Occupational Health Safety Specialist

  • Is safety important to you?
  • Are you a strong communicator?
  • Do you have good attention to detail and a desire to help others?

If you answered yes to these questions, a career as an occupational health safety specialist may be right for you. These professionals, who are also called risk managers, are responsible for keeping workplaces as safe and accident free as possible.

Professionals serving in public health careers are responsible for improving the health and wellbeing of communities and individuals. Occupational health safety specialists do this by partnering with companies to make sure their work environments are as efficient, safe and healthy as possible.

Occupational health safety specialists are responsible for:

  • Finding safer, healthier and more efficient ways for companies to operate
  • Analyzing work environments to identify potential hazards
  • Identifying patterns of injury and illness
  • Inspecting workplaces to make sure companies comply with worker health and safety laws
  • Conducting investigations after accidents/injuries
  • Coordinating rehabilitation for injured employees
  • Implementing programs to correct risk conditions

Occupational health safety specialists need to be good listeners and excellent communicators. They also must have a strong attention to detail and be committed to continuing their education to meet recertification requirements.

Professionals in this public health career truly believe that safety on the job is no accident.

At Kent State’s College of Public Health, we can help you prepare for a position in this field as well as many other public health careers. Visit our public health careers page to learn more about the job outlook and salary expectations for this dynamic industry.