To become an occupational health and safety professional you must have educational qualifications and experience. You also must pass certain written examinations. All occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must go through on the job and classroom training, to learn about the relevant laws and inspection procedures.



The federal government and some other employers require that you have a 4-year college degree in safety, or some allied subject, to be eligible for some specialist positions. To apply for some positions, it is also necessary to have relevant working experience. To be successful in this field, it is essential to be aware of the principles of safety and occupational health training.

Certification

Certification is available through the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCIP). The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist (CAIH) credentials are offered by the ABIH. The Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential is offered by the BCIP. Certification is voluntary, though many employers encourage it.

The Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists is a joint effort between the ABIH and BCIP. It awards the Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) credential. For certification, you must first meet the qualification and experience requirements and then write an examination.

Being Up To Date

Health and safety training services aim to keep you informed about the latest changes in workplace safety, risk assessment and management, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, laboratory design etc. Nuclear safety, radiation waste management, radiation protection and environmental management are also covered. The principles of safety and occupational health training need to be followed for the training programs to be effective.

Getting a Buy-In

As per the principles of safety and occupational health training, before starting a workplace health and safety training program it is better to do a survey to identify the underlying concerns of the employees to get clarity and to get a buy-in from employees of all levels.

Employee Health and Safety

Employee health and safety training programs are initiated with the objective of making employees take responsibility for their own health. This can be done through programs for enhanced fitness, weight control, better nutrition and stress management. Programs for giving up smoking, better use of medical services and control of chronic illnesses are also organized.

These programs can make employees feel that the employer cares for their well-being. They can reduce absenteeism, lower health care costs and make employees more fit to work. Professional counseling can help employees to deal with issues like substance abuse and family problems. This is as per the principles of safety and occupational health training.