The specific duties of safety engineers (also called occupational safety and health specialists) vary depending on where they work. In general, they are responsible for the safe operation of their employer's facilities and for the physical safety of the employees. They inspect, advise, and train.
In a large manufacturing plant, a safety engineer might develop a comprehensive safety program covering thousands of employees. This would include making a detailed analysis of each job, identifying potential hazards, investigating accidents to determine causes, designing and installing safety equipment, establishing safety training programs, and supervising employee safety committees.
In a trucking company, a safety engineer inspects heavy rigs such as trucks and trailers; checks out drivers for safe driving practices; and studies schedules, routes, loads, and speeds to determine their influence on accidents. In a mining company, a safety engineer inspects underground or open pit areas for compliance with state and federal laws, designs protective equipment and safety devices and programs, and leads rescue activities in emergency situations.
Safety engineers are also concerned with product safety. They work with design engineers to develop products that meet safety standards and monitor manufacturing processes to ensure the safety of the finished product.
Other occupational safety and health specialists work as fire protection engineers who safeguard life and property from fire, explosion, and related hazards. Some specialists research the causes of fires and the flammability of different building materials. Others identify hazards and develop protective measures and training programs. They work for fire equipment manufacturers, insurance rating bureaus, and consulting firms. Some are specialists in sprinkler or fire-detection systems.
Industrial hygienists detect and remedy industrial problems that affect the health of workers. They monitor noise levels, dust, vapors, and radioactivity levels. Some work in laboratories and study the effects of various industrial substances on humans and air and water. They work with government regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and labor organizations as well as plant management.
Loss control consultants and occupational health consultants work for property-liability insurance companies. The services they provide include inspecting the premises for safety violations and giving advice, designing safety training programs, and designing plant health and medical programs. They also work with the insurance company's underwriters to assess risks and develop premium schedules.
Related jobs are claim representative, engineering and science technician, environmentalist, firefighter, industrial designer, and underwriter.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Safety engineers and other occupational and health specialists work throughout the country with the largest concentration in heavily industrialized areas. These jobs are usually very active and often entail climbing and other strenuous activities in the course of inspections or emergency situations. A great deal of travel is involved for some workers, especially those who work as consultants for insurance companies.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Safety engineers and other safety and health specialists must have good communications skills and be able to motivate people. They should get along well with people and be able to deal with them effectively at all levels—from company president to production line worker. They should be assertive and have good judgment. Good physical condition is important.
A college preparatory course should be taken in high school with emphasis on mathematics and science.
Graduates of two-year colleges are sometimes hired to work as technicians in this field, but most employers require at least a bachelor's degree in science or engineering. Some prefer a more specialized degree in a field such as industrial safety, safety management, or fire protection engineering or graduate work in industrial hygiene, safety engineering, or occupational safety and health engineering.
Technological advancements make continuing education a necessity in this field. Many insurance companies offer training seminars and correspondence courses; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducts courses in occupational injury investigation and radiological health hazards.
After having successfully completed examinations and the required years of experience, specialists in occupational health and safety may achieve certification from their respective professional societies. These designations include certified safety professional; certified industrial hygienist; and member, Society of Fire Protection Engineers.
Potential and Advancement
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the field will grow by 6 percent between 2014 and 2024.. Most job openings will occur in manufacturing and industrial firms. In large companies, advancement to top-level management is possible for experienced occupational safety and health specialists.
Income
The median annual salary for safety engineers in 2015 was $84,600, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
