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Environmental safety specialist vs health & safety officer

The differences between environmental safety specialists and health & safety officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an environmental safety specialist and a health & safety officer. Additionally, a health & safety officer has an average salary of $56,507, 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 & safety officer are OSHA, site safety, and em-385.

Environmental safety specialist vs health & safety officer overview

Environmental Safety SpecialistHealth & Safety Officer
Yearly salary$51,267$56,507
Hourly rate$24.65$27.17
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs31,038115,573
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

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 & safety officer do?

A Health and Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring the workplace's safety and security to provide smooth operations and implement safety practices within the premises. They inspect the facilities and equipment's condition and report any failures and defects for immediate resolution. They also facilitate safety training and programs for the employees to reiterate safety protocols and policies for strict compliance. A health and safety officer reviews incident reports, recommend safety and security resolutions and develop safety initiatives.

Environmental safety specialist vs health & safety officer salary

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

Environmental Safety SpecialistHealth & Safety Officer
Average salary$51,267$56,507
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $72,000Between $37,000 And $85,000
Highest paying CityToledo, OHBerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyEli Lilly and Company24M Technologies
Best paying industryEnergyConstruction

Differences between environmental safety specialist and health & safety officer education

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

Environmental Safety SpecialistHealth & Safety Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorOccupational Safety And HealthBusiness
Most common collegeDuke University-

Environmental safety specialist vs health & safety officer demographics

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

Environmental Safety SpecialistHealth & Safety Officer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 73.5% Female, 26.5%Male, 79.7% Female, 20.3%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between environmental safety specialist and health & safety officer 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 & safety officer example responsibilities.

  • Lead cross functional team on FMEA analysis, root cause analysis to improve the existing process.
  • Provide regulatory guidance of OSHA health and safety regulations and establish site interpretations of those regulations.
  • Organize students' information for CPR certification and parking registration.
  • Plan, organize, and host training sessions for CPR certification.
  • Develop metrics showing departmental and site EHS performances and present monthly findings to executive management.
  • Conduct internal audits of EHS programs and provide recommendations regarding the effectiveness of internal controls and processes.
  • Show more

Environmental safety specialist vs health & safety officer skills

Common environmental safety specialist skills
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Hazardous Materials, 5%
  • Corrective Action, 5%
  • EPA, 4%
  • Regulatory Agencies, 4%
  • Safety Program, 3%
Common health & safety officer skills
  • OSHA, 12%
  • Site Safety, 5%
  • Em-385, 5%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Fall Protection, 5%
  • SSHO, 4%

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