Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalary

Skills

What They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesRemote JobsJob OutlookCompareFull Time jobsWork From Home jobs
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Occupational health and safety specialist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Ph.D.,
Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical occupational health and safety specialist skills. We ranked the top skills for occupational health and safety specialists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.4% of occupational health and safety specialist resumes contained occupational safety as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an occupational health and safety specialist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 occupational health and safety specialist skills for your resume and career

1. Occupational Safety

Occupational safety, also known as occupational health, deals with preventing diseases, injuries, and deaths that arise because of working conditions.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use occupational safety:
  • Serve as an expert on issues related to environmental statutes, Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements, and emergency management.
  • Qualified Naval Occupational Safety and Health Safety Specialist, conducted OSHA facility and program inspections on both administrative and industrial facilities.

2. Safety Issues

Safety issues entail any report, occurrence, violation, or action that could lead to a negative impact on the physical well-being of a person, product, or environment.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use safety issues:
  • Coordinated resolution of contractor safety issues with Naval Facilities Engineering Command.
  • Conduct site safety assessments/audits pertaining to project safety issues for non-compliance.

3. Trend Analysis

Trend Analysis is the process of studying large chunks of data to predict a future outcome. Experts use trend analysis to identify if performing any task can be hazardous in the health and safety industry. The process could also determine the benefits and downsides of action in any work industry. If a process has been fruitful in the past, the company can follow it to increase success chances.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use trend analysis:
  • Compiled and reviewed mishap data for trend analysis and the development of comprehensive recommendations to reduce or eliminate mishaps.
  • Conducted accident investigations, compiling data for trend analysis and root cause to identify and or eliminate hazardous/unsafe conditions.

4. CFR

CFR, or Code of Federal Regulations, is the codification of general and permanent regulations published in the federal register by executive agencies and departments of the government of the federation. Its aim is to present the official and complete text of government regulations in one organized publication and provide a comprehensive reference for anyone who needs to know.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use cfr:
  • Versed and complies with OSHA, NFPA, CFR, ANSI, EPA, civilian and military safety regulatory requirements.
  • Standardized and updated all safety signs throughout the installation in accordance with CFR 1910.144 and CFR 1910.145.

5. Occupational Health

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use occupational health:
  • Perform duties as acting safety manager ensuring safety and occupational health programs are in compliance by following regulatory guidance and policies.
  • Prepare safety presentations/briefings, formal training materials, investigative reports, and safety and occupational health inspections and surveys.

6. Identify Hazards

Identifying hazard refers to judging and monitoring any item, situation, or action to predict if it could be harmful. The object/process in question can prove detrimental to the environment, wildlife, or human beings. When performing any task, one must consider its nature and identify if it could be harmful in any way. Experts usually perform the identification of hazards in the business or construction industry. In the business world, the identification of hazards works alongside risk management to mitigate company losses.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use identify hazards:
  • Reviewed unit safety and occupational - environmental health written programs, performed inspections to evaluate compliance, identify hazards.
  • Conducted safety audits with area supervisors to identify hazards and formulate methods to abate them.

Choose from 10+ customizable occupational health and safety specialist resume templates

Build a professional occupational health and safety specialist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your occupational health and safety specialist resume.

7. Respirators

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use respirators:
  • Research the proper respiratory protection necessary by analyzing and reviewing the industrial hygiene survey developed for the respirator user workplace.
  • Managed the facility respirator protection program, including proper selection and use, respiratory fit testing and regulatory compliance

8. Safety Program

Safety programs are a series of measures to protect employees from any mishaps and make the work environment safer. Safety programs include checklists, guidelines, and direct procedures that a specific area or department must follow. Safety programs take care of office space safety, maintenance and repairs, and identification of frauds as well.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use safety program:
  • Participate in safety performance improvements at newly acquired Miami, Florida facility; drive understanding of and enforce corporate safety program.
  • Prepare tend and cost analysis regarding the safety program to determine budgetary and funding shortfalls and overages recommending funding adjustments.

9. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures are a set of standardized procedures, that ensures minimal to no risk to people, resources, and the work environment. A company follows the step-by-step safety procedures as it they not only keep the customers and the employees safe, but also help in avoiding legal claims.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use safety procedures:
  • Develop implementing safety procedures/ instructions using regulations, letters of instruction, policy letters, and explosive safety site plans.
  • Conduct job safety analysis studies, develop written safety procedures and determine where protective clothing/equipment are needed.

10. Fire Prevention

Fire prevention skills are essential to investigate buildings to review that all local, state and federal fire regulations are followed. Apart from obtaining a certification from the NFPA, you should develop skills including the ability to communicate clearly, and an understanding of how fire prevention equipment and fire alarms work.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use fire prevention:
  • Facilitate/conducted the Annual Fire Prevention Week activities and training.
  • Coordinated safety/fire prevention training for medical center personnel.

11. Fall Protection

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use fall protection:
  • Fall Protection Program Manager conducting audits and survey of existing equipment.
  • Manage fall protection improvements committee.

12. Property Damage

Property damage is the destruction or damage of tangible personal property. Property damage can be caused by negligence, irresponsible handling of the property, willful destruction, or any other destructure act of nature.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use property damage:
  • Conducted formal investigations of mishaps of a recurring nature involving personal injury accidents, property damage, or occupational illnesses.
  • Perform investigations and analysis of each accident involving bodily injury, significant property damage or environmental damage throughout the university.

13. Occupational Illnesses

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use occupational illnesses:
  • Investigate and report mishaps involving personal injury accidents and cases of occupational illnesses.
  • Developed or implemented programs to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational illnesses.

14. Hazardous Materials

Any substance or good that is harmful to human health as well as the environment are called hazardous materials. Such materials must be handled carefully to avoid any mishaps. Harmful gases. chemicals, strong medicines or drugs, radioactive elements required for radiation purposes, a human blood sample that carries germs, all of these are considered hazardous materials.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use hazardous materials:
  • Conducted and documented exposure assessments for aircraft confined spaces, noise, highly hazardous materials, and respiratory protection selection.
  • Provided instructional support to all major subordinate commands in areas of safety and hazardous materials.

15. Safety Training

The guidance and skills taught to workers and employees of a company to carry out their duties safely and efficiently are referred to as safety training. The purpose of safety training is to inform workers about the potential and risks associated with this kind of work and to teach them ways to avoid such risks.

Here's how occupational health and safety specialists use safety training:
  • Assist in the Development and Implement of safety classes including Foremen Accelerated Safety Training, and Management Accelerated Safety Training.
  • Served as chief safety training officer for all installation personnel involved in toxic chemical agent and munition operations.
top-skills

What skills help Occupational Health And Safety Specialists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on occupational health and safety specialist resumes?

Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Ph.D.

Professor of Public Health, La Salle University

Ability to understand the needs of the communities served and direct community members to the services necessary to address those needs. Thus, students need the ability to conduct a needs assessment. In addition, being skilled in software such as Excel and statistical computer packages such as SPSS are skills that stand out. Further, having research experience opens doors to a variety of research positions, particularly at large Research 1 institutions like the University of Pennsylvania.

What soft skills should all occupational health and safety specialists possess?

Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Ph.D.

Professor of Public Health, La Salle University

Empathy. Public Health specialists need to communicate with community members in ways that show they deeply understand what people are experiencing, particularly when working with marginalized community members. In addition, and in relation to empathy, having good communication skills is very important. This includes public speaking skills and the ability to write well.

What hard/technical skills are most important for occupational health and safety specialists?

Jared Reno

Undergraduate Coordinator of The Industrial and Engineering Technology Department, Southeastern Louisiana University

The most important technical skills someone needs to know is:
-One, how to read blueprints and professionally drafted plans. Our industry partners have told us that print reading is a must for all internships and part-time and full-time positions. It is expected that a college graduate of a technical field knows how to read plans
-Basic computer skills using Spreadsheets and Document formats such as Microsoft Word and Excel or Google Docs and Google Sheets. This is crucial for working in any industry but especially Engineering or Industrial practices. These are used to make procedures for safety and production. They are used to evaluate data that has been collected. They are used for organizing information for customers, employees, and manufacturers. The more you know about these programs, the easier your work life will be.
-Basic project management skills are also crucial. Even if you are not the "project manager," you need to have some skills. You need to know how to prioritize more important tasks, you need to know how to manage your time wisely, you need to know how to communicate with multiple people or groups of people.

What occupational health and safety specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Mark HardyDr. Mark Hardy LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor and Head of the Division of Foot & Ankle Surgery and Biomechanics, Kent State University

My suggestion to someone considering taking a gap year - do so only if you need the extra time to confirm or define what you want to do or become. And, take after high school, not after obtaining your undergraduate degree.

What type of skills will young occupational health and safety specialists need?

Summer McGee Ph.D.Summer McGee Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Dean, MHA Program Director, University of New Haven

Graduates need to be agile and flexible to respond to the changing forces and trends in healthcare. They have to be professional problem solvers. Effective communication within and across teams is also crucial for success in complex, fast-moving healthcare organizations.

What technical skills for an occupational health and safety specialist stand out to employers?

Tracey SpinatoTracey Spinato LinkedIn profile

Assistant Director, Career Services in Public Health, University of New England, College of Graduate & Professional Studies

I hear a lot of employers speak to the need for professionals who are strong in both written and verbal communication. While communication is critical to all public health fields, it's particularly important when it comes to those working in epidemiology, research, and data--we need public health professionals who can take that information and communicate the findings in a way that is accessible and effective. Writing is also critical to securing grants, so as we see more funding channeled towards public health, those with strong writing skills will be a tremendous asset to any public health organization. There is also a need for professionals who understand health policy--the pandemic has highlighted the need for policies that advocate for public health infrastructure, community health, prevention services, environmental health, and emergency management. Other than that, it's important that public health professionals stay up to date on new technology, statistical software, and social media marketing and communication.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about occupational health and safety specialist

List of occupational health and safety specialist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an occupational health and safety specialist resume and required skills for an occupational health and safety specialist to have include:

  • Occupational Safety
  • Safety Issues
  • Trend Analysis
  • CFR
  • Occupational Health
  • Identify Hazards
  • Respirators
  • Safety Program
  • Safety Procedures
  • Fire Prevention
  • Fall Protection
  • Property Damage
  • Occupational Illnesses
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Safety Training
  • Safety Standards
  • Fire Protection
  • Construction Sites
  • Corrective Action
  • Education Programs
  • Safety Regulations
  • Health Hazards
  • OSH
  • EPA
  • Safety Policies
  • Risk Management
  • Asbestos
  • Risk Assessments
  • Safety Inspections
  • Senior Level Management
  • NFPA
  • EHS
  • ANSI
  • Training Programs
  • Ventilation
  • Hearing Conservation
  • Health Training
  • Technical Assistance
  • Traffic Safety
  • Related Training
  • Lockout Tagout

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs