Occupation Details
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists. Implement and conduct evaluation of programs designed to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$40,660.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$64,270.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$74,860.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
1,170
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
1,360
+19 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
108
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Aerosol meters
- Aerosol photometers
- Air compressors
- Air flow calibrators
- Air quality dataloggers
- Airflow indicators
- Anemometers
- Carbon monoxide sensors
- Cascade impactors
- Combustible gas detectors
- Cyclone samplers
- Data loggers
- Diffusive air samplers
- Digital cameras
- Digital video cameras
- Dry-gas meters
- Dust collectors
- Electrobalances
- Electrochemical gas monitors
- Electronic pump calibrators
- Electrostatic precipitators
- Flame ionization detectors FID
- Flow hoods
- Gas chromatographs GC
- Gas detector tubes
- Gilibrators
- Grab samplers
- Half-face respirators
- Handheld calculators
- Heat stress monitors
Technology
- Database software
- Email software
- Graphics software
- Industrial Scientific iNET
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
- Presentation software
- QuestSuite Professional
- Remedy Interactive iMitigate
- SAP business and customer relations management software
- Spreadsheet software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- collect samples for testing
- communicate technical information
- prepare safety reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- explain complex mathematical information
- understand engineering data or reports
- analyze effectiveness of safety systems or procedures
- evaluate engineering data
- evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
- test air quality, noise, temperature, or radiation
- use hazardous materials information
- use pollution control techniques
- use scientific research methodology
- follow safe waste disposal procedures
- use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
- use technical regulations for engineering problems
- use knowledge of materials testing procedures
- record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.
- Prepare or calibrate equipment used to collect or analyze samples.
- Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.
- Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.
- Prepare or review specifications or orders for the purchase of safety equipment, ensuring that proper features are present and that items conform to health and safety standards.
- Recommend corrective measures to be applied based on results of environmental contaminant analyses.
- Conduct worker studies to determine whether specific instances of disease or illness are job-related.
- Verify availability or monitor use of safety equipment, such as hearing protection or respirators.
- Review records or reports concerning laboratory results, staffing, floor plans, fire inspections, or sanitation to gather information for the development or enforcement of safety activities.
- Help direct rescue or firefighting operations in the event of a fire or an explosion.
- Evaluate situations or make determinations when a worker has refused to work on the grounds that danger or potential harm exists.
- Inspect fire suppression systems or portable fire systems to ensure proper working order.
- Train workers in safety procedures related to green jobs, such as the use of fall protection devices or maintenance of proper ventilation during wind turbine construction.
- Plan emergency response drills.
- Prepare documents to be used in legal proceedings, testifying in such proceedings when necessary.
- Provide consultation to organizations or agencies on the workplace application of safety principles, practices, or techniques.
- Educate the public about health issues or enforce health legislation to prevent disease, to promote health, or to help people understand health protection procedures and regulations.
- Test or balance newly installed HVAC systems to determine whether indoor air quality standards are met.
- Examine credentials, licenses, or permits to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
- Conduct interviews to obtain information or evidence regarding communicable diseases or violations of health or sanitation regulations.
- Collect data related to ecological or human health risks at brownfield sites.
- Maintain logbooks of daily activities, including areas visited or activities performed.
- Collect data regarding potential hazards from new equipment or products linked to green practices.
- Confer with schools, state authorities, or community groups to develop health standards or programs.
- Perform tests to identify any potential hazards related to recycled products used at green building sites.
- Examine practices at green building sites to determine whether adherence to green building standards alters risks to workers.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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