Occupational Health and Safety Specialists — Tasks

Task statements

• Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
• Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
• Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
• Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
• Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
• Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
• Collaborate with engineers or physicians to institute control or remedial measures for hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, or other conditions that could affect employee health, comfort, or performance.
• Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.
• Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations.
• Write reports.
• Inspect specified areas to ensure the presence of fire prevention equipment, safety equipment, or first-aid supplies.
• Provide new-employee health and safety orientations and develop materials for these presentations.
• Analyze incident data to identify trends in injuries, illnesses, accidents, or other hazards.
• Maintain or update emergency response plans or procedures.
• Coordinate "right-to-know" programs regarding hazardous chemicals or other substances.
• Conduct audits at hazardous waste sites or industrial sites or participate in hazardous waste site investigations.
• Develop or maintain medical monitoring programs for employees.
• Collect samples of hazardous materials or arrange for sample collection.
• Maintain inventories of hazardous materials or hazardous wastes, using waste tracking systems to ensure that materials are handled properly.
• Prepare hazardous, radioactive, or mixed waste samples for transportation or storage by treating, compacting, packaging, and labeling them.
• Perform laboratory analyses or physical inspections of samples to detect disease or to assess purity or cleanliness.