Occupational Health And Safety Specialist

Occupational health and safety specialists promote health and safety within organizations, through the development of policies and approaches to processes not only improve efficiency but also promote health and safety. A key skill they develop is the prediction of hazards based on historical data. They then develop a plan for reducing or eradicating the risk, and track the plan’s implementation.

Occupational health and safety specialists need outstanding social skills, as they must deal with people of very different mentalities, such as engineers, facility managers and MDs. The candidate needs to have excellent written communication skills as well, as they normally need to produce written reports of their findings.

Education and Credentials Required
Qualified candidates for the role of occupational health and safety specialists have experience in less senior roles as well as education. Typically there is also some on the job training involved. Occupational health and safety specialists can become certified through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) or the Council on Certification of Health, Environmental, and Safety Technologists (OHST). Certification typically entails meeting educational requirements, passing exams, and following up with continuing education courses. Certification is voluntary, but may influence potential employers.

Future Prospects
Employment opportunities for occupational health and safety specialists are expected to rise as fast as average, and growth will be tempered by the public’s anti-regulatory sentiment.

Salary Range
The median salary, as of 2002, for occupational health and safety specialists was $46,010. Experience, location, skill, reputation, hours worked and other factors impact income.