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Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians, also known as safety and health professionals or occupational health and safety inspectors, help prevent harm to workers, property, the environment, and the general public.
Typical duties:
- designing safe work spaces
- inspecting machines
- testing air quality
In addition to making workers safer, specialists and technicians aim to increase worker productivity by reducing absenteeism and equipment downtime—and to save money by lowering insurance premiums and workers’ compensation payments, and preventing government fines. Some specialists and technicians work for governments, conducting safety inspections and imposing fines.
In general, people who want to enter this occupation should be responsible and like detailed work. Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians also should be able to communicate well. Recommended high school courses include English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics. Experience as an occupational health and safety professional is also a prerequisite for many positions.
How long will it take?
Amarillo College's Safety & Environmental Technology program takes 35 - 70 semester hours, depending on the program you choose.
Some employers require health and safety specialists to have a bachelor's degree. All specialists and technicians are trained in the applicable laws or inspection procedures through some combination of classroom and on-the-job training.
Many employers also encourage certification:
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
- Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
- Occupational Health and Safety Technologists (OHST)
- Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE)
- Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE)
- Certified Health Physicist (CHP)
How much will you earn?
Average employment growth is expected, with an average salary range of $49,000 - 68,000 per year.
Where can you work?
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 benefits more generous than those offered by smaller firms.
