In our review of different careers, we take a look at how to become a health and safety officer. We also take a look at what a health and safety officer does and what skills and attributes are required to become a health and safety officer.
What Does a Health and Safety Officer Do?
A health and safety officer has the task of ensuring that a workplace or a public place is safe to be in. They must ensure that all health and safety rules, laws and legislation are being adhered to so that employees and any members of the public do not get injured. This is done not only to ensure the safety of people but also to save money so that fewer claims and lawsuits are made against the company.
As a health and safety officer, you would create policies for your workplace in order to assist the company to work within health and safety laws that are in place, relating to things such as occupational health, fire safety, safe use of machinery, noise and control of hazardous substances. In addition to this you will also carry out regular inspections of the workplace to ensure all legislation and policies are being followed and to enable you to see anything that may become an issue, keep up to date with all changes in law relating to health and safety, keeping records of accidents, training employees on health and safety issues, investigating accidents and writing reports.
In this role you would usually work a forty hour week, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Your working environment will depend entirely on who you work for, and could be anything from a busy shopping centre to building and construction sites.
Is Becoming a Health and Safety Officer Right For Me?
To become a health and safety officer, you will need to have the following skills and attributes:
- An excellent knowledge of health and safety law and legislation and a willingness to keep up to date with any changes that are made
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- An assertive manner
- Good problem-solving skills and a logical way of thinking
- Attention to detail
- A good level of fitness
How Much Can a Health and Safety Officer Earn?
The annual salary for a health and safety officer can be anywhere from £22,000 a year and £35,000 a year. The salary can vary dramatically based on your own knowledge and experience and the company you are working for.
What Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Health and Safety Officer?
To become a health and safety officer you can gain a qualification while you work such as a Level 3 award in Health and Safety in the Workplace, or a Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
