Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
- Construction Safety Consultant
- Industrial Hygienist
- Safety Specialist
Alternate Job Titles
- Advisory Industrial Hygienist
- Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
- Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)
- Construction Safety Consultant
- Consumer Safety Technician (Consumer Safety Tech)
- EHS Advisor (Environmental, Health, and Safety Advisor)
- EHS Coordinator (Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator)
- Environmental Health and Safety Technician (Environmental Health and Safety Tech)
- Environmental Health Technologist
- Ergonomics Technician (Ergonomics Tech)
- Field Safety Coordinator
- Food Safety Coordinator
- Health and Safety Coordinator
- Health and Safety Technician (Health and Safety Tech)
- Industrial Hygiene Consultant
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cautiousness
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Achievement
- Independence
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Aerosol meters
- Aerosol photometers
- Air compressors
- Air flow calibrators
- Air quality dataloggers
- Airflow indicators
- Anemometers
- Carbon monoxide sensors
- Cascade impactors
- Combustible gas detectors
- Cyclone samplers
- Data acquisition equipment
- Data loggers
- Diffusive air samplers
- Digital cameras
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $40,550 |
| Median | $58,440 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $94,670 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 31,450
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $109,660
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $83,910
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $78,420
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $80,060
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $49,490
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.