Health and Safety Adviser
What is the work like?
As a health and safety adviser, it would be your aim to prevent accidents, injuries and health problems in the workplace. You would create health and safety policies and put them into practice, and make sure that employers and workers follow safety policies, practices and laws.
Depending on your employer, your work could cover areas such as fire safety, occupational health, noise, safe use of machinery and control of hazardous substances. Your key tasks could include:
- developing effective policies and procedures
- making regular inspections and risk assessments
- keeping accident records
- advising on protective clothing and equipment
- training employees on safety issues
- investigating accidents and recommending any improvements in safety standards
- writing reports
- working with Health and Safety Executive inspectors and trade unions
- keeping up to date with changes in the law.
You may also be known as a health and safety officer, manager or practitioner.
In some companies, responsibility for health and safety may be part of another job role such as personnel or facilities management.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a health and safety adviser, you can either study for health and safety qualifications part-time or by distance learning whilst you are working, or you could take a full-time course before you look for work. You may find it useful to have previous experience of risk assessment, or a background in construction, manufacturing, engineering or scientific work before moving into health and safety.
If you are new to health and safety, or if health and safety is only one part of your job, you can start by taking a relevant level 3 qualification, such as:
- NVQ Level 3 in Occupational Health and Safety
- National Examinations Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Level 3 National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
- British Safety Council (BSC) Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health.
You can then progress to more advanced qualifications as your level of responsibility grows. You will usually need a higher level of qualification accredited by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) to work as a full-time health and safety officer. Accredited qualifications include:
- NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
- BSC Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health
- NVQ levels 4 and 5 in Occupational Health and Safety Practice
- full- or part-time university degrees and postgraduate courses in occupational health and safety.
You can find a full list of accredited courses on the IOSH website. Contact course providers for exact entry requirements.
What further training and development can I do?
You will develop your skills on the job and also attend short training courses run by in-company training departments, local colleges or health and safety consultants.
Your training may include part-time study for NEBOSH or BSC qualifications, or working towards NVQs in Occupational Health and Safety Practice.
You could also work towards specialist qualifications relevant to your particular job, such as:
- NEBOSH Specialist Diploma in Environmental Management
- BSC Diploma in Environmental Management
- NEBOSH Certificate in Construction Safety
- NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate.
You should keep your knowledge up to date throughout your career. IOSH provides a range of short professional development courses to help you with this.
It may be useful for your career development to join IOSH as a Technician or Graduate member (depending on your level of qualifications and experience in health and safety). As a Graduate member, you can work towards Chartered Membership of IOSH, by taking part in a two-year Initial Professional Development (IPD) scheme. See the IOSH website for more information.
Where can I go for more information?
National Safety Centre70 Chancellors Road
London
W6 9RS
Tel: 020 8741 1231
Highfield Drive
Wigston
Leicestershire
LE18 1NN
Tel: 0116 257 3100
Meridian Business Park
Leicester
LE19 1QW
Tel: 0116 263 4700
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries can be around £20,000 to £22,000 a year.
- With more experience earnings can reach £25,000 to £40,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your typical working hours would be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, although you may work shifts in some industries. You could also be on call in case of emergencies or accidents.
You would have an office base, but depending on the industry you work in you could also spend time in factories, building sites, offshore rigs or other environments. In some industries you may need to work outside, at heights or in cramped spaces.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good spoken and written communication skills
- good negotiation skills
- a tactful but assertive manner
- a good level of physical fitness and stamina
- logical thinking and problem-solving ability
- good organisational skills and attention to detail
- the ability to cope under pressure
- the ability to understand and interpret relevant laws
- computer literacy.
What opportunities are there?
You could work as a health and safety adviser in most industries, particularly construction, oil and gas, engineering, manufacturing, chemical processing, service industries and public services like hospitals and local authorities.
Jobs may be advertised in the local and national press, trade magazines and specialist recruitment agencies.
With experience, you could specialise in a particular area of health and safety, or you could progress into management. You could also move into the Health and Safety Executive as an inspector, or choose to work freelance as a consultant.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open new window):
Safety & Health Practitioner
SHP4Jobs
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