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What Is a Health and Safety Consultant and How to Become One


What Is a Health and Safety Consultant?

A health and safety consultant conducts workplace visits to identify potential hazards to the physical well-being of employees. As a health and safety consultant, you work for a consulting firm and conduct on-site inspections at a client’s workplace. Your job duties include gathering observational data, interviewing employees, performing tests, analyzing data, and measuring risks. Using all of that information, you present recommendations for improvements and safety measures to the leadership of client companies. You may have to report violations to your supervisors or to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

How to Become a Health and Safety Consultant

The qualifications you need for a career as a health and safety consultant are a bachelor’s degree in a field related to industrial hygiene and experience working in the health and safety industry. On-the-job training is a crucial part of the job, especially when exposure to hazardous materials, chemicals, or noise levels is possible. You can earn optional certifications to refine your skills and improve your career prospects, such as those administered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals or the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.