Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

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.

On the job, you would:

Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
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.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians deliver safety trainings and instruction to employees and managers. They also write reports that effectively convey their findings.

Detail oriented. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be meticulous when checking work environments. They need to ensure that sites follow safety standards and government regulations.

Physical stamina. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to stand for long periods and may have to squat or kneel. Some work in uncomfortable environments, such as tunnels or mines.

Problem-solving skills. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians determine proper design and implementation of workplace processes or procedures to help protect workers from hazardous conditions.

Technology skills. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians use a variety of digital tools and testing equipment, such as devices that measure air quality.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		94%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		90%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		88%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		88%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		84%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		84%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		84%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		82%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		82%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		81%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		80%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		73%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		73%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		67%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		66%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		63%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		95%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
		72%	Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		78%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
		70%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
		67%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		67%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
		61%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
		61%	Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		75%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		75%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		75%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		75%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		75%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		75%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		75%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		72%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		69%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		69%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		69%	Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
		66%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		60%	Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
		56%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		56%	Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
		56%	Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
		53%	Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
		53%	Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
		53%	Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		59%	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
		59%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		59%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		57%	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
		57%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		55%	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
		55%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		55%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		55%	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
		55%	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		55%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		54%	Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
		52%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
		52%	Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Advise communities or institutions regarding health or safety issues.

Inspect work environments to ensure safety.

Design public or employee health programs.

Inspect work environments to ensure safety.

Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

Consult with others regarding safe or healthy equipment or facilities.

Conduct health or safety training programs.

Prepare healthcare training materials.

Conduct health or safety training programs.

Test facilities for environmental hazards.

Conduct health or safety training programs.

Develop emergency procedures.

Design public or employee health programs.

Inspect work environments to ensure safety.

Monitor the handling of hazardous materials or medical wastes.

Test facilities for environmental hazards.

Monitor the handling of hazardous materials or medical wastes.

Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.

Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.

Investigate safety of work environment.

Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.

Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		99%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		97%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		96%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		94%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		87%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		83%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		82%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		82%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		81%	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
		80%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		80%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		78%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		73%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		69%	Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
		68%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		68%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		67%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		66%	Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
		65%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		64%	Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
		61%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		59%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		57%	In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
		57%	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
		56%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		54%	Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
		77%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		89%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		88%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		86%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		86%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		85%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		83%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		83%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		82%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		82%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		81%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		81%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		80%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		77%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		76%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		76%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		74%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		74%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		71%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		69%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		69%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		65%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		63%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		62%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		61%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		60%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		60%	Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
		59%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		58%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		57%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		55%	Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
		51%	Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

What Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians Do

Occupational health and safety specialists inspect workplaces for adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment.

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to many types of work environments and procedures. Specialists inspect workplaces and enforce adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment. Technicians work with specialists to implement and evaluate programs aimed at mitigating risks to workers, property, the environment, and the public.

Duties

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians typically do the following:

Inspect, test, and evaluate workplace environments, programs, equipment, and practices to ensure that they follow government safety regulations
Design and implement workplace programs and procedures that control or prevent chemical, physical, or other risks to workers
Educate employers and workers about maintaining workplace safety
Demonstrate use of safety equipment and ensure proper use by workers
Investigate incidents to determine the cause and possible prevention
Prepare written reports of their findings

Occupational health and safety specialists examine worksites for environmental or physical factors that could harm employee health, safety, comfort, or performance. They then find ways to improve potential risk factors. For example, they may notice potentially hazardous conditions inside a chemical plant and suggest changes to lighting, equipment, materials, or ventilation.

Occupational health and safety technicians assist specialists by collecting data on work environments and implementing the worksite improvements that specialists plan. Technicians also may check to make sure that workers are using required protective gear, such as masks and hardhats.

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians may develop and conduct employee training programs. These programs cover a range of topics, such as how to use safety equipment correctly and how to respond in an emergency.

In the event of a workplace safety incident, specialists and technicians investigate its cause. They then analyze data from the incident, such as the number of people impacted, and look for trends in occurrence. This evaluation helps them to recommend improvements to prevent future incidents.

Work Environment

Occupational health and safety specialists held about 113,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of occupational health and safety specialists were as follows:

Government	20%
Manufacturing	17
Construction	14
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services	7
Hospitals; state, local, and private	3

Occupational health and safety technicians held about 24,700 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of occupational health and safety technicians were as follows:

Manufacturing	24%
Construction	9
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services	9
Government	9
Hospitals; state, local, and private	3

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work in a variety of indoor or outdoor settings, such as offices and factories or construction sites. Their jobs may involve considerable travel and fieldwork.

The work of these specialists may be strenuous and involve a lot of standing, squatting, and lifting. It also may be stressful, such as in cases of emergency, falling debris, or other hazardous situations. To minimize the risk of illness or injury, they use gloves, helmets, respirators, and other personal protective and safety equipment.

Work Schedules

Most occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Technicians may be on call to work weekends or irregular schedules in emergencies.

Getting Started

Education:

73%

Bachelor's Degree

18%

Master's Degree

How to Become an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist or Technician

Occupational health and safety technicians usually receive some training on the job.

Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field. Technicians typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they receive training on the job. Some pursue professional certification.

Education

Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field, such as biology or healthcare and related majors. For some positions, a master’s degree is required. In addition to science, coursework should include topics such as ergonomics, safety management, and industrial hygiene.

Occupational health and safety technicians typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation. High school students interested in this occupation should take classes in chemistry, biology, and physics. Some technicians earn an associate’s degree or certificate from a community college or university. These programs typically take 2 years or less and include courses in hazardous materials, fire prevention, and safety regulations.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Employers may prefer or require occupational health and safety specialists and technicians to have professional certification. This certification is available through several organizations, such as the Board for Global EHS Credentialing, Board of Certified Safety Professions, and National Association of Safety Professionals.

Obtaining certification typically requires graduating from an accredited educational program, completing work experience, and passing an examination. Maintaining certification usually requires completing a specified number of hours of continuing education.

Training

Occupational health and safety technicians usually receive some on-the-job training. They may learn about specific laws and regulations, how to perform inspections, and how to conduct tests. The length of training varies with the employee’s level of experience, education, and industry in which he or she works.

Occupational health and safety specialists sometimes receive on-the-job training. However, training is less common for specialists than it is for technicians.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Some employers prefer to hire occupational health and safety specialists who have prior experience in the industry. Specialists may gain this experience by working in a related occupation, such as health and safety engineer.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians is projected to grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 17,200 openings for occupational health and safety specialists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians will be needed in a variety of industries and government agencies to ensure safe working conditions that comply with regulations.

In recent years, employers have emphasized worker health, safety, and wellness. This trend is expected to continue, which should contribute to increased demand for occupational health and safety specialists and technicians.

Among the factors contributing to this demand are the adoption of new technologies, such as robotics, that require updated safety practices and the need to protect workers from climate-related hazards, such as excessive heat.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about credentialing in industrial hygiene, visit

Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)

For more information about occupations in safety, a list of safety and related academic programs, and credentialing, visit

Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)

National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP)

For more information about occupational health and safety, visit

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

To find job openings for occupational health and safety positions in the federal government, visit

USAJOBS

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Construction and Building Inspectors	Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.	High school diploma or equivalent	$64,480
Environmental Scientists and Specialists	Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health.	Bachelor's degree	$76,480
Fire Inspectors	Fire inspectors detect fire hazards, recommend prevention measures, ensure compliance with state and local fire regulations, and investigate causes of fires.	See How to Become One	$65,800
Health and Safety Engineers	Health and safety engineers combine knowledge of engineering and of health and safety to develop procedures and design systems to protect people from illness and injury and property from damage.	Bachelor's degree	$100,660
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians	Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination.	Associate's degree	$48,380

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist or Technician

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Important Qualities

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

What Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians Do

Duties

Work Environment

Work Schedules

Getting Started

How to Become an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist or Technician

Education

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Training

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Job Outlook

Employment

Contacts for More Information

Similar Occupations