Health and safety officers

Description

Health and safety officers counsel employees to ensure and promote health and safety in the workplace and co-ordinate accident prevention and health and safety measures within an establishment or organisation.

Tasks

• inspects workplace areas to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation
• helps to develop effective health and safety policies and procedures and carries out risk assessments
• instructs workers in the proper use of protective clothing and safety devices and conducts routine tests on that equipment
• compiles statistics on accidents and injuries, analyses their causes and makes recommendations to management accordingly
• maintains contact with those off work due to illness
• counsels individuals on any personal or domestic problems affecting their work
• gives talks and distributes information on accident prevention, and keeps up to date with the relevant legislation.

Educational Requirements

Entrants usually possess an NVQ/SVQ at Level 3 in Occupational Health and Safety Practice. Higher level accredited qualifications (at Levels 4 to 6) are achievable via the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.