Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Career Description: 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.

Industry: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Other Job Titles for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health and safety.
• Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
• Investigate accidents to identify causes and to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
• Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, and other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
• Develop and maintain hygiene programs such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, and asbestos management plans.
• Inspect and evaluate workplace environments, equipment, and practices, in order to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
• Collaborate with engineers and physicians to institute control and remedial measures for hazardous and potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Conduct safety training and education programs, and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
• Provide new-employee health and safety orientations, and develop materials for these presentations.
• Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, and other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
• Investigate health-related complaints, and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.
• Coordinate "right-to-know" programs regarding hazardous chemicals and other substances.
• Maintain and update emergency response plans and procedures.
• Develop and maintain medical monitoring programs for employees.
• Inspect specified areas to ensure the presence of fire prevention equipment, safety equipment, and first-aid supplies.
• Conduct audits at hazardous waste sites or industrial sites, and participate in hazardous waste site investigations.
• Collect samples of hazardous materials, or arrange for sample collection.
• Maintain inventories of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes, using waste tracking systems to ensure that materials are handled properly.
• Prepare hazardous, radioactive, and mixed waste samples for transportation and storage by treating, compacting, packaging, and labeling them.
• Perform laboratory analyses and physical inspections of samples in order to detect disease or to assess purity or cleanliness.
• Wash and dress bodies of deceased persons.
• Make appointments, keep records and perform other clerical duties in doctors' offices and clinics.
• Set up equipment and prepare medical treatment rooms.
• Set up 24-hour Holter and event monitors, scan and interpret tapes, and report results to physicians.

Emerging Tasks

• Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.
• Conduct nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
• Provide clinical services and health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients and the general public.
• Record and review patient medical histories.
• Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids.
• Perform administrative tasks such as photocopying, filing, and managing office finances (e.g., monitoring budget, handling accounting payable and receivable).
• Plan and conduct treatment programs for clients' hearing, speech, or vertigo problems, consulting with physicians, nurses, psychologists, and other health care personnel as necessary.
• Provide information to the public, and advise educators and other medical staff on speech or hearing topics.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• analyze effectiveness of safety systems or procedures
• analyze medical data
• calibrate or adjust electronic equipment or instruments to specification
• collect clinical data
• collect samples for testing
• communicate technical information
• compile numerical or statistical data
• conduct evaluations of worker exposure to radiation or noise
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• develop safety regulations
• evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
• follow safe waste disposal procedures
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• interpret employee's medical evaluations
• maintain dental or medical records
• make presentations on health or medical issues
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• prepare safety reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• recommend measures to ensure maximum employee protection
• set up or calibrate laboratory equipment
• test air quality, noise, temperature, or radiation
• understand engineering data or reports
• use chemical testing or analysis procedures
• use cost benefit analysis techniques
• use hazardous materials information
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of materials testing procedures
• use pollution control techniques
• use scientific research methodology
• observe patient condition
• obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
• order medical laboratory tests
• perform minor surgery
• prepare patient reports
• prepare reports for management
• prepare required government reports
• prescribe or recommend drugs, medical devices or other forms of treatment
• recognize childhood diseases
• recognize physical or emotional abuse
• record medical history or data
• refer patients to community resources
• take vital signs
• treat medical condition of patient
• understand properties or composition of drugs
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use clinical problem solving techniques
• use counseling techniques
• use emergency medical procedures
• use emergency medical treatment procedures
• use grief counseling techniques
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of medical terminology
• use medical diagnostic techniques
• use medical equipment in direct patient care
• use research methodology procedures in health care
• use sanitation practices in health care settings
• write technical health or medical documents
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use medical lab techniques
• use microscope
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use quality assurance techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures in health care
• use sanitation practices in health care settings
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• verify completeness or accuracy of data

Overall Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education
Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$28.91
• Average annual wage (2007) - $60,140.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 8.13%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 3,676
• Employment (2006): 45,206

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