Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Human Advantage 74%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.5 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.
Also Known As: Analysis Safety Inspector, Cause Analyst, Certified Indoor Environmentalist, Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Chemical Hygiene Officer, Construction Safety Manager, Consumer Safety Inspector, Dining Service Inspector +63 more
Core Tasks
- Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
- Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
- Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
- Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
- Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
- Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
- Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
- Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
- Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
- Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.
- Write reports.
- Inspect specified areas to ensure the presence of fire prevention equipment, safety equipment, or first-aid supplies.
- Provide new-employee health and safety orientations and develop materials for these presentations.
- Analyze incident data to identify trends in injuries, illnesses, accidents, or other hazards.
- Maintain or update emergency response plans or procedures.
- Coordinate "right-to-know" programs regarding hazardous chemicals or other substances.
- Conduct audits at hazardous waste sites or industrial sites or participate in hazardous waste site investigations.
- Develop or maintain medical monitoring programs for employees.
- Collect samples of hazardous materials or arrange for sample collection.
Supplemental Tasks (3)
- Maintain inventories of hazardous materials or hazardous wastes, using waste tracking systems to ensure that materials are handled properly.
- Prepare hazardous, radioactive, or mixed waste samples for transportation or storage by treating, compacting, packaging, and labeling them.
- Perform laboratory analyses or physical inspections of samples to detect disease or to assess purity or cleanliness.
Education & Training
Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (24)
Tools & Equipment (70)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Regulation Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 4
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists You are here
Zone 5
Investment Fund Managers 77% match
Safety & Quality Assurance Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
Zone 4
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists You are here
Zone 5
Natural Sciences Managers 79% match
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