Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Occupational health and safety specialists review, evaluate, and analyse 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. They conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals and may be employed in the public or private sector.
Occupational health and safety specialists' job is to examine every facet of the workplace for adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment. They assess present as well as potential future risks, that may affect employee health, safety, comfort, and performance.
They conduct safety audits at the workplace and report deviations. They also conduct safety training programs, teach the correct use of safety equipment and respond to emergencies. They investigate accidents and incidents to ascertain their causes and devise preventive strategies.
How to become an occupational health and safety specialist? Degrees are needed for this job. Additionally, courses in ergonomics, writing and communications, occupational safety management, and accident prevention can be useful. The skills required for health and safety jobs are the ability to use technology, communication skills, being detail-oriented, having physical stamina and problem-solving skills.
Health and safety jobs are found in offices, warehouses, schools, mines, factories, etc. Safety specialists are exposed to harmful conditions and should use personal protective equipment. An occupational health specialist's salary can be in five-six figures depending on one's experience.
Occupational health and safety specialists can reduce expenses on insurance premiums, worker’s compensation, and government penalties. They ensure a healthy environment where individuals can work safely, effectively and efficiently.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- M.Sc. Public Health Management
- M.D. Ayurveda
- B.Sc. Public Health
- B.U.M.S Unani Medicine and Surgery
- B.A.M.S. Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
Tasks
- Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
- Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
- Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
- Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
- Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
- Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
- Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
- Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
- Provide new-employee health and safety orientations and develop materials for these presentations.
- Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
Progression Routes
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