A safety professional is someone who works in a manufacturing or industrial setting and analyzes risks and potentially hazardous practices in order to improve worker safety. To become a safety professional in many parts of the world, a candidate must complete both a high school education and a certificate program. An associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field may also be required, though this is not always the case for this position.
Basic math skills, knowledge of basic scientific concepts, and an understanding of mechanical processes as well as industrial or manufacturing practices are just a few of the skills a safety professional must possess. If the safety professional works in a specific field, such as petroleum extraction, he or she will need to be as knowledgeable as possible about the extraction process as well as all other processes that occur in the extraction setting. This person’s goal is to make recommendations for changes in practices while still ensuring that the company maintains a high level of productivity. The safety professional’s primary concern is the well-being of all employees, and he or she must make decisions with this in mind.
Many countries have regulatory bodies that oversee safety procedures in manufacturing and industry, as well as other workplaces. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States, for example, is the regulatory body that dictates proper safety techniques and practices in a variety of workplaces. The safety professional will need to inspect businesses in accordance with OSHA regulations, and he or she will need to put in place processes to ensure that the regulations are followed. For example, if a company is out of compliance, the professional will need to work with managers or owners to develop plans for changing processes that do not comply with OSHA regulations.
To make such changes, the safety professional must first become certified by that regulating body, demonstrating that he or she is qualified to assess the business and make necessary changes. The certification process varies by region, but candidates should plan on investing a year or more in training and certification. In some areas, the professional must obtain a higher education degree, such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, which can take two to four years to complete.