Health and safety specialist job description

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.

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Part 1
Duties / Tasks Part 2
Activities Part 3
Skills Part 4
Abilities Part 5
Knowledge

To become a health and safety specialist, you need a variety of qualifications. This includes career training, education, and job skills. Your duties are to observe and identify occupational hazards at a workplace or to investigate work accidents; you must have a strong eye for detail and excellent knowledge of health and safety protocols and regulations. You also inspect equipment to ensure it is in good working condition. You train and educate employees on compliance and other issues related to workplace safety.

Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.

Health and safety specialist job description

Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.

  • Advise communities or institutions regarding health or safety issues.
Health and safety specialist job description

Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.

  • Inspect work environments to ensure safety.
Health and safety specialist job description

Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.

  • Design public or employee health programs.
Health and safety specialist job description

Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.

Health and safety specialist job description

Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.

  • Inspect work environments to ensure safety.
Health and safety specialist job description

Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.

  • Conduct health or safety training programs.
Health and safety specialist job description

Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.

  • Test facilities for environmental hazards.
Health and safety specialist job description

Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.

  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
  • Consult with others regarding safe or healthy equipment or facilities.
Health and safety specialist job description

Provide new-employee health and safety orientations and develop materials for these presentations.

  • Prepare healthcare training materials.
  • Conduct health or safety training programs.
Health and safety specialist job description

Develop or maintain medical monitoring programs for employees.

  • Design public or employee health programs.
Health and safety specialist job description

Coordinate "right-to-know" programs regarding hazardous chemicals or other substances.

  • Conduct health or safety training programs.
Health and safety specialist job description

Maintain or update emergency response plans or procedures.

  • Develop emergency procedures.
Health and safety specialist job description

Inspect specified areas to ensure the presence of fire prevention equipment, safety equipment, or first-aid supplies.

  • Inspect work environments to ensure safety.
Health and safety specialist job description

Collect samples of hazardous materials or arrange for sample collection.

  • Test facilities for environmental hazards.
Health and safety specialist job description

Maintain inventories of hazardous materials or hazardous wastes, using waste tracking systems to ensure that materials are handled properly.

  • Monitor the handling of hazardous materials or medical wastes.
  • Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
Health and safety specialist job description

Conduct audits at hazardous waste sites or industrial sites or participate in hazardous waste site investigations.

  • Monitor the handling of hazardous materials or medical wastes.
  • Test facilities for environmental hazards.
Health and safety specialist job description

Perform laboratory analyses or physical inspections of samples to detect disease or to assess purity or cleanliness.

  • Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
Health and safety specialist job description

Prepare hazardous, radioactive, or mixed waste samples for transportation or storage by treating, compacting, packaging, and labeling them.

Work ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.Nature of the Work(Abstract from Career Articles)Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Occupational health and safety specialists work in a variety of settings, such as offices, factories, and mines. Their jobs often involve fieldwork and travel. Most specialists work full time.

What are specialist roles and responsibilities?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to.

What is the highest qualification in health and safety?

The NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (NGC) is the most trusted health and safety qualification in the world.

Is health and safety a good career in South Africa?

Health and Safety in South Africa offers diverse opportunities for success and a lifetime career path that builds on existing professional skillsets.

What are three career opportunities in the field of safety?

Popular jobs within the field include safety engineer, fire protection engineer, safety coordinator, environmental health and safety specialist and industrial hygienist.