Overview

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 16 workers are injured on the job every day. Nearly 6,000 workers die from job-related accidents.

Environmental Health Practitioners specializing in occupational health and safety are concerned with the identification, prevention, and control of health and safety hazards related to work and the work environment, as well as their prevention and control.EHP Occupational Safety and Health Experts promote health and safety within organizations by developing safer, healthier, and more efficient ways of working.

If you pursue a career in this field, you might design programs to control, eliminate, or prevent health problems caused by chemical, physical, or biological agents. You might advise organizations about using more ergonomically-designed equipment or furniture.  You might conduct occupational safety inspections or evaluate how well employers adhere to laws, regulations, or policies designed to protect their workers' health and safety.

To learn more about this career, watch the video profile of "Occupational Health and Safety Specialists."

You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:

Occupational Health and Safety Expert 14 May 2008 [pdf, 157 KB]

Working Conditions

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work with many different people in a variety of environments. Their jobs often involve considerable fieldwork, and some travel frequently. Many occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work long and often irregular hours.