Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Career summary

Occupational health and safety specialists, depending on the focus of their work, can be called sanitarians, industrial hygienists, health and safety inspectors, or occupational health and safety inspectors.

Occupational health and safety specialists work for government agencies. They investigate reports of unsafe working conditions. Sometimes they are called when several workers experience unusual illnesses. They also inspect factories and other production facilities on a regular basis to ensure safety standards and government regulations are met.

Occupational health and safety specialists inspect work places. They look for health hazards such as unsafe machinery or bad air quality. Specialists analyze issues such as:

• Lighting
• Ventilation
• Temperature

Specialists collect samples of the air, dust, and other materials. They use many types of equipment to take these samples. They may also talk to workers to learn about their symptoms or health hazards they have seen.

In addition, specialists read doctors' reports about workers illnesses. They investigate to determine if worker illnesses are related to their jobs.

After they gather information, specialists determine which, if any, health hazards are present. They write reports listing the hazards and their recommendations for changing or removing them.

Specialists may help employers make the changes. For example, they may talk to engineers about ways to redesign equipment. They may also teach workers how to prevent accidents, or injuries from overworking their muscles. They may train new employees about specific safety policies. They also maintain specific plans for how to handle emergencies.

Occasionally, workers sue their employers because of work-related injuries or illnesses. Specialists prepare documents about their findings for these hearings. They may also testify in court.

Related careers

This career is part of the Government and Public Administration cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Compliance Officers and Inspectors
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Emergency Management Directors
• Environmental Engineers
• Fire Inspectors
• Fire Investigators
• Forensic Science Technicians
• Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
• Safety Engineers
• Transportation Inspectors

Military careers

• Environmental Health and Safety Officers
• Environmental Health and Safety Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to occupational health and safety specialists.

• Recommend measures to protect workers from potentially dangerous methods, materials, or processes.
• Order certain activities that are dangerous for workers to end.
• Investigate accidents to identify causes and how to prevent them.
• Analyze lighting, ventilation, temperature, and other environmental factors.
• Prepare and adjust equipment used to collect and analyze samples.
• Teach employees how to prevent accidents and care for their health.
• Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, and other potentially harmful materials.
• Record test results.
• Review doctors' reports. Conduct worker studies to determine if their illnesses are job-related.
• Develop different programs, such as noise surveys and asbestos management plans.
• Prepare reports about their findings and recommendations.
• Work with engineers and physicians to fix hazardous conditions.
• Prepare documents for hearings. May testify in court.
• Maintain emergency response plans and procedures.

Common work activities

Occupational health and safety specialists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Evaluate information against standards
• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Document and record information
• Analyze data or information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Process information
• Teach others
• Use computers
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Develop and build teams
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Develop goals and strategies
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Schedule work and activities
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Think creatively
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Coach others
• Assist and care for others
• Perform administrative tasks

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, occupational health and safety specialists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of workers.
• Have a medium level of social contact. They talk to workers and business owners, but also work alone while analyzing data.
• Rely heavily on e-mail, phone, and face-to-face discussions to communicate with others.
• Often work as part of a team.
• Are, on rare occasions, placed in conflict situations.
• Have limited responsibility for the work done by others.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors. However, they may work outdoors on rare occasions while collecting samples or inspecting buildings.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants. There is only a low likelihood of slight injury from this exposure.
• Outdoor work sites may not be under cover, and indoor locations may not have adequate heating or air conditioning.
• Sometimes are exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels.
• Usually work in close proximity to others.
• Are occasionally exposed to hazardous conditions and equipment. Wear protective gear in these situations.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done. Errors could cause injury to workers.
• Make decisions that greatly impact coworkers or their company's reputation. They often act independently, only rarely consulting a supervisor.
• Usually do not consult a supervisor before setting daily goals and tasks.
• Must meet strict weekly and monthly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work 40 hours per week or more. Schedules are typically regular.
• May work nights or weekends to meet deadlines.
• Travel to different work places for inspections.

Physical demands

Occupational health and safety specialists frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for occupational health and safety specialists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for occupational health and safety specialists to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

Skills and abilities

Occupational health and safety specialists need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.

Use math and science

• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Work with things

• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Safety and Health

Other programs of study to consider

• Biomedical Sciences, General
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Engineering, General
• Mathematics
• Occupational Safety and Health Technology
• Physical Sciences, General
• Physics
• Public and Community Health

Training

To work as an occupational health and safety specialist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have at least a bachelor's degree.

Education after high school

Occupational health and safety specialists learn their skills through formal training programs. Specialists need at least a bachelor's degree in a safety-related field. Common areas of study are safety engineering, industrial hygiene, and chemical engineering. Regardless of your major, you should take courses in math and science.

Work experience

Experience as a safety professional may be required for many positions.

On-the-job training

Health and safety specialists learn about laws and inspection procedures on the job. They also are supervised by an experienced worker in the beginning. 

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be environmental health and safety specialists. Training lasts 11 to 19 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements. Occupational health and safety specialists use math and science frequently. Try to take math classes through Calculus and science classes through Physics.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers require occupational health and safety specialists to have at least a bachelor's degree. They prefer to hire specialists who majored in chemistry, physics, or engineering.

Employers look for specialists who have good communication skills. They also look for good analytical skills and the ability to work well with others.

A graduate degree may be necessary for some administrative or professional jobs.

Tips

Work experience in a small city or rural area will provide a broad background which may increase chances for promotion. Field training is an advantage for entry-level positions. Course work in the field being regulated is helpful. A master's degree in a health field or training in personnel management may ensure more rapid and continuing advancement. Applicants who are bilingual may have an advantage.

Costs to workers

Some workers may pay annual dues to belong to a professional association.

Licensing/certification

Workers may choose to become certified industrial hygienists through the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. See contact information in the Other Resources section of this description.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer, specialty, and the worker's level of experience.

Occupational health and safety specialists who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Local, state, and federal government agencies
• Hospitals

National outlook

Demand for these specialists will grow about as fast as average. Public interest in safety in the work place will spur growth. Issues such as emergency preparedness, changing regulations, the environment, and technological advances in safety equipment and threats will all increase the public’s interest in this field. Budget cuts by government may limit some growth.

The best job prospects are for those with advanced degrees. Many job openings are expected due to retirements.

Other resources

American Board of Industrial Hygiene 
6005 West St. Joseph Hwy, Suite 300
Lansing, MI 48917-4876
517.321.2638

American Chemical Society 
1155 Sixteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
800.227.5558

American College of Medical Toxicology 
10645 N. Tatum Blvd Suite 200-111
Phoenix, AZ 85028

American Industrial Hygiene Association 
3141 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 777
Falls Church, VA 22042
703.849.8888

Board of Certified Safety Professionals 

Explore Health Careers: Built Environment Specialist 

Explore Health Careers: Environmental Health Practitioner 

Explore Health Careers: Occupational Health and Safety Expert 

Health Physics Society (HPS) 
950 Herndon Parkway, Suite 450
Herndon, VA 20170

Industrial Hygiene Careers 

National Environmental Health Association 
720 South Colorado Boulevard, Suite 1000-N
Denver, CO 80246
866.956.2258
303.756.9090

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 

Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians 
PO Box 384
Snohomish, WA 98291
425.377.1855

Washington State Environmental Health Association 
PO Box 721
South Bend, WA 98586
360.875.8058

Water Environment Federation 
601 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
800.666.0206

References

Career cluster

• Government and Public Administration

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists (29-9011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Industrial Hygienist (079.161-010) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Investigative/Conventional/Realistic
• Investigative/Conventional/Social

COPSystem

• Service Skilled