Job Description

Occupational health and safety specialists, also known

as safety and health practitioners or occupational health and safety inspectors,
help prevent harm to workers, property, the environment, and the general public.
They promote occupational health and safety within organizations in many ways,
such as by advising management on how to increase worker productivity through
raising morale and reducing absenteeism, turnover, and equipment downtime
while securing savings on insurance premiums, workers compensation benefits,
and litigation expenses.
Occupational health and safety specialists analyze work environments and design
programs to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical,
physical, radiological, and biological agents or ergonomic factors that involve the
impact of equipment design on a workers comfort or fatigue. They may conduct
inspections and inform the management of a business which areas may not be in
compliance with State and Federal laws or employer policies, in order to gain
their support for addressing these areas. They advise management on the cost
and effectiveness of safety and health programs.
The specific responsibilities of occupational health and safety specialists vary by
industry, workplace, and types of hazards affecting employees. In most settings,
they initially focus on identifying hazardous conditions and practices. Sometimes
they develop methods to predict hazards from experience, historical data,
workplace analysis, and other information sources. Then they identify potential
hazards in systems, equipment, products, facilities, or processes planned for use
in the future. For example, they might uncover patterns in injury data that
implicate a specific cause such as system failure, human error, incomplete or
faulty decision making, or a weakness in existing policies or practices. After
reviewing the causes or effects of hazards, they evaluate the probability and
severity of accidents or exposures to hazardous materials that may result. Then
they identify where controls need to be implemented to reduce or eliminate
hazards and advise if a new program or practice is required. As necessary, they
conduct training sessions for management, supervisors, and workers on health
and safety practices and regulations to promote an understanding of a new or
existing process. After implementation, they may monitor and evaluate the
programs progress, making additional suggestions when needed.
To ensure the machinery and equipment meet appropriate safety regulations,
occupational health and safety specialists may examine and test machinery and
equipment, such as lifting devices, machine guards, or scaffolding. They may
check that personal protective equipment, such as masks, respirators, protective
eyewear, or hard hats, is being used in workplaces according to regulations. They
also check that hazardous materials are stored correctly. They test and identify
work areas for potential accident and health hazards, such as toxic vapors, mold,
mildew, and explosive gas-air mixtures, and help implement appropriate control
measures, such as adjustments to ventilation systems. Their survey of the
workplace might involve talking with workers and observing their work, as well as
inspecting elements in their work environment, such as lighting, tools, and
equipment.

To measure and control hazardous substances, such as the noise or radiation

levels, occupational health and safety specialists prepare and calibrate scientific
equipment. They must properly collect and handle samples of dust, gases,
vapors, and other potentially toxic materials to ensure personal safety and
accurate test results.
If an injury or illness occurs, occupational health and safety specialists help
investigate unsafe working conditions, study possible causes, and recommend
remedial action. Some occupational health and safety specialists and technicians
assist with the rehabilitation of workers after accidents and injuries, and make
sure they return to work successfully.
Frequent communication with management may be necessary to report on the
status of occupational health and safety programs. Consultation with engineers
or physicians also may be required.
Occupational health and safety specialists prepare reports including accident
reports, Occupational Safety and Health Administration record-keeping forms,
observations, analysis of contaminants, and recommendations for control and
correction of hazards. They may prepare documents to be used in legal
proceedings and give testimony in court proceedings. Those who develop
expertise in certain areas may develop occupational health and safety systems,
including policies, procedures, and manuals.

Specialists that concentrate in particular areas include environmental protection

officers, ergonomists, health physicists, industrial hygienists, and mine
examiners. Environmental protection officers evaluate and coordinate programs
that impact the environment, such as the storage and handling of hazardous
waste or monitoring the cleanup of contaminated soil or water. Ergonomists help
ensure that the work environment allows employees to maximize their comfort,
safety, and productivity. Health physicists help protect people and the
environment from hazardous radiation exposure by monitoring the manufacture,
handling, and disposal of radioactive material. Industrial hygienists examine the
workplace for health hazards, such as worker exposure to lead, asbestos,
pesticides, or communicable diseases. Mine examiners are technicians who
inspect mines for proper air flow and health hazards such as the buildup of
methane or other noxious gases.

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work with

many different people in a variety of environments. Their jobs often involve
considerable fieldwork, and some travel frequently. Many occupational health and
safety specialists and technicians work long and often irregular hours.

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians may be exposed to

many of the same physically strenuous conditions and hazards as industrial
employees, and the work may be performed in unpleasant, stressful, and
dangerous working conditions. They may find themselves in an adversarial role if
the management of an organization disagrees with the recommendations for
ensuring a safe working environment.

Salary Range
Median annual earnings of occupational health and
safety specialists were $62,300 in 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between
$47,500 and $77,900. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,900, and the
highest 10 percent earned more than $93,600.

Most occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work in large
private firms or for Federal, State, and local governments, most of which
generally offer more generous benefits than smaller firms.
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