Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: Career & Application Guide

What do occupational health and safety specialists do?

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.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Chemical Hygiene Officer
EHS Officer (Environmental Health and Safety Officer)
Health and Safety Analyst
Industrial Hygiene Consultant
Industrial Hygienist
Industrial Hygienist Consultant
OHS Consultant (Occupational Health and Safety Consultant)
Risk Control Consultant

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.

Prepare an application for this occupation

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

Ready to plan your search?

Start with occupational health and safety specialists as your target. You can change your role in the quiz and tell us your location and work preferences.

Start my job-search quiz