Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists. Implement and conduct evaluation of programs designed to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Advisory Industrial Hygienist; Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH); Construction Safety Consultant; EHS Advisor (Environmental, Health, and Safety Advisor); Health and Safety Technician (Health and Safety Tech); Industrial Hygiene Consultant; Industrial Hygienist; Safety Specialist; Safety Technician (Safety Tech); Safety Trainer

Tasks

• Evaluate situations or make determinations when a worker has refused to work on the grounds that danger or potential harm exists.
• Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.
• Train workers in safety procedures related to green jobs, such as the use of fall protection devices or maintenance of proper ventilation during wind turbine construction.
• Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.
• Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.
• Provide consultation to organizations or agencies on the workplace application of safety principles, practices, or techniques.
• Inspect fire suppression systems or portable fire systems to ensure proper working order.
• Verify availability or monitor use of safety equipment, such as hearing protection or respirators.
• Recommend corrective measures to be applied based on results of environmental contaminant analyses.
• Prepare or review specifications or orders for the purchase of safety equipment, ensuring that proper features are present and that items conform to health and safety standards.
• Prepare or calibrate equipment used to collect or analyze samples.
• Conduct worker studies to determine whether specific instances of disease or illness are job-related.
• Plan emergency response drills.
• Examine credentials, licenses, or permits to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
• Review records or reports concerning laboratory results, staffing, floor plans, fire inspections, or sanitation to gather information for the development or enforcement of safety activities.

Knowledge

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

Skills

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

Abilities

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