All careers

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

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.

What you’d do

  • 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.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking

How to get there

Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

Also called

  • Industrial Hygiene Consultant
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Safety Consultant
  • Safety Specialist
  • Chemical Hygiene Officer
  • EHS Officer (Environmental Health and Safety Officer)

Related careers

See all careers

  • Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health…

    Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

  • Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Environmental Compliance Inspectors

    Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local…

    Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

  • Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health…

    Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

  • Construction and Building Inspectors

    Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that…

    Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree