Careers in Safety Management
- Safety management careers focus on identifying work-related hazards and recommending solutions.building inspector,woman image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
Careers in safety management involve the physical, chemical, psychological and biological safety of employees and the general public. These professionals work in environmental companies, engineering, manufacturing, construction, insurance and in government agencies. They conduct research or investigations, develop safety regulations or create products and programs designed to reduce injury or prevent illness. - Occupational health and safety specialists or inspectors work for the government, consulting firms, manufacturing companies, hospitals or educational services. Some are self-employed. They develop programs, methods and regulations relating to worker safety. They conduct inspections in work environments, paying particular attention to equipment and air quality in addition to physical, chemical, biological and radiological hazards. This position required either a bachelor's or master's degree in occupational safety, health or a related field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, these specialists earn a median salary of $63,230 a year as of 2009.
- Employee assistance plan (EAP) managers are human resources professionals who oversee employee programs related to occupational health and safety. These could include physical fitness, medical examinations, health promotion, food service, child care services, recreational activities and transportation programs. They are also responsible for improving career counseling or mental health counseling services for employees struggling with personal, financial or emotional problems. They generally work in administrative or human resources departments of companies. These positions typically require a bachelor's or graduate degree with an interdisciplinary background in human resources, business administration, finance, law and social sciences. According to the website Salary.com, the median income for EAP managers as of 2009 was $71,031.
- Health and safety engineers work in industrial plants, construction sites or for the government. They pinpoint and assess potential hazards in the workplace, such as the use of chemicals or risk of fire. They suggest and design alternative methods to decrease the possibility of injury, illness or damage. A bachelor's or graduate degree in engineering is required for this position, preferably with a concentration in health and safety. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health and safety engineers earned a median salary of $74,080 a year as of 2009.
