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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Chemical Hygiene Officer; EHS Officer (Environmental Health and Safety Officer); Health and Safety Analyst; Industrial Hygiene Consultant; Industrial Hygienist; Industrial Hygienist Consultant; OHS Consultant (Occupational Health and Safety Consultant); Risk Control Consultant; Safety Consultant; Safety Specialist

Tasks

• Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
• Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
• 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.
• Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
• Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
• Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
• Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
• Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.
• Write reports.
• Inspect specified areas to ensure the presence of fire prevention equipment, safety equipment, or first-aid supplies.
• Provide new-employee health and safety orientations and develop materials for these presentations.
• Analyze incident data to identify trends in injuries, illnesses, accidents, or other hazards.
• Maintain or update emergency response plans or procedures.

Knowledge

• English Language
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Education and Training
• Customer and Personal Service
• Engineering and Technology
• Biology
• Public Safety and Security
• Law and Government
• Administration and Management
• Building and Construction
• Computers and Electronics
• Mechanical
• Administrative
• Production and Processing
• Design
• Physics

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Mathematics
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Flexibility of Closure
• Information Ordering
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Category Flexibility
• Fluency of Ideas
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Perceptual Speed
• Selective Attention
• Far Vision
• Originality
• Number Facility
• Speed of Closure
• Visualization