Health and Safety Engineer

Your Fit

Income

$104K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

3.7%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Health and Safety Engineer?

A Health and Safety Engineer is responsible for designing systems and procedures that prevent people from getting sick or injured and property from being damaged. They combine knowledge of engineering and health and safety to ensure that chemicals, machinery, software, furniture, and other consumer products will not cause harm to people or damage to property.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Health and Safety Engineer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Health and Safety Engineer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$62K per year	$82K per year	$104K per year	$132K per year	$161K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $56K above the national average.

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What does a Health and Safety Engineer do?

Work environment

Health and Safety Engineers typically work in offices, although they may spend time at industrial plants, worksites, or other locations where they monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. They might be employed in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, construction, and corporate environments, often working with engineers, technicians, and corporate management.

Quick task list

Develops and implements health and safety plans in workplaces.
Identifies potential hazards and ensures compliance with health and safety regulations.
Investigates accidents and incidents to determine causes and preventive measures.
Conducts training sessions and presentations on health and safety topics.
Collaborates with engineers and other professionals to minimize risks.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Industrial Safety: Focusing on preventing accidents and injuries in industrial settings.
Environmental Safety: Ensuring practices comply with environmental regulations and do not harm the ecosystem.
Occupational Health: Specializing in workplace health and preventing occupational diseases.
Fire Protection Engineering: Designing systems to prevent and control fires.
Product Safety Engineering: Ensuring consumer products are safe for use.

Description

Health and Safety Engineers play a critical role in minimizing the risk of accidents, injuries, and environmental damage. They use their engineering expertise to design and implement safety systems and procedures. This might involve analyzing many types of data and collaborating with other professionals to develop and enforce standards and regulations to protect people and property.

Their work requires a good understanding of both engineering principles and health and safety practices. They must keep up-to-date with changes in technology and regulations and apply this knowledge to various industrial processes or consumer products. Effective communication skills are essential, as they often need to explain complex technical information to people without an engineering background.

This career is suited to those who have a keen interest in both engineering and public safety. Health and Safety Engineers have the satisfaction of knowing their work helps to protect others. They often work on a variety of projects across different industries, offering diverse and engaging career opportunities.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a significant impact on the safety and well-being of workers and the public.
The challenge of solving complex safety-related problems.
Variety in daily tasks and the opportunity to work across multiple industries.

You might make a good Health and Safety Engineer if you are...

Passionate about protecting people's health and safety.
Skilled in problem-solving and analytical thinking.
Good at communicating complex ideas in simple terms.
Interested in engineering and how things work.
Detail-oriented and able to identify potential hazards.

Pros:

Rewarding work with a direct impact on people's safety and health.
Diverse job opportunities in various industries.
Potential for growth and specialization in different safety disciplines.

Cons:

Can involve high-responsibility and sometimes stressful situations, especially following accidents.
Requires staying current with numerous regulations and standards.
Fieldwork might involve exposure to hazardous materials or environments.

How to become a Health and Safety Engineer

Typical education

Most Health and Safety Engineers have a bachelor's degree in environmental health and safety or a related engineering field, which typically requires 4 years of post-secondary education. Some positions may require a master's degree or additional certifications in health and safety disciplines.

High school preparation

Courses:

Mathematics and Physics to build a strong foundation in science and engineering principles.
Chemistry and Biology for understanding environmental health.
Technical writing and communication courses.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining science clubs or engineering-focused groups.
Volunteering with local community safety programs or environmental organizations.
Participating in science fairs with projects focused on health and safety.

Preparation after high school

Earn a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental health and safety, or a related field.
Consider internships in manufacturing, construction, or industrial settings to gain practical experience.
Pursue certifications such as the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).

More resources

Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) - Provides information on safety certifications.
American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) - Offers resources, education, and networking opportunities for safety professionals.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Provides guidelines and resources for workplace safety and health.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - Offers resources and information on fire safety and prevention.

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