Occupation · SOC 19-5011
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
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.
Median wage
$83,910
$50,610–$130,460
Projected growth
+12.5%
Faster than average
Annual openings
1,650
per year
Employed (US)
128,430
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
303 mapped
Core skills
WritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringActive LearningInstructingQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionTime ManagementService OrientationOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisMathematicsLearning StrategiesCoordinationNegotiationScienceManagement of Personnel ResourcesTroubleshootingOperation and ControlManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignProgrammingRepairingEquipment MaintenanceInstallation
Knowledge areas
English LanguageChemistryEducation and TrainingMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceEngineering and TechnologyBiologyLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativeProduction and ProcessingPhysicsDesignPsychologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesCommunications and MediaMedicine and DentistryEconomics and AccountingTransportationTherapy and CounselingTelecommunicationsGeographySociology and AnthropologySales and MarketingForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Curtis Management Resources Training Management SystemDatabase softwareESS Compliance SuiteEcoLogic ADAM Indoor Air Quality and Analytical Data ManagementImageWave MSDSFinderMannus Compliance: EHSMedgate Enterprise EHSMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordPrimatech AUDITWorksQuality Systems Incorporated Safety Tagging SystemRAE Systems HazRAESAP softwareSafety Software OSHALOG 300Web browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Getting InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDocumenting/Recording InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsTraining and Teaching OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesWorking with ComputersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProcessing InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesSelling or Influencing OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleAssisting and Caring for OthersThinking CreativelyGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentControlling Machines and Processes
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Routine workplace inspections — conduct under a senior specialist's review in a manufacturing or construction setting.OSHA general-industry and construction standards (1910 / 1926) — look up the applicable section when prompted.Industrial-hygiene sampling (noise, air, ergonomics) — collect samples per a sampling plan with calibrated instruments.Personal protective equipment selection and fit — verify per the program in entry-level field work.Incident-report intake and witness interviews — conduct under supervision with clear documentation.Safety committee meetings — staff and minute under a senior leader.Hazard-recognition rounds with operations supervisors — join and document findings.Training-roster and certificate tracking — maintain accurately in the company's LMS.Routine training delivery (LOTO, PPE, hazcom) — deliver to defined-content scripts.Daily safety logs and inspection summaries — maintain to office standards.
developing
Job-safety analyses (JSAs) and hazard-control plans — author independently for routine tasks.Industrial-hygiene programs (hearing conservation, respiratory, hazcom) — manage end-to-end for a defined site.Incident investigations and root-cause analysis (5-why, fishbone) — lead on minor and recordable events.OSHA recordkeeping (300, 300A, 301) — maintain accurately for the company.Inspections and audits (internal, customer, agency) — lead with prepared evidence and CAPAs.Junior specialists and contractor safety — train on standards and site expectations.Permit-to-work systems (hot work, confined space, energized work) — administer in operating contexts.Ergonomic assessments — conduct and recommend at the workstation and process level.Workers'-compensation claims and return-to-work — coordinate with HR and providers.Safety-management system elements (ISO 45001, ANSI Z10) — implement against an internal roadmap.
proficient
Site- or facility-level safety leadership — set direction across operations, contractor, and customer engagements.Multi-site programs (process safety, fall protection, machine safeguarding) — lead with measurable outcomes.Regulatory inspections and OSHA citations — manage with documented responses and abatement.Senior specialists and safety officers — supervise across a small team.Risk assessments (PHA, FMEA) and quantitative-exposure modeling — lead in operating facilities.Capital projects and management-of-change reviews — lead with engineering partners.Customer and corporate audits — lead with documented evidence and clear closeout.Industry forums (ASSP, AIHA, NSC) — contribute through committee and case-study work.External vendor and contractor qualification programs — own end-to-end.Workforce culture surveys and intervention design — lead with measurable improvement.
advanced
Corporate or division-level EHS strategy — set across people, programs, and capital priorities.Major incidents and crisis response — lead at executive level with regulators and the public.EHS leadership pipeline and talent development — own succession and recruiting across the function.Industry standards bodies (ANSI, AIHA, ASSP) — contribute through formal leadership.Regulatory advocacy and rulemaking — contribute substantively at state or federal level.Capital and operating EHS budgets — own with executive sponsorship.Cross-functional risk programs (ESG, sustainability) — integrate with EHS strategy.Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures — lead EHS due-diligence and integration.Talent partnerships with universities and certifying bodies (BCSP) — institutionalize.Legacy mentorship and field-shaping standards — advance through training, certification, and publishing.
Also known as
72 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Analysis Safety InspectorCause AnalystCertified Indoor EnvironmentalistCertified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)Chemical Hygiene OfficerConstruction Safety ManagerConsumer Safety InspectorDining Service InspectorEHS Officer (Environmental Health and Safety Officer)EHS Specialist (Environmental Health and Safety Specialist)Environmental Health InspectorEnvironmental Health SanitarianEnvironmental Health TechnologistEnvironmental Protection InspectorEnvironmental Protection OfficerField Health OfficerFood and Drug InspectorFood InspectorHazardous Waste Management SpecialistHealth and Safety AnalystHealth and Safety InspectorHealth Care Facilities InspectorHealth InspectorHealth SanitarianHealth SpecialistIndustrial Hygiene ConsultantIndustrial HygienistIndustrial Hygienist ConsultantIndustrial Safety and Health SpecialistIndustrial Waste InspectorMine Safety and Health InspectorMortician InvestigatorOccupational Safety and Health InspectorOHS Consultant (Occupational Health and Safety Consultant)OHS Specialist (Occupational Health and Safety Specialist)OSHA Inspector (Occupational Safety and Health Administration Inspector)Public Health InspectorPublic Health Service OfficerQuarantine InspectorRabies Inspector