What does a safety inspector do?
A safety inspector is in charge of performing inspections to ensure that workplaces comply with the company or government's safety standards and regulations. Their responsibilities include inspecting tools and equipment, reviewing documents and specifications, assessing the workforce performances and conditions, observing facilities, and ensuring that employees have protective gear and safety measure knowledge. Moreover, a safety inspector utilizes the findings of their observation to recommend methods that will help workplaces maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone. They may also investigate workplace incidents to keep them from happening again.
Safety inspector responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real safety inspector resumes:
- Assist with ergonomics assessments, assist in managing HAZMAT and chemical storage programs, and evaluate fire prevention plans.
- Complete workshop and laboratory equipment safety for all university buildings for compliance with OSHA and other appropriate regulations.
- Investigate and document incidents using accurate and industry relate terminology to protect against lawsuits and to provide OSHA with additional information.
- Upgrade and assist with the maintenance of the facility MSDS system, in particular the raw material MSDS's.
- Detail record keeping of JSAs, tool, ladder and PPE inspections.
- Participate in new equipment planning and installation team activities to include PSM processes documentation and validation i.e.
Safety inspector skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Safety Inspectors are proficient in OSHA, Safety Procedures, and Safety Inspections. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to use technology, Detail oriented, and Physical stamina.
We break down the percentage of Safety Inspectors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- OSHA, 13%
Investigated and documented incidents using accurate and industry related terminology to protect against lawsuits and to provide OSHA with additional information.
- Safety Procedures, 7%
Followed prescribed loading and safety procedures, calculated load restraints and secured cargo with appropriate devices and equipment.
- Safety Inspections, 6%
Perform electrical safety inspections on all shipboard electrical and electronic equipment ensuring all Navy electrical regulations are followed.
- Fire Protection, 5%
Provided the primary first aid and fire protection for the site.
- Safety Standards, 5%
Worked in accident prevention, including inspecting safety conditions and providing information on safety standards and techniques.
- Contractor Safety, 4%
Coordinated with the contractor safety management personnel, discussed concerns and regulation safety requirements during weekly safety meeting with project contractors.
Most safety inspectors use their skills in "osha," "safety procedures," and "safety inspections" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential safety inspector responsibilities here:
Ability to use technology. The most essential soft skill for a safety inspector to carry out their responsibilities is ability to use technology. This skill is important for the role because "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to use advanced technology." Additionally, a safety inspector resume shows how their duties depend on ability to use technology: "ensured safety and health requirements are adhered to; and incident investigations are completed with documentation. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling safety inspector duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians need to understand and follow safety standards and complex government regulations." According to a safety inspector resume, here's how safety inspectors can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "perform fire and safety inspections and detailed worker's compensation accident investigations. "
Physical stamina. safety inspectors are also known for physical stamina, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to safety inspector responsibilities, because "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to stand for long periods and be able to travel regularly." A safety inspector resume example shows how physical stamina is used in the workplace: "general care for elderly patients emotional and physical needs. "
Communication skills. A big part of what safety inspectors do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to safety inspector responsibilities because "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to communicate safety instructions and concerns to employees and managers." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical safety inspector tasks: "maintained communication with the construction manager and other inspection staff to ensure environmental & safety compliance was being maintained. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a safety inspector to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what safety inspectors relies on this skill, since "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to solve problems in order to design and implement workplace processes and procedures that help protect workers from hazardous conditions." How this skill relates to safety inspector duties can be seen in an example from a safety inspector resume snippet: "marked obstacles and resolved safety compliance issues. "
The three companies that hire the most safety inspectors are:
- APi Group9 safety inspectors jobs
- International Fire Protection6 safety inspectors jobs
- QualTek4 safety inspectors jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable safety inspector resume templates
Build a professional safety inspector 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 safety inspector resume.
Compare different safety inspectors
Safety inspector vs. Environmental health specialist
An Environmental Health Specialist is responsible for determining the existence of possible health hazards and taking measures to prevent or corect them. They monitor health and safety conditions in resedential, industrial, commercial, and recreational settings.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, safety inspector responsibilities require skills like "safety procedures," "contractor safety," "epa," and "cfr." Meanwhile a typical environmental health specialist has skills in areas such as "environmental health," "public health," "risk assessments," and "regulatory agencies." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Environmental health specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $62,998. On the other hand, safety inspectors are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $55,853.The education levels that environmental health specialists earn slightly differ from safety inspectors. In particular, environmental health specialists are 7.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a safety inspector. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Safety inspector vs. Health specialist
A health specialist is primarily responsible for the health and welfare care of patients in a community or medical facility. They are also responsible for providing consultations, conducting assessments and examinations, providing prescriptions, and recommending care methods. A health specialist may also diagnose and treat ailments and injuries, coordinate with other health experts, and discuss conditions with patients and their families. Furthermore, a health specialist may participate in public discussions to raise awareness of health issues and lifestyles.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real safety inspector resumes. While safety inspector responsibilities can utilize skills like "safety procedures," "safety inspections," "fire protection," and "safety standards," health specialists use skills like "patients," "health education," "public health," and "data collection."
On average, health specialists earn a lower salary than safety inspectors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, health specialists earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $56,603. Whereas safety inspectors have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $55,853.In general, health specialists achieve higher levels of education than safety inspectors. They're 10.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for safety inspectors in the next 3-5 years?
Linsay Hale
Professional Standards Director/Interim Training Division Director, IADLEST Member - International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training
Safety inspector vs. Public health internship
A public health internship provides students with a great learning opportunity to put into practice those educational principles and skills learned in the classroom. They will gain a better understanding and appreciation for the duties and responsibilities of full-time professionals in public health. This exposure will provide students with leadership skills and professional development learning opportunities. In addition, students have an opportunity to contribute to various health-related agencies and organizations. The internship location should be at a primary public health agency whose work reflects the best in the industry.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from safety inspector resumes include skills like "safety procedures," "fire protection," "safety standards," and "contractor safety," whereas a public health internship is more likely to list skills in "environmental health," "patients," "public health," and "powerpoint. "
When it comes to education, public health interns tend to earn higher degree levels compared to safety inspectors. In fact, they're 9.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Safety inspector vs. Health & safety officer
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.
Types of safety inspector
Updated January 8, 2025
