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Safety representative vs safety assistant

The differences between safety representatives and safety assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a safety representative and a safety assistant. Additionally, a safety representative has an average salary of $50,717, which is higher than the $38,077 average annual salary of a safety assistant.

The top three skills for a safety representative include OSHA, safety procedures and corrective action. The most important skills for a safety assistant are patients, patient care, and patient safety.

Safety representative vs safety assistant overview

Safety RepresentativeSafety Assistant
Yearly salary$50,717$38,077
Hourly rate$24.38$18.31
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs15,53113,994
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a safety representative do?

A safety representative is responsible for reiterating safety protocols and regulations in the workplace to prevent potential hazards and operational delays. Safety representatives facilitate training and programs for the employees and inform them of any communications related to their safety and wellbeing. They also submit incident reports to the safety manager and provide recommendations to minimize risks and practice emergency drills. A safety representative must have excellent communication and organizational skills to create a safe environment for operations.

What does a safety assistant do?

Safety assistants help safety managers create and execute safety protocols. Typical duties include examining work areas, locating hazardous elements as well as keeping up with safety manuals and guidelines. Also, they interview injured employees, maintain first aid centers, and probe work safety incidents. Additionally, they direct regular audits with safety mentors to make certain that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) policies and procedures are followed. Primary job qualifications include knowledge in safety protocols, detail-oriented, organizational skills, teamwork, and time management. Another important requirement in this field is training in occupational hazards.

Safety representative vs safety assistant salary

Safety representatives and safety assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Safety RepresentativeSafety Assistant
Average salary$50,717$38,077
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $78,000Between $27,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYFairbanks, AK
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyConocoPhillipsCapco
Best paying industryEnergyManufacturing

Differences between safety representative and safety assistant education

There are a few differences between a safety representative and a safety assistant in terms of educational background:

Safety RepresentativeSafety Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Safety representative vs safety assistant demographics

Here are the differences between safety representatives' and safety assistants' demographics:

Safety RepresentativeSafety Assistant
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 77.5% Female, 22.5%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between safety representative and safety assistant duties and responsibilities

Safety representative example responsibilities.

  • Complete HAZMAT training and manage squadrons HAZMAT program.
  • Manage the development/execution of the EHS communication and program strategy for this diversify global technology and industrial leader.
  • Maintain the CPR kit program.
  • Administer first-aid and CPR when need.
  • Skil in hazard communication, LOTO, machine guarding, and contractor safety.
  • Insure permits and LOTO procedures are as followed for commissioning, pumps, motors, turbines.
  • Show more

Safety assistant example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and manage training records relate to MSHA compliance, ATF compliance and company-requir training.
  • Manage and facilitate extensive Safety/Security and HAZMAT training for all personnel.
  • Assist patients with daily hygiene, also assist nurses with patients periodically; distributing medication and direct observation
  • Work as one-to-one patient safety assistant worker providing supervision to patients who suffer from physical, mental and psychological conditions.
  • Organize CPR trainings and hearing tests for employees.
  • Train in the use of the Autopulse CPR machine.
  • Show more

Safety representative vs safety assistant skills

Common safety representative skills
  • OSHA, 13%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Corrective Action, 5%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Safety Training, 4%
  • Safety Audits, 4%
Common safety assistant skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Patient Care, 11%
  • Patient Safety, 10%
  • CPR, 8%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Safety Audits, 4%

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