Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-5012
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Evaluate situations or make determinations when a worker has refused to work on the grounds that danger or potential harm exists.
• Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.
• Train workers in safety procedures related to green jobs, such as the use of fall protection devices or maintenance of proper ventilation during wind turbine construction.
• Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.
• Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.
• Provide consultation to organizations or agencies on the workplace application of safety principles, practices, or techniques.
• Inspect fire suppression systems or portable fire systems to ensure proper working order.
• Verify availability or monitor use of safety equipment, such as hearing protection or respirators.
• Recommend corrective measures to be applied based on results of environmental contaminant analyses.
• Prepare or review specifications or orders for the purchase of safety equipment, ensuring that proper features are present and that items conform to health and safety standards.
• Prepare or calibrate equipment used to collect or analyze samples.
• Conduct worker studies to determine whether specific instances of disease or illness are job-related.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Aerosol meters, Aerosol photometers, Air compressors, Air flow calibrators

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
• Environmental Compliance Inspectors
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
• Environmental Engineers
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Occupational Health and Safety Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.