Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

Career summary

Occupational health and safety technicians evaluate the safety measures of different work spaces. They provide consultation to businesses to help prevent hazards. Technicians run tests to see if there are any environmental hazards such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise. They make sure safety gear is working properly and replace it if necessary. Sometimes they prepare orders for new equipment. 

Occupational health and safety technicians make sure health and safety standards are being met. If they find safety issues, they create plans to improve safety. They train workers in safety related procedures and create emergency response drills. They keep logs of all work activities. 

In addition, they also inspect fire suppression systems or portable fire systems to ensure proper working order. In the event of a fire, they help direct rescue and firefighting operations. 

Occupational health and safety technicians also review records and reports concerning laboratory results, staffing, floor plans, fire inspections, or sanitation to gather information for the development or enforcement of safety activities. They occasionally prepare documents for legal proceedings.

Related careers

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

Related careers include:

• Agricultural Inspectors
• Animal Control Workers
• Audio-Visual Specialists
• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Computer User Support Specialists
• Conservation Scientists
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Detectives and Investigators
• Dispatchers
• Energy Auditors
• Environmental Engineering Technicians
• Fire Inspectors
• Firefighters
• Forestry Technicians
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
• Radiologic Technologists

Military careers

• Environmental Health and Safety Specialists

Job duties

Task list

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

• Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.
• Test safety equipment to make sure it is working properly.
• Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.
• Maintain personal safety equipment.
• Evaluate situations when a worker has refused to work because of dangerous conditions.
• Train workers on safety procedures.
• Train workers how to operate personal safety equipment.
• Keep records of all work activities.
• Plan emergency response drills.
• Test fire suppression systems and portable fire systems.
• Help direct rescue and firefighting efforts in the event of a fire.
• Order updated safety equipment when necessary.

Common work activities

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

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

Work requirements

Working conditions

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

Interpersonal relationships

• Are in contact with others each day by phone, e-mail, and in person.
• Have a high level of social contact through phone, email, and in person conversations.
• Work with coworkers on a team and sometimes lead the work of others.
• Work with customers.
• Be responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Be responsible for your work and the work of others.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors. Sometimes work outdoors when inspecting facilities or collecting samples.
• Outdoor work sites may not be under cover, and indoor locations may not have heating or air conditioning.
• Sometimes work in a closed vehicle when visiting worksites.
• May work physically near others.
• Sometimes experience loud sounds and distracting noise levels.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• Are occasionally exposed to hazardous conditions and equipment. Wear protective gear in these situations.

Work performance

• Cause extremely serious errors if they make a mistake.
• Make decisions that have major impact on others.
• Make most decisions without consulting a supervisor. Set daily goals and tasks independently.
• Must be accurate and precise.
• Often repeat the same mental and physical activities.
• Work in a moderately competitive environment and must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

• Work a regular schedule.
• Usually have a set schedule and work 40 hours per week. May work more than 40 hours a week to meet deadlines.

Physical demands

Occupational health and safety technicians frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

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

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• 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 technicians to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• 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.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• 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 technicians need to:

Communicate

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

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

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

• Teach others how to do something.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

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.

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 to consider

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Occupational Safety and Health Technology

Training

To work as a occupational health and safety technician, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some employers require that occupational health and safety technicians have an associate’s degree or certificate from a community college or vocational school. Typical programs include courses in respiratory protection, hazard communication, and storage procedures.

Work experience

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

On-the-job training

Most occupational health and safety technicians receive on-the-job training. They learn about specific laws and inspection procedures and learn to recognize hazards. The length of training varies.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be environmental health and safety technicians. 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 . 

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

Licensing/certification

Certification is voluntary, but encouraged by many employers. Certification is available through several organizations, depending on the field in which the technicians work.

Wages

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

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

Employment and 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:

• Government
• Manufacturing companies
• Construction companies

National outlook

Demand for these technicians will grow faster than average. Technicians will be needed to ensure employers are following both existing and new regulations.

Those with a background in the sciences, experience in more than one area of health and safety, or certification will have the best prospects.

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

Chemistry Careers 

Explore Health Careers: Built Environment Specialist 

Explore Health Careers: Occupational Health and Safety Expert 

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

Industrial Hygiene Careers 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 

References

Career cluster

• Government and Public Administration

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Occupational Health and Safety Technicians (29-9012.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Occupational-safety-and-health Inspector (168.167-062) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Realistic/Investigative

COPSystem

• Service Skilled