort, and performance. There are a number of things they could look at, including lighting, equipment, materials and ventilation. It is possible for technicians to verify that workers are using the appropriate safety equipment, such as masks and hardhats.
Education
You normally require a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety or a similar discipline like biology or healthcare and related fields to become an occupational safety expert. An advanced degree in industrial hygiene, health physics, or a closely related field may be necessary for some roles. Ergonomics, writing and communication, occupational safety management, and accident prevention are just a few examples of common electives.
A high school diploma is often required for occupational health and safety technicians. Students who want to pursue a career in this field should take English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics in high school.
Some firms prefer to recruit technicians who have an associate's or certificate from a community college or vocational school as a prerequisite for their positions. Typically, these programs are completed in less than two years. Respiratory protection, hazard communication, and safe material handling and storage are a few of the topics covered in these classes.
Qualities that are critical to success
The ability to effectively utilize modern technologies. Experts and technicians in occupational health and safety must be able to work with cutting-edge technologies. They're used to working with high-tech testing tools.
The ability to communicate. Specialists and technicians in occupational health and safety need to be able to convey safety instructions and concerns to workers and management alike. They routinely write reports and teach their coworkers in safety procedures.
A stickler for the smallest of details. Specialists and technicians in the field of occupational health and safety must be familiar with and adhere to a wide range of government rules and safety requirements.
Stamina of the body. Specialists and technicians in occupational health and safety need to be able to stand for lengthy amounts of time and travel often. Tunnels and mines, for example, can be uncomfortably claustrophobic for some.
Ability to work with issues. These professionals must be adept at solving challenges in order to establish and execute workplace processes and procedures that assist safeguard workers from dangerous environments.
Certificates, Permits, and Permit Numbers
Despite the fact that certification is voluntary, many companies prefer it. Specialists can get certification from a variety of organizations, depending on the sector they operate in. Most certification examinations only allow candidates who have completed a recognized educational program and have relevant job experience to sit for them. Continuing education is often needed of experts in order to maintain their accreditation.
A wide range of professional qualifications are available to occupational safety and health professionals and technicians, including:
The following credentials are available from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals:
Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
A Safety Professional in Training (ASP)
Technologist in the field of occupational health and safety (OHST)
Technician in the field of construction health and safety (CHST)
Certified Industrial Hygienists are awarded by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (CIH)
Training
On-the-job training is the norm for technicians in the field of occupational health and safety. As part of their training, they learn about particular rules and regulations, as well as how to conduct tests and spot any dangers. How long an employee's training lasts depends on the employee's degree of experience, education and industry.
A combination of relevant job experience and formal education might lead to a career as a technician. They may be asked to perform health and safety duties at their place of employment. Volunteering to do yearly workstation inspections in an office where you currently work may be one example of this.
Pay
The median annual wage for occupational health and safety specialists was $83,910 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,610, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $130,460.
Job Projections
Overall employment of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians is projected to grow 14 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.