Occupation · SOC 19-5012
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists. Implement and conduct evaluation of programs designed to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers.
Median wage
$58,440
$40,550–$94,670
Projected growth
+8.5%
Faster than average
Annual openings
270
per year
Employed (US)
31,450
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
204 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingWritingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Education and TrainingEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentMathematics
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareIndustrial control softwareSpreadsheet software
Representative tasks
Evaluate situations or make determinations when a worker has refused to work on the grounds that danSupply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.Train workers in safety procedures related to green jobs, such as the use of fall protection devices
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Personal protective equipment inventory — locate, distribute, and inspect under direct supervision at an industrial or construction worksite.Workplace hazard recognition — identify common chemical, biological, noise, and radiation exposure risks by following established checklists in a supervised field setting.Environmental records and documentation — enter inspection data into spreadsheet or document management software under the guidance of a senior technician.Fire suppression system components — perform visual checks and report deficiencies to a supervisor during routine facility walkthroughs.Safety procedure manuals — read and summarize written protocols using active reading strategies to prepare for on-the-job task assignments.Basic monitoring instruments — operate noise meters and air-sampling devices under direct supervision to collect preliminary exposure data in a warehouse or plant environment.Worker safety communications — listen actively and relay worker concerns about potential hazards to supervising safety personnel without independent judgment.Safety training support — assist senior staff in setting up and delivering green-job safety orientation sessions, such as fall protection basics at a wind energy construction site.Incident documentation software — input near-miss and injury records into a database or ERP system following prescribed data entry protocols.Hearing protection and respirator availability — conduct an inventory count and flag shortages using a provided tracking form in a manufacturing facility.
developing
Air and noise sampling programs — conduct routine environmental hazard tests for chemical exposures and excessive noise levels with reduced oversight at manufacturing or construction sites.Personal protective equipment maintenance — inspect, fit-test, and replace respirators and hearing protection devices in accordance with OSHA standards across multiple work areas.Environmental compliance records — compile, organize, and submit required documentation using document management and spreadsheet software within regulatory deadlines.Worker refusal investigations — gather preliminary facts about a work refusal, assess surface-level danger indicators, and escalate findings to a safety professional with a written summary.Fire suppression system inspections — evaluate portable and fixed fire systems for operational readiness, record findings, and schedule corrective maintenance as needed.Green-job safety training delivery — facilitate hands-on training sessions on fall protection and ventilation practices for wind turbine or solar installation crews with moderate supervision.Safety equipment usage monitoring — track and verify daily use of required PPE across work crews using industrial control or ERP software dashboards.Written safety reports — draft clear, accurate inspection reports and corrective-action memos using word processing software for review by safety managers.Workplace hazard sampling data analysis — apply basic statistical and spreadsheet methods to interpret exposure monitoring results against regulatory threshold limits.Internal safety consultations — respond to frontline supervisor inquiries about safe work practices by applying knowledge of public safety regulations and engineering controls.
proficient
Complex hazard evaluations — independently assess situations where workers have refused assignments due to danger, applying deductive and inductive reasoning to determine risk validity and recommend corrective action.Full-scope environmental hazard testing — plan and execute radiation, chemical, biological, and noise exposure sampling programs across multiple facility areas, interpreting results against applicable standards.Regulatory compliance documentation — manage all required environmental and safety records systems, ensuring accuracy, retention, and audit-readiness using ERP and document management platforms.Non-routine PPE program management — evaluate, select, and oversee organization-wide deployment of specialized protective equipment for novel or complex hazard scenarios.Advanced green-job safety training — design and lead comprehensive safety training curricula for renewable energy construction crews, integrating systems analysis of site-specific hazards.Fire protection system audits — conduct thorough inspections of integrated fire suppression and portable systems, producing detailed compliance reports and directing corrective maintenance.Organizational safety consultations — advise business units or external agencies on the application of engineering controls, administrative safeguards, and behavioral safety principles to workplace hazards.Worker refusal determinations — exercise independent judgment to evaluate the legitimacy of danger claims, document findings, and communicate binding determinations to management and workers.Safety data presentation — develop and deliver professional presentations using graphics and presentation software to communicate risk findings and corrective strategies to management audiences.Systems-level monitoring programs — design ongoing workplace monitoring protocols that integrate multiple data streams, identifying trends and triggering proactive interventions before incidents occur.
advanced
Occupational health and safety strategy — lead the development and implementation of organization-wide safety management systems aligned with regulatory requirements and industry best practices across all facilities.Safety culture leadership — model and champion a proactive safety culture by influencing executive decision-making, integrating safety principles into organizational values and operational planning.Program evaluation and continuous improvement — apply systems evaluation methods to assess the effectiveness of safety programs, identify systemic gaps, and direct evidence-based improvements at organizational scale.Cross-functional consultation and negotiation — represent the safety function in negotiations with regulatory agencies, labor representatives, and senior leadership to resolve complex compliance and policy disputes.Workforce development and mentorship — design learning strategies and mentor developing technicians and safety professionals, building organizational capability and succession pipelines.Enterprise risk governance — oversee organization-wide environmental hazard monitoring programs, ensuring data integrity, regulatory reporting, and integration with enterprise risk management frameworks.Emergency preparedness leadership — direct the development and testing of facility-wide emergency response plans integrating fire suppression, hazardous materials, and worker evacuation protocols.Safety technology architecture — evaluate, select, and champion adoption of industrial control, ERP, and monitoring technologies that advance the organization's hazard detection and compliance capabilities.Green and emerging-industry safety standards — lead the organization's adaptation to safety requirements for renewable energy and emerging technology sectors, shaping internal policies and external advocacy positions.Regulatory and legal compliance oversight — provide authoritative guidance on the intersection of occupational safety law, government regulations, and organizational liability, advising senior leadership on risk exposure and strategic compliance posture.
Also known as
35 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST)Safety and Training CoordinatorSafety TrainerConstruction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)Safety SpecialistSafety InstructorSite Safety CoordinatorHealth and Safety CoordinatorEHS Advisor (Environmental, Health, and Safety Advisor)Safety OfficerAdvisory Industrial HygienistPatient Safety CoordinatorCertified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)Safety Equipment Testing SpecialistErgonomics Technician (Ergonomics Tech)Safety CoordinatorIndustrial Hygiene ConsultantHealth and Safety Technician (Health and Safety Tech)Workplace CoordinatorOccupational Health and Safety Technician (Occupational Health and Safety Tech)Industrial HygienistSafety Compliance CoordinatorRadiation MonitorEnvironmental Health TechnologistFood Safety CoordinatorSafety and Quality CoordinatorSite Safety and Health OfficerEHS Coordinator (Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator)Safety and Environmental CoordinatorEnvironmental Health and Safety Technician (Environmental Health and Safety Tech)Life Safety Technician (Life Safety Tech)Safety Technician (Safety Tech)Construction Safety ConsultantConsumer Safety Technician (Consumer Safety Tech)Field Safety Coordinator