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 ListeningCritical ThinkingSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationSocial Perceptiveness
Knowledge areas
English LanguageChemistryEducation and TrainingMathematicsCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareCompliance softwareWeb platform development softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
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.Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.Write reports.Inspect specified areas to ensure the presence of fire prevention equipment, safety equipment, or first-aid supplies.Provide new-employee health and safety orientations and develop materials for these presentations.Analyze incident data to identify trends in injuries, illnesses, accidents, or other hazards.Maintain or update emergency response plans or procedures.Coordinate "right-to-know" programs regarding hazardous chemicals or other substances.Conduct audits at hazardous waste sites or industrial sites or participate in hazardous waste site investigations.Develop or maintain medical monitoring programs for employees.Collect samples of hazardous materials or arrange for sample collection.Maintain inventories of hazardous materials or hazardous wastes, using waste tracking systems to ensure that materials are handled properly.Prepare hazardous, radioactive, or mixed waste samples for transportation or storage by treating, compacting, packaging, and labeling them.Perform laboratory analyses or physical inspections of samples to detect disease or to assess purity or cleanliness.
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
307 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Safety Inspector (Navy B22A)In-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman, KC-10 (Air Force 1A071F)Weapons Repair Officer (Marine Corps 2120)Public Health Apprentice (Air Force 4E031)Mobility Force Aviator, KC-135 Boom Operator (Air Force 1A1X2H)Occupational Safety and Health InspectorVeterinary Corps Officer (Army 64)Safety AdvisorConsumer Safety InspectorBioenvironmental Engineer, Health Physics (Air Force 43E4G)Safety Helper (Air Force 1S011)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031C)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011B)Occupational Medicine Physician (Air Force 44UX)Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Specialist (Marine Corps 5711)Aerospace Physiology (Air Force 1H0X1)Mortician InvestigatorExplosive Ordnance Disposal Helper (Air Force 3E811)Bioenvironmental Engineer, Medical Physics (Air Force 43E3M)Radiological Health SpecialistIn-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-10 (Air Force 1A031F)Bioenvironmental Engineer, Environmental Engineering and Science (Air Force 43E4D)Fire Protection Journeyman (Air Force 3E751)Safety Engineer (Navy 2740)Analysis Safety InspectorOHS Consultant (Occupational Health and Safety Consultant)Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force 4Y051)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N071H)Industrial HygienistHealth Services Management Helper (Air Force 4A011)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051B)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011C)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N031G)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N071G)Health Services Management Journeyman (Air Force 4A051)Site Safety and Health OfficerSanitation SpecialistWeapons Safety Manager - Wing Level (Air Force 8W000)Sanitation InspectorCompetent Person For Fall Protection (Navy 865A)