How to Become an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Being an occupational health and safety specialist can be a rewarding career that has a life-changing impact on countless people. If you’re interested in this profession, keep reading to learn more about the roles and responsibilities, skills, educational requirements, job outlook, and more.

What Does an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Do?

An occupational health and safety specialist analyzes, reviews, and evaluates work environments and designs programs and procedures that help control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury.

Below are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of an occupational health specialist:

• Identifying and mitigating health hazards

• Conducting safety inspections

• Advising on and enforcing safety measures

• Investigating incidents

• Creating and delivering safety training to ensure a safe and healthy work environment

• Demonstrating the use of safety equipment and ensuring proper use by workers

• Maintaining compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and OSHA standards

These professionals assess risks that span multiple categories, including:

• Safety hazards:

Falls, slips, trips, being struck by objects, and working in confined spaces

• Chemical hazards:

Exposure to toxic or hazardous materials, such as those that can be found in solvents, paints, and adhesives

• Physical hazards:

Noise, radiation, extreme temperatures, and electrical hazards

• Ergonomic hazards:

Repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and awkward postures

• Biological hazards:

Infectious diseases, either bloodborne or spread through contact with contaminated materials

• Work organization hazards:

Stress, violence, and the organization of work tasks

They often work in teams with engineers, technicians, and safety consultants, utilizing incident reporting software and audit tools to enhance safety performance and improve occupational safety management systems. A significant part of occupational health and safety jobs involves educating management and workers on safe practices, making strong communication skills crucial.

Educational Requirements

While some careers in OHS may only require a high school diploma, getting a degree could open more doors to higher-paying and leadership roles.

At baseline, a bachelor’s degree in occupational health, safety engineering, environmental health, or public health sets the foundation for a career in occupational health and safety. Here’s a look at some of the most common undergraduate degree paths for an OHS career:

• Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health:

Provides a comprehensive education on the practices and principles of workplace health and safety.

• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health:

A science-based degree that prepares students to understand how the environment impacts human health.

• Bachelor of Science in Safety Engineering:

A multidisciplinary degree program that focuses on the occupational and environmental hazards and promotion of workplace safety standards in various industries.

However, if you want to get specialized training and knowledge in this field, you can pursue a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Occupational or Environmental Health. This graduate program explores public health fundamentals with an additional focus on the impact of environmental and occupational hazards on human health.

Throughout these programs, you can expect to take courses that cover topics like:

• Toxicology

• Industrial hygiene

• Safety law

• Ergonomics

• Health management

• Safety management

• Ergonomics

• Law

As you research programs, you also want to make sure that they’re accredited by ABET. The ABET accreditation informs prospective students that a program meets the industry competency standards, preparing them to enter the workforce.

Certifications and Licensing

Although OHS specialists are not legally required to hold professional safety certifications, they are highly valued and sometimes expected by certain employers.

Below is a list of the most common OHS certifications:

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

Certified Safety Professional (CSP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP): Advanced certification for experienced OHS professionals who’ve demonstrated knowledge in risk assessment, occupational safety management, and workplace hazard control.

• Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST)

Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST) by the BCSP: For professionals who perform occupational health and safety activities on a part- or full-time basis, including hazard identification and safety program implementation.

• Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST):

Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) : Another BCSP certification for professionals who demonstrate knowledge in construction safety.

• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM):

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) : Offered by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM), this certification demonstrates an OHS professional’s proficiency in waste and hazardous materials management by environmental laws and best practices.

• OSHA-authorized outreach trainer (for teaching OSHA 10- and 30-hour courses):

OSHA-authorized outreach trainer (for teaching OSHA 10- and 30-hour courses): This designation allows OHS professionals to teach OSHA 10- and 30-hour safety courses after completing a specialized OSHA Training Institute Education Center course, allowing them to educate workers and employers on recognizing and preventing workplace hazards.

To maintain these safety credentials, most certifying bodies require ongoing continuing education (CE) credits, periodic renewal applications, and adherence to a professional code of ethics. The National Safety Council (NSC) and other associations offer preparatory resources and continuing education options to maintain credentialing.

As mentioned, while OHS certifications are typically voluntary, many employers either prefer or require them, especially for advanced or leadership positions. Also, some states or industries may have additional licensing or training requirements, depending on the work environment.

Skills and Personal Attributes for Success

Occupational health and safety specialist careers often require a blend of technical expertise and people skills to be successful. These safety professionals must not only identify risks but also lead safety initiatives and influence workplace behavior.

If you want to become an OHS specialist, you’ll want to develop the following:

• Technical skills:

Hazard analysis, regulatory research, ergonomics, and human factors, familiarity with safety equipment, and proficiency with incident reporting and management software (e.g., Zendesk, Jira Service Management, PagerDuty, etc.).

• Soft skills:

Communication, leadership, problem-solving, attention to detail, and adaptability, especially when working with cross-functional teams or in high-pressure situations.

When it comes to this profession, many safety officers and specialists have a multidisciplinary aptitude, meaning they have a solid understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, policy, and legal compliance. Also, in today’s dynamic work environments, the ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and promote a culture of safety within an organization is just as important as identifying hazards on paper.

Occupational Health and Safety Career Pathways

There are several care pathways you can pursue in the occupational health and safety field. Here’s a breakdown of some of the job opportunities available, starting from entry-level roles to senior-level ones:

Entry-level positions

• Safety coordinator

• Field safety officer

• Health and safety assistant

Mid-level positions

• Compliance officer

• Safety trainer

• Industrial hygienist

Senior-level positions

• EHS manager

• Corporate safety director

• Safety manager

Occupational health and safety careers also offer several specializations you can explore, depending on your interests and industry.

Some common focus areas include:

• Industrial hygiene

• Emergency management

• General industry safety

• Environmental health and sustainability

• Occupational ergonomics

• Construction industry safety

• Occupational toxicology

• Radiation protection

• Fire safety and prevention

OHS professionals may also work in data analytics, policy development, or training and education.

To progress in your career, pursue advanced degrees (such as an MPH) or earn licenses or specialized certifications (e.g., Certified Safety Professional). You’ll also want to get hands-on work experience, participate in professional associations like the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and stay up-to-date on the latest updates on industry standards and regulations. The more you develop your skills and network, the more you increase your chances of landing higher-paying leadership positions in occupational health and safety.

Salary and Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for occupational health and safety specialists in May 2023 was $85,570.⁴ The field is projected to grow by 14% from 2023 to 2033, exceeding the national average across all occupations.² The increase in demand for OHS professionals is likely a reflection of the increased attention to workplace safety regulations, employee health, and emergency preparedness, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.⁵

The top earners, such as those working in pipeline transportation of crude oil, oil and gas extraction, and scientific research and development, can earn over six figures per year.⁶ These roles often require advanced certifications or experience, but may also offer financial incentives and job security.

BLS also reports that industries with the most employment opportunities in the occupational health and safety field include consulting, government, hospitals, and company and enterprise management. States with the highest published employment for these professionals include Texas, California, Florida, Ohio, and New York.⁷

Your salary in this growing field will depend on your industry, geographical location, certification level, and years of experience. Regardless of which path you take, the field can offer well-paying, stable careers with growth opportunities.

How to Get Started: Step-by-Step Road Map

If you’ve decided that a career as an occupational health and safety specialist is the right path for you, having a clear road map can help you stay organized and motivated as you work toward your goals. Mapping out each step in advance ensures you’re building the right skills and credentials to succeed.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming an occupational health and safety specialist:

1. Complete a relevant degree in occupational safety, public health, environmental science, or a related field.

2. Gain field experience through internships or co-op programs, or entry-level roles to apply what you’ve learned and build your resume.

3. Study for and obtain certifications like the CSP, OHST, or CHST to boost your credibility and competitiveness.

4. Build a professional network by joining industry organizations, such as the ASSP or the AIHA.

5. Explore graduate education, such as MPH with a concentration or focus in occupational health or environmental health.

Having a plan in place makes a significant difference in achieving your career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about the occupational health and safety profession.

Do you need a degree to be an occupational health specialist?

Yes, most employers do require OHS specialists to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

How long does it take to become one?

It typically takes between four and six years to become an occupational health and safety specialist, encompassing both education and experience.

Is certification required by law?

No, but many employers strongly prefer or require it.

What’s the difference between a safety engineer and a health and safety specialist?

Safety engineers typically focus on systems design, while specialists concentrate on compliance, training, and hazard identification.

Conclusion

Occupational health and safety is a rewarding field with significant job growth, competitive salaries, and a meaningful impact. If this career path speaks to your passion for public health and safety, take the next steps by exploring degree programs and attending open houses to start working toward building a future that makes a real impact.