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Environmental safety specialist vs health and safety manager

The differences between environmental safety specialists and health and safety managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an environmental safety specialist, becoming a health and safety manager takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a health and safety manager has an average salary of $85,606, which is higher than the $51,267 average annual salary of an environmental safety specialist.

The top three skills for an environmental safety specialist include OSHA, hazardous materials and corrective action. The most important skills for a health and safety manager are EHS, corrective action, and safety program.

Environmental safety specialist vs health and safety manager overview

Environmental Safety SpecialistHealth And Safety Manager
Yearly salary$51,267$85,606
Hourly rate$24.65$41.16
Growth rate6%4%
Number of jobs31,03871,325
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4542
Years of experience62

What does an environmental safety specialist do?

An environmental safety specialist is responsible for promoting environmental sustainability by ensuring that the production and manufacturing operations of an organization would not harm the environment's condition in any way. Environmental safety specialists monitor the safety and efficiency of the company's processes to minimize risks and hazards that may occur in the workplace. They also plan and facilitate safety training and programs for all employees to reiterate safety guidelines and regulations while within the premises.

What does a health and safety manager do?

Health and Safety Managers oversee the company's compliance with occupational health and safety guidelines set by both governing bodies and company policies. They create company policies based on guidelines released by regulatory bodies. They also ensure that everyone follows these policies in the office. Health and safety managers are in charge of inspecting the workplace and ensuring no health hazards in the area. They are also in charge of signing off on materials and equipment used in the office to ensure that they are safe to use. Health and Safety Managers train health and safety officers to ensure that the same standard is applied to the department.

Environmental safety specialist vs health and safety manager salary

Environmental safety specialists and health and safety managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Environmental Safety SpecialistHealth And Safety Manager
Average salary$51,267$85,606
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $72,000Between $62,000 And $117,000
Highest paying CityToledo, OHSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaLouisiana
Best paying companyEli Lilly and CompanyThe Walt Disney Company
Best paying industryEnergyEnergy

Differences between environmental safety specialist and health and safety manager education

There are a few differences between an environmental safety specialist and a health and safety manager in terms of educational background:

Environmental Safety SpecialistHealth And Safety Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorOccupational Safety And HealthBusiness
Most common collegeDuke UniversityStanford University

Environmental safety specialist vs health and safety manager demographics

Here are the differences between environmental safety specialists' and health and safety managers' demographics:

Environmental Safety SpecialistHealth And Safety Manager
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 73.5% Female, 26.5%Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 9.6% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%4%

Differences between environmental safety specialist and health and safety manager duties and responsibilities

Environmental safety specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage all asbestos relate incidents/clean-ups.
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and environmental regulations.
  • Monitor OSHA mandate requirements to keep training guidelines current.
  • Review design specs for numerous complex remodeling, demolition and construction projects addressing many utility system impacts.
  • Obtain & hold certification standard within the company, and NFPA 10 and MSHA.
  • Conduct site specific orientation, mobile equipment, confine space and LOTO training.
  • Show more

Health and safety manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead district to earn distinction as first location in the company to adhere to rigorous EPA guidelines for hazardous materials handling.
  • Lead EHS management systems audits, conduct industrial hygiene evaluations, coordinate MSDS development and deliver EHS site-specific training.
  • Focuse on achieving the highest levels of HSE performance through behavior-base initiatives, auditing, mentoring and expeditiously implementing change.
  • Work with business units to identify opportunities for EHS improvement and develop and implement effective EHS management systems and best practices.
  • Assess payloads to assure compliance with NASA safety requirements.
  • Perform hazard analyses and safety assessments of NASA rocket motor tests, industrial facilities and operations.
  • Show more

Environmental safety specialist vs health and safety manager skills

Common environmental safety specialist skills
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Hazardous Materials, 5%
  • Corrective Action, 5%
  • EPA, 4%
  • Regulatory Agencies, 4%
  • Safety Program, 3%
Common health and safety manager skills
  • EHS, 6%
  • Corrective Action, 5%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • Management System, 4%
  • EPA, 3%

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