Exploring a career in occupational health and safety can be an exciting and rewarding opportunity. Learn more about the roles available and discover how to get the qualifications you need to enter this challenging field.
What Are Occupational Health and Safety Professionals?
Occupational health and safety professionals are experts in the field of protecting people in the workplace. They monitor operations, ensuring employees follow proper safety procedures and that any hazards are eliminated or reduced. They may also develop and implement plans to improve ergonomics, recommend job restructuring, inspect machinery for danger signs, train workers about risks, conduct industrial hygiene studies, provide health and wellness advice, and create emergency response plans.
How Do You Become an Occupational Health and Safety Professional?
Becoming an occupational health and safety professional typically requires a combination of related experience, education, and specialized certifications or licenses. Education requirements can vary among employers but generally include at least a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a closely related field. Professional certifications from organizations such as the American Board of Industrial Hygiene are also helpful. Most states also require occupational health and safety professionals to be licensed or certified in the specific field they work in. To stay up-to-date on industry standards, successful professionals should actively participate in continuing education classes throughout their career.
Where Can an Occupational Health and Safety Professional Work?
Occupational health and safety professionals can work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, energy production, healthcare, agriculture, and hospitality. Professionals may work at individual worksites or travel around to different locations as an independent consultant. In addition to on-site jobs, some professionals have the option of focusing on research and academia. Regardless of the specific industry they are working in, occupational health and safety professionals are responsible for ensuring that employees are working in safe conditions and following federal, state, and local regulations.
What Qualifications Are Needed to Become an Occupational Health and Safety Professional?
To become an occupational health and safety professional, it is important to have the right qualifications. Depending on the specific job, employers may require a degree in public health or a related field. Qualified professionals should also have experience in areas such as hazardous material handling, safety inspections, accident investigations and OSHA compliance. Additionally, some employers require certification or specialist training to work in this field.
What Types of Jobs Are Available in the Field of Occupational Health and Safety?
Jobs in the field of occupational health and safety are varied and can range from entry-level positions such as safety inspectors and hazardous material handlers to senior-level roles, such as OHS consultants or managers. Potential employers include factories, warehouses, healthcare facilities, oil rigs, shipping companies, engineering firms, construction sites and other industries that involve a measure of risk to employees. Other possible careers in occupational health and safety include insurance auditors, emergency responders, industrial hygienists, and trainers.
