Occupational Safety and Health Workers: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview People who are earning for a living are prone to accidents and injuries in the workplace. Some people also lose their lives while working. Thousand of years ago, people will just blame it on fate. In modern days, social reform movements, progressive politicians and labor unions pressured business and companies to prioritize safety and health of the employees in the working area. Safety measures are being carried out by different companies, and funds allocated for research and development for protection of workers are being formalized. Safety engineers, occupational safety and health inspectors, fire protection engineers, fire prevention research engineers, fire marshals, environmental safety and health workers and loss-control and occupational health consultants are all considered to be occupational safety and health workers.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
Taking courses in Science and Math like Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Calculus, Algebra and Trigonometry are a stepping stone in obtaining a Bachelor’s degree which is what is needed to become an occupational safety and health worker. Psychology class is helpful to enhance skills in interacting and knowing people. To enhance communication skill which is needed in explaining information to other people, presenting and writing reports, English and Speech classes are useful. Bachelor’s degree in Biological or Physical Science and Engineering are needed to practice this profession. It is recommended to attend training and seminars to be updated with the changing technologies and trends. An occupational safety and health worker like a professional engineer, is required to have license, which varies from state to state.
Skills and Abilities
The job of an occupational safety and health worker has a physical demand that is the reason applicant should be in good physical condition. It is important to know how to motivate other people and explain to them clearly the safety programs and procedures. They need to know how to interact with different types of people, from the supervisors to the union representatives.
Duties
Identifying and evaluating the hazardous practices and conditions in the workplace is one duty of an occupational safety and health worker.
It is part of their job to investigate on accidents, check facilities and equipment, study work procedures, consult workers and analyze building layouts. It is their responsibility to inform and explain to the workers the safety measures and procedures of the company. They also study how accidents and injuries can be prevented in the workplace.
Earnings and Job Outlook
Experience and field of specialization are factors that affects salary of occupational safety and health workers. Those who work for private sectors earn more than those who work in the government. The public is now aware about safety programs that are carried out by companies. Because of this, there will be a high demand for occupational health and safety specialists in the future since companies would need to assure the workers of their safety while working for them.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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Word Count: 517 Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 Time: 6:22 AM
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