Occupational Health/Safety Spec

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Work Tasks

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH/SAFETY SPECIALISTS help keep workplaces and workers safe. They conduct health programs in industrial plants or government organizations to recognize, eliminate, and control occupational health hazards. They promote occupational health and safety within organizations by developing safer, healthier, and more efficient ways of working. They visit places of employment and analyze work environments and design programs to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $69,500 average per year ($33.50 per hour)
• A medium occupation (81,700 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.8% per year)

Entry Requirements

Most employers, including the federal government, require OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH/SAFETY SPECIALISTS to have a four-year degree in industrial hygiene, safety engineering, or a related field. A master's degree will increase chances of employment. Recommended high school courses include biology, chemistry, and physics. All occupational and safety specialists are trained in the applicable laws or inspection procedures through some combination of classroom and on-the-job training. No special licensing or certification is required. However, certification is offered by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.