Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.
From people doing the work
As a Health and Safety Engineer, my days are a mix of site visits, risk assessments, and a lot of documentation. I spend a good amount of time analyzing data to identify trends and potential hazards, then developing solutions to prevent incidents. It's to see the direct impact of my work on employee well-being and operational efficiency. There's a constant need to stay updated on regulations and new technologies, and communication skills are key for training and collaborating with different teams.
Drawn from ASSP discussions, EHS Today articles, Reddit r/OSHA discussions
Attribution: Composite
Composite · Synthesised from ASSP discussions, EHS Today articles, Reddit r/OSHA discussions
A day in the life of Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 85% Team / 15% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Frequent
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 40-50
- Stress level
- Moderate
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors salary, education and outlook at a glance
- Median salary
- $109,660
- Entry-level
- $71,000
- Senior
- $181,000
- Growth by 2033
- +4.4%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- 155%
- Typical student debt
- High
Skills you need as Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Hard skills
- Engineering and Technology
- Complex Problem Solving
- Object or component oriented development software
Soft skills
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Instructing
- Active Listening
Technical complexity: Moderate
Tools of the trade
Core tools
- AutoCAD (Software): To design and draft safety layouts, equipment, and facility modifications.
- Microsoft Excel (Software): For data analysis, tracking incidents, managing safety records, and creating reports.
- OSHA Standards Database (Database): To access and interpret occupational safety and health regulations and guidelines.
Commonly used
- Safety Management Systems (SMS) Software (Software): To manage safety programs, conduct audits, and track corrective actions.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Hardware): To ensure personal safety during site inspections and hazard assessments.
Specialist tools
- Risk Assessment Software (Software): To identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential hazards and risks in the workplace.
- Incident Investigation Software (Software): To systematically record, analyze, and report workplace incidents and accidents.
How to become Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's degree
- Licensing
- Varies by State
- Years to mid-career
- 5-8
- Years to senior
- 12-18
- Career switching
- Hard
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians: Individuals in this role often transition to Health and Safety Engineering after gaining experience in industrial processes and technical support.
- Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist: EHS Specialists frequently move into engineering roles as they develop expertise in safety regulations and risk management.
- Quality Control Inspector: Quality Control Inspectors can pivot to Health and Safety Engineering by focusing on safety standards and compliance within manufacturing.
Where you can go from here
- Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists: Health and Safety Engineers can specialize in human factors to optimize human-system interaction and reduce errors.
- Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers: A natural progression for safety engineers to focus on fire safety systems and prevention strategies.
- Industrial Hygienist: Engineers may move into industrial hygiene to focus on anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace environmental hazards.
Typical progression
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
- or Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors job outlook and future demand
- Automation probability
- Very Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
Job satisfaction as Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.3/10
- Meaning
- 7.2/10
- Work-life balance
- 7/10
- Prestige
- 8.2/10
- Social perception
- Very High
Where practitioners gather
Professional organisations
- American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP): A global association for occupational safety and health professionals providing education, advocacy, and standards development.
- National Safety Council (NSC): A non-profit organization promoting safety and health at work, on the road, and in homes and communities.
Podcasts and media
- EHS Today: A publication providing news, analysis, and resources for environmental, health, and safety professionals.
- Safety + Health Magazine: The official magazine of the National Safety Council, offering articles on workplace safety and health topics.
Reddit communities
- r/OSHA: An online community for discussions, news, and memes related to occupational safety and health administration.