Job Description
Health and Safety Officers are responsible for ensuring that employees comply with health and safety legislation and that safety policies are practiced and adhered too. They will carry out risk assessments, site inspections, provide training and make sure that any incidents are recorded correctly.
Entry Requirements
You can get into this job through:
Apprenticeship
You can do an advanced apprenticeship as a safety, health and environment technician.
You can also complete an environmental health practitioner degree apprenticeship, if you're going to work mainly in environmental safety.
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Click here to search for an apprenticeship.
University
You can do a degree or postgraduate diploma recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
Click here to search for a suitable course.
Other Routes
You could study for a health and safety qualification while you're working or to improve your chances of finding a trainee position.
These are likely to include health and safety in the workplace, regulations, risk assessment and basic accident investigation. Courses are usually available on a part-time basis or by distance learning.
You can take approved health and safety courses through:
More Information
The Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register has a list of professional bodies and examining boards.
You can find more on careers in health and safety from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register.
Career Path and Progression
With experience, you could move into a safety management role.
You could also become a consultant and specialise in a particular area like environmental. construction or food safety. With further study you could move into research, training or lecturing.
Related careers you may be interested in:
- Agricultural inspector
- Trade union official
- Environmental health officer
- Meat hygiene inspector
- Human resources officer
Required Skills
- Ability to communicate health & safety procedures effectively
- Good IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Patience and diplomacy to implement effective training
- A flexible approach to work
Salary Range
£22,000 to £70,000
