Health And Safety job description

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Description - Skills - Education - Trends

Someone who works in Health and Safety is responsible for providing an organisation with expert knowledge aimed at controlling occupational risks in the workplace and promoting positive health and safety conditions for employees. Advisors work closely with employees and employers, as well as trade unions and directors
A Health and Safety worker’s main responsibility is to ensure that any safety legislations are adhered to and followed within a work environment. Advisors may further be asked to review, monitor and revise current safety regulations.
The main goal of the job holder is to ensure that minimal injuries, accidents or other occupational health problems that could have been prevented occur within a workplace.
No standard training or education requirements are in place for advisors. However, employers prefer to hire those with experience in a relevant field. Some employers may require a post-secondary qualification related to occupational health and safety. Those who hold a qualification in occupational health will be much more attractive candidates to employers looking to fill management positions.

Description

Health and Safety practitioners are required to minimise risks of injury at work. They help managers, employees, and trade unions by creating safety policies and educating them on secure procedures to be followed day to day and in emergency cases. These practitioners can work within most organisations, including sectors like construction, healthcare, transport, energy, manufacturing, education, local and central government, etc.

Health and Safety practitioners usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Carrying out fire drills.
• Investigating accidents to find ways to prevent them.
• Drawing up policies and procedures.
• Keeping records related to accidents.
• Advising on fire precautions.

Skills

• Being able to work under pressure.
• Being able to think ahead to anticipate problems.
• Being assertive and tactful.
• Having IT skills.
• Having good communication abilities.
• Being investigative.
• Being able to explain complex information to others.
• Having negotiation skills.
• Having interpersonal abilities.
• Having problem solving skills.

Education

Most Health and Safety jobs require a degree level for application. These qualifications can be degree courses in occupational safety and health or a foundation degree in health and safety management (candidates of the second option need a Level 3 qualification). These courses require five GCSE’s (A
*-C) and two A levels as a minimum. There are other relevant options for this area such as environmental and land based studies and Diplomas in construction and the built environment.

It is also recommended to have specialist qualifications from The British Safety Council (BSC) and The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH). These courses offer BSC Level 3 certificate in occupational safety and health, National General Certificate in occupational health and safety, NVQ Level 3 in occupational health and safety, and NEBOSH certificate level qualifications, including Level 3.

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