How to become an Occupational Health and Safety Officer
Occupational health and safety officers coordinate health and safety systems in an organisation. They identify hazards, assess risks to health and safety, put appropriate safety controls in place and provide advice about accident prevention and occupational health to management and employees. With experience and sometimes further training, occupational health and safety officers may become auditors, who inspect a workplace's level of compliance with health and safety standards.
Personal requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety Officer
- Tactful and diplomatic
- Able to work independently or as part of a team
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Discretion and respect for confidentiality and privacy
- Integrity and honesty
Education & Training for an Occupational Health and Safety Officer
To become an occupational health and safety officer you usually have to complete a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have a degree in occupational health and safety or health science. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Additional information
Qualifications in first aid are helpful and may be essential in some cases.
Duties & Tasks of an Occupational Health and Safety Officer
Occupational health and safety officers:
- Promote occupational health and safety within an organisation and develop safer and healthier ways of working
- Inspect workplaces and workplace equipment, such as scaffolding, to ensure they meet safety regulations and to identify hazards and risks
- Ensure that workplaces conform with organisational procedures and safety standards
- Work with engineers and other professionals to ensure the safety of worksites and work practices
- Ensure personal protective equipment (such as hearing protection, dust masks, safety glasses, footwear and safety helmets), is being used in workplaces according to regulations
- Ensure dangerous materials are correctly stored
- Identify and test work areas for potential accident and health hazards, such as toxic fumes and explosive gas-air mixtures, and implement appropriate control measures
- Ensure an organisation is aware of, and complies with, all legislation relating to its duty of care, workplace activities and the use of its plant, equipment and substances
- Record and report hazards, accidents, injuries and health issues within the workplace
- Assist with the investigation of accidents and unsafe working conditions, study possible causes and recommend remedial action
- Conduct training sessions for management, supervisors and workers on health and safety practices and legislation
- Assist with the rehabilitation of workers after accidents or injuries and make sure they experience a satisfactory return to work
- Coordinate emergency procedures, mine rescues, firefighting and first aid crews
- Communicate frequently with management to report on the status of occupational health and safety programs
- Develop occupational health and safety systems, including policies, procedures and manuals.
Tasks
- Inspects and audits workplaces, processes, plant, and chemical and physical hazards for legislative compliance.
- Co-ordinates the return of injured workers into the workplace.
- Trains employees in personal protective equipment and safe working procedures.
- Promotes ergonomic principles within the workplace such as matching furniture, equipment and work activities to the needs of employees.
- Develops, implements and monitors programmes minimising workplace and environmental pollution involving chemical and physical hazards.
- Records and investigates injuries and equipment damage, and reports safety performance.
- Controls hazards and risks in the workplace.
Employment Opportunities for an Occupational Health and Safety Officer
Traditionally, occupational health and safety officers have been employed in the manufacturing, construction, health and minerals industries. Positions are now becoming available in management consultancies and large commercial institutions, such as banks, hospitals, insurance companies, government organisations and service-based organisations.In large workplaces, personnel departments may employ a number of occupational health and safety officers. In small organisations, the personnel officer often combines the duties of occupational health and safety officer with other duties.
Specializations
par - With experience and sometimes further training, occupational health and safety officers may become auditors, who inspect a workplace's level of compliance with health and safety standards.
Occupational/Industrial Hygienist
An occupational/industrial hygienist identifies and investigates problems of occupational/industrial hygiene (chemical and biological hazards) in the workplace and alerts managers and professionals to possible health risks. They use scientific equipment to measure and control hazardous substances.
Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Safety Officer
A hazardous materials/dangerous goods safety officer supervises and reviews the transport, handling, storage and use of hazardous materials and dangerous goods.
Occupational Health and Safety Trainer
An occupational health and safety trainer develops, designs and conducts health and safety training. As part of this training they assess individual and organisational procedures. They may conduct both face-to-face and online training.
Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Safety Officer
A hazardous materials/dangerous goods safety officer supervises and reviews the transport, handling, storage and use of hazardous materials and dangerous goods.
Occupational Health and Safety Officer
Occupational health and safety officers coordinate health and safety systems in an organisation. They identify hazards, assess risks to health and safety, put appropriate safety controls in place and provide advice about accident prevention and occupational health to management and employees. With experience and sometimes further training, occupational health and safety officers may become auditors, who inspect a workplace's level of compliance with health and safety standards.
Occupational Health and Safety Trainer
An occupational health and safety trainer develops, designs and conducts health and safety training. As part of this training they assess individual and organisational procedures. They may conduct both face-to-face and online training.
Occupational/Industrial Hygienist
An occupational/industrial hygienist identifies and investigates problems of occupational/industrial hygiene (chemical and biological hazards) in the workplace and alerts managers and professionals to possible health risks. They use scientific equipment to measure and control hazardous substances.
Average age
45
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
45% female
Average full-time
45 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
High skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
83%
Employment Size
20,600
Employment by state
ACT: 2.0%
NSW: 24.2%
NT: 1.7%
QLD: 23.9%
SA: 7.1%
TAS: 2.0%
VIC: 21.4%
WA: 17.7%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.2%
20-24: 2.5%
25-34: 21.9%
35-44: 26.4%
45-54: 27.6%
55-59: 11.4%
60-64: 6.9%
65 and Over: 3%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 29.1%
Bachelor degree: 22.9%
Certificate III/IV: 17.1%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 19%
Year 10 and below: 3.4%
Year 11: 1.7%
Year 12: 6.7%
