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How do I Become an Occupational Health and Safety Officer?

Vicki Hogue-Davies
Vicki Hogue-Davies

Occupational health and safety officers plan, implement and monitor workplace health and safety programs for a variety of industries and organizations. They also are called health and safety specialists, health and safety inspectors and other titles. To become an occupational health and safety officer typically requires a four-year degree in occupational health, occupational safety, safety engineering or a related area. Some employers might require only an associate's degree, and others might prefer that you have a master's degree. Some employers might allow you to substitute years worked in the field for education.

You also will need to be familiar with the applicable governmental regulations and laws concerning workplace safety if you want to become an occupational health and safety officer. If you live in the United States, knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards would be required, for example. Contact the governmental agency where you live for information about safety regulations and standards.

Occupational health and safety officers plan, implement and monitor workplace health and safety programs for a variety of industries and organizations.
Occupational health and safety officers plan, implement and monitor workplace health and safety programs for a variety of industries and organizations.

Employers might require their health and safety employees to have certifications from various organizations representing different health and safety fields. The credentialing or certifications offered by such organizations include those of a certified safety professional or certified health physicist and various certifications in environmental fields, microbial fields, infection control and more. Certifying organizations usually require candidates to have specific levels of education and experience. To help meet required experience levels, it can be important to look for college programs that provide internship opportunities.

Employers might require their health and safety employees to have certifications from various organizations representing different fields.
Employers might require their health and safety employees to have certifications from various organizations representing different fields.

There are several general characteristics that will help you to become an occupational health and safety officer. Having good analytical abilities to review statistical data and make decisions about health and safety issues is important. It is helpful to have strong communication skills to prepare reports and verbally communicate information. Being extremely ethical and responsible also is important in this job. Having a detail orientation so that nothing is missed, while also being able to understand the big issues, also is important.

OSHA officers might inspect a work site following an injury to ensure accidents don't recur.
OSHA officers might inspect a work site following an injury to ensure accidents don't recur.

You can begin working to become an occupational health and safety officer while you are still in high school. Taking classes in the sciences, such as biology, physics and chemistry will help you get accepted into college health and safety programs. Taking advanced or college-level math courses also will be beneficial. Getting strong grades in language arts programs also is important for this role. Learning another language also can be helpful, especially if it is a second language commonly spoken in your geographic area.

Discussion Comments

trekker

Last month, a few colleagues and I finished an occupational health and safety course as part of the continuing education with the company we work for. We were all able to come back with a better understanding of how occupational health and safety affect our company as a whole.

We are up to date on OSHA standards for our industry, much to the delight of our management team. It was a four day course and covered so much important information. We did a slideshow presentation on some of what was covered. Our company will be sending another group to the next class.

I think if someone is considering a career as an occupational health and safety officer, this kind of course would be the perfect way to determine if the field is right for you. Maybe you can even get your employer to send you.

Andras

I have always really liked math and science classes in school. Finding a job where I could use those interests along with my analytical nature was very important to me. I am currently finishing my third year of my Occupational Health degree. I have loved the classes and really feel like I am headed in the right direction.

Occupational Health and Safety degrees are great for someone who enjoys working with areas of math and science as well as liking to communicate with a variety of people. I am excited about finishing my degree and moving into a career in this field.

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    • Occupational health and safety officers plan, implement and monitor workplace health and safety programs for a variety of industries and organizations.
      By: sakkmesterke
      Occupational health and safety officers plan, implement and monitor workplace health and safety programs for a variety of industries and organizations.
    • Employers might require their health and safety employees to have certifications from various organizations representing different fields.
      By: Marzky Ragsac Jr.
      Employers might require their health and safety employees to have certifications from various organizations representing different fields.
    • OSHA officers might inspect a work site following an injury to ensure accidents don't recur.
      By: Photographee.eu
      OSHA officers might inspect a work site following an injury to ensure accidents don't recur.
    • An occupational health and safety officer may give expert advice on how to identify dangerous working conditions.
      By: Minerva Studio
      An occupational health and safety officer may give expert advice on how to identify dangerous working conditions.
    • An occupational health and safety officer may be tasked with testing equipment to ensure it operates properly and without creating unnecessary hazards.
      By: Kadmy
      An occupational health and safety officer may be tasked with testing equipment to ensure it operates properly and without creating unnecessary hazards.
    • Occupational health and safety officers often work with high-risk industries including metalworking, machining and manufacturing.
      By: chirnoagarazvan
      Occupational health and safety officers often work with high-risk industries including metalworking, machining and manufacturing.