Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors

17-2111.00

Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Investigate industrial accidents, injuries, or occupational diseases to determine causes and preventive measures.
• Conduct research to evaluate safety levels for products.
• Evaluate product designs for safety.
• Conduct or coordinate worker training in areas such as safety laws and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and use of safety equipment.
• Maintain and apply knowledge of current policies, regulations, and industrial processes.
• Recommend procedures for detection, prevention, and elimination of physical, chemical, or other product hazards.
• Report or review findings from accident investigations, facilities inspections, or environmental testing.
• Evaluate potential health hazards or damage that could occur from product misuse.
• Evaluate adequacy of actions taken to correct health inspection violations.
• Interpret safety regulations for others interested in industrial safety, such as safety engineers, labor representatives, and safety inspectors.
• Review plans and specifications for construction of new machinery or equipment to determine whether all safety requirements have been met.
• Participate in preparation of product usage and precautionary label instructions.
• Interview employers and employees to obtain information about work environments and workplace incidents.
• Provide expert testimony in litigation cases.
• Review employee safety programs to determine their adequacy.
• Conduct or direct testing of air quality, noise, temperature, or radiation levels to verify compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to organizations on how to handle health-related problems and make needed changes.
• Develop industry standards of product safety.
• Maintain liaisons with outside organizations, such as fire departments, mutual aid societies, and rescue teams, so that emergency responses can be facilitated.
• Plan and conduct industrial hygiene research.
• Compile, analyze, and interpret statistical data related to occupational illnesses and accidents.
• Write and revise safety regulations and codes.
• Confer with medical professionals to assess health risks and to develop ways to manage health issues and concerns.
• Design and build safety equipment.
• Check floors of plants to ensure that they are strong enough to support heavy machinery.
• Inspect facilities, machinery, or safety equipment to identify and correct potential hazards, and to ensure safety regulation compliance.
• Install safety devices on machinery or direct device installation.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Availability prediction modeling software; Biomechanical imaging software; Biomechanical injury risk analysis software; Computational fluid dynamics CFD software; Design Safety Engineering Designsafe; Energy expenditure prediction EEP software; Failure mode and effects analysis FMEA software; Failure mode effects and criticality analysis FMECA software; Failure modes analysis software; Failure reporting analysis and corrective action FRACAS software; Fault tree analysis FTA software; Functional hazard analysis software; Geomechanical stress analysis software; Hazard assessment software; Human modeling software; Industrial job assessment software; Isograph FaultTree; Isograph Markov; Maintainability prediction software; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health LaModel; Predictive toxicology software; Quantitative analysis software; Reliability analysis software; Reliability centered maintenance RCM software; ReliaSoft Weibull++ 6; ReliaSoft XFMEA; Root cause analysis software; Static strength prediction software; Survey software; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥; Vibration analysis software; Virtual interaction simulator software
• Compliance software - Compliance software; Fire safety inspection and testing software; Hazard communication software; Inspection management system; Material safety data sheet MSDS software; Product safety documentation software; Safety integrity level SIL software; Safety, health, and environmental management software
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Computer aided design CAD software; Electronic design automation EDA software; Mathsoft Mathcad; Roof support design software
• Computer based training software - Computer based training software; Hazardous waste operations and emergency response standard HAZWOPER training software
• Customer relationship management CRM software - Customer relationship management CRM software
• Data base user interface and query software - Anthropometric databases; Incident tracking software; Microsoft Access 🔥; Reliability information software
• Development environment software - Eclipse IDE 🔥; Microsoft Visual Basic 🔥; National Instruments LabVIEW; Software libraries
• Document management software - Records management software
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - SAP software 🔥
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• License management software - Permit administration software
• Map creation software - Geological mapping software
• Object or component oriented development software - C++ 🔥; Python 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Linux 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint ; Presentation software
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥; Microsoft SharePoint 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Video creation and editing software - Multimedia video analysis software
• Web platform development software - Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Investigate safety of work environment.
• Research product safety.
• Teach safety standards or environmental compliance methods.
• Update technical knowledge.
• Advise others on health and safety issues.
• Maintain operational records or records systems.
• Document design or operational test results.
• Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information.
• Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
• Prepare procedural documents.
• Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
• Test facilities for environmental hazards.
• Develop safety standards, policies, or procedures.
• Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Research human performance or health factors related to engineering or design activities.
• Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
• Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.
• Design industrial equipment.
• Fabricate devices or components.
• Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
• Monitor work environment to ensure safety or adherence to specifications.
• Inspect safety equipment to ensure proper functioning.
• Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
• Install safety or support equipment.
• Direct installation activities.