TEXTOS TÈCNICO SEG. TRABALHO

8/3/2019 TEXTOS TCNICO SEG. TRABALHO

1/12

Program Management

Safety program management and administrationPersonal protective equipment

Four areas where personal protective equipment is a major factor in accident prevention are in the areas of head protection, face and eye protection, feet prote

ction, and hand protection. Hard hats are the rule and should be regularly inspected for damage or wear. A combination of safety glasses and facial shields maybe used for construction site activities like electrical work, welding, cutting,grinding, and nailing. Steel-toed shoes and boots are the rule when working around forklifts or around other heavy and rolling objects. Safety plated shoes canprevent sharp objects from penetrating the soles, and non-slip soles provide better grip on walking surfaces. Gloves should be appropriate to the task. To prevent concrete poisoning, non-porous rubber gloves must be used. Specific glove designs should be used for welding, whereas another non-conductive type is used for electrical work.

Research shows that personal protection equipment can drastically cut down on th

e occurrence of workplace injury and illness. Construction employees are frequently required to use jackhammers or similar equipment to break up solid mass materials like concrete. Eye protection is required to protect from flying chips. Foot protection (steel toed footwear) is required should the jackhammer skip onto the foot. To protect the ears from sound damage, ear mufflers or plugs should be used. A hard hat could also protect the user from dropped objects or flying debris. Insulating rubber gloves protect against electrical shock. Construction workers handle a variety of materials, many of them harmful in one way or another. The type of glove required depends on the type of materials handled.The CHST should be familiar with the various types of eye and face protection which may be used to protect against specific hazards peculiar to the type of taskperformed. Safety spectacles: These simple protective eyeglasses are constructed of metal o

r plastic with impact-resistant lenses. Side shields are available on some models. Goggles: These are tight-fitting eye protection devices which are designed to completely cover the eyes. Goggles provide protection from impact of flying objects, from dust and splashed chemicals. Goggles may be fitted over personal eyeglasses of the employee. Full-face welding shields: Vulcanized fiber or fiberglass face shields are fitted with a filtered lens. Designed to protect against intense radiant light, theyalso protect from flying debris produced during the welding, soldering, or brazing process.

Work gloves fall into four basic categories based on the type of materials used

in making the glove and the type of materials they are designed to handle. Gloves made of leather, canvas, or metal meshes are designed for general-purposematerial handling. Most will protect from splinters or from sharp edges. Metalmesh gloves can protect from puncture but should never be used near electrical lines. Coated fabric gloves are often used for work like brick-laying. They may offer some protection from slippage and from chemicals but are generally considered light duty and not protective in extreme situations. Coated gloves are made from fabric and an applied coating of rubber, vinyl, or other coating may be applied. Insulating rubber gloves are specifically designed to protect against electric shock. Chemical and liquid-resistant gloves are made according to the materials they are designed to handle. Design of these gloves may vary. Some may cover the hands,

wrists, and beyond the elbows.

The chief purpose of insulating gloves is to protect the worker against shock. H


2/12

owever, most insulating gloves have the limitation of not being able to protectagainst other hazards like punctures. In most cases, rubber insulating gloves are covered with a second pair of durable leather gloves which can protect from pinching and punctures or similar work problems. Dual layers of bulky leather gloves covering thinner rubber insulating gloves do not allow for great manual dexterity. This is a chief disadvantage when working in situations which required great attention to small parts and details. Insulating gloves need periodic testing

to insure that they have maintained protective integrity. Gloves must be testedwithin a six month period and the test procedures must be documented.

ANSI standard Z89.1

ANSI is the acronym for the American National Standards Institute. ANSI standardZ89.1 is concerned with the specifications of Hard Hats required on construction sites to protect workers from dropped or falling objects. ANSI Z89.1 requiresa Class C helmet or hard hat on construction sites to protect against falling orflying objects. Class C hard hats or helmets do not protect against electricalshock. ANSI standard Z89.2 requires a Class B hard hat to protect against high voltage, electric shock or electrical burns. Class B hard hats are required where

ver workers may be exposed to high voltage electrical lines. OSHA standards do not legally require the use of hard hats in areas where workers are not exposed to hazards from falling or flying objects or electrical shocks. However, employers may mandate use of hard hats though such mandates may require negotiation withunion representatives.Class E, Class G, and Class C helmetsThere are two helmet types specifically designed to protect the wearer from electric shock: Class E and Class G. A third type, Class C, may be worn by utility workers but offers no protection against electrical shock; its primary purpose isto protect from head injury due to bumping or dropped objects. Class E: This type of helmet offers the greatest protection against electrical shock from high voltage conductors. Class E (think E, for electrical) helmets areproof tested at 20,000 volts. Class E Helmets are tested for being able to sust

ain an amount of force, their ability to repel electrical shock without leakage,and the capacity to function without burn-through. Class G: This type of helmet will protect against electrical shock but not of avoltage exceeding 2,200 volts, applied for 60 seconds. Class G helmets were formerly known as Class A helmets until the more recent change. Think G, for general use. Class C Helmets afford very little or no electrical shock protection. They protect the head from bumps, jolts, and dropped objects.

EPA/OSHA Type A protective clothing

The EPA/OSHA developed modified chart of Levels of Protection can be consulted as an easy reference guide for emergency situations. EPA/OSHA Level A protectivesuits and boots provide the highest level of protection under the extremes of hazardous conditions. Level A Skin Protection: Consists of a fully-encapsulating, chemical-resistant suit, inner gloves, combined with chemical-resistant safety boots. Level A Respiratory Protection: Consists of a full-face piece, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or an air pressure demand supplied air respirator withescape SCBA. Level A Protections: This highest level of protection is designed for high concentrations of atmospheric vapors, gases, particulates, or caustic blister splashagents.

EPA/OSHA Type B protective clothing

The EPA/OSHA-developed modified chart of Levels of Protection can be consulted as an easy reference guide for emergency situations. Level B represents the secon


3/12

d highest level of protection of skin and the respiratory system. Level B Skin Protection: Consists of a chemical-resistance jacket and overalls,a hooded one or two piece chemical splash suit, disposable chemical resistance one-piece suit, inner and outer gloves, chemical resistant safety boots and hardhat. Level B Respiratory Protection: A pressure-demand, full-face SCBA or pressure-demand air system with escape SCBA.

Level B Protections: Level B affords a high level of respiratory protection butless skin protection than Level A. IDLH, less than 19.5 percent oxygen.EPA/OSHA Type C protective clothing

The EPA/OSHA-developed modified chart of Levels of Protection can be consulted as an easy reference guide for emergency situations. Level C represents the thirdhighest level of protection of skin and the respiratory system. Level C Skin Protection: Level C skin protections consist of chemical-resistantclothing (overalls and long-sleeved jacket), a hood, a disposable chemical splash suit, inner and outer gloves, safety boots (chemical resistant) and a hard hat. Level C Respiratory Protection: A canister equipped respirator which filters par

ticles from the air. This must have a full face-piece and a filter specific to the particulates of the air. Level C Protections: Level C Protections are designed to protect the wearer fromairborne contaminants, chemical splashes which are not IDLH, and from skin contact with mild to moderate hazardous effect.

EPA/OSHA Type D protective clothing

The EPA/OSHA-developed modified chart of Levels of Protection can be consulted as an easy reference guide for emergency situations. Level D represents the fourth and last highest level of protection of skin and the respiratory system. Level D Skin Protection: Consists of overalls, safety boots, safety glasses andhardhat.

Level D Respiratory Protection: This level of protection provides no breathing protection or apparatus. It provides minimal skin protection. Hands, wrists, neckand face are exposed. Level D Overall Protections: With minimal skin protection and no protection fromairborne hazardous particulates, this level of protection is permitted in an environment where there are no known chemical hazards. Level D clothing protectioncan be used in areas where the air is safe for breathing without filters or respirators.

Respiratory protection

Respiratory protection programs are required of employers within any site whereairborne materials (including gases) may pose a threat to worker health. When aworker enters the respiratory program of an employer, the worker is subject to amedical evaluation (by a licensed health care practitioner or LLHCP) of his fitness to use and wear respirators. Respirators are designed for different purposes. An atmosphere-supplying respirator refers to a means of supplying the user with an independent air supply usually contained in a tank or storage device. These devices may be large or small; some of these may have long hoses while othershave the air supply incorporated into a suit-type arrangement. These types are designed for areas when it is impractical or dangerous to use ambient air. An air-purifying respirator is one that uses ambient air and filters it through a canister or cartridge to remove toxic elements. Air purifying respirators capture particles, dusts, mists, and fumes contained in the air. This type of respirator is useful when air contamination is not of such volume and extent as to overwhelm

the filtering cartridge. A gas vapor air purifying respirator must be used to protect against gases and vapors.


4/12

www.osha.org

What protection does personal equipment offer?

Employees who work directly with electricity should usethe personal protective equipment required for the jobs they

perform. This equipment may include rubber insulatinggloves, hoods, sleeves, matting, blankets, line hose, andindustrial protective helmets designed to reduce electricshock hazard. All help reduce the risk of electrical accidents.

What role do tools play?

Appropriate and properly maintained tools help protectworkers against electric hazards. Its important to maintaintools regularly because it prevents them from deterioratingand becoming dangerous. Check each tool before using it. Ifyou find a defect, immediately remove it from service and tag

it so no one will use it until it has been repaired or replaced.When using a tool to handle energized conductors, checkto make sure it is designed and constructed to withstand thevoltages and stresses to which it has been exposed.

What special training do employees need?

All employees should be trained to be thoroughly familiarwith the safety procedures for their particular jobs. Moreover,good judgment and common sense are integral to preventingelectrical accidents. When working on electrical equipment,for example, some basic procedures to follow are to: deenergize the equipment,

use lockout and tag procedures to ensure that theequipment remains deenergized, use insulating protective equipment, and maintain a safe distance from energized parts.

What is the value of a safety and health program in controlling electrical hazards?

Every good safety and health program provides measuresto control electrical hazards. The measures suggested in thisbooklet should be helpful in establishing such a program.The responsibility for this program should be delegated tosomeone with a complete knowledge of electricity, electricalwork practices, and the appropriate OSHA standards forinstallation and performance.

Everyone has the right to work in a safe environment.Safety and health add value to your business and yourworkplace. Through cooperative efforts, employers andemployees can learn to identify and eliminate or controlelectrical hazards.

How Can OSHA Help Me?

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs, including assistance about safety and health programs, state plans, workplace consultations, volu


5/12

ntaryprotection programs, strategic partnerships, training andeducation, and more.

How does safety and health programmanagement assistance help employersand employees?

Working in a safe and healthful environment can stimulateinnovation and creativity and result in increased performanceand higher productivity.To assist employers and employees in developing effectivesafety and health programs, OSHA published recommendedSafety and Health Program Management Guidelines(Federal Register 54(18):39043916, January 26, 1989).These voluntary guidelines can be applied to all worksitescovered by OSHA.The guidelines identify four general elements that arecritical to the development of a successful safety and health

management system: management leadership and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and safety and health training.The guidelines recommend specific actions under eachof these general elements to achieve an effective safety andhealth program. The Federal Register notice is availableonline at www.osha.gov.

What are state plans?

State plans are OSHA-approved job safety and healthprograms operated by individual states or territories insteadof Federal OSHA. The Occupational Safety and HealthAct of 1970 (OSH Act) encourages states to develop andoperate their own job safety and health plans and permitsstate enforcement of OSHA standards if the state has anapproved plan. Once OSHA approves a state plan, it funds50 percent of the programs operating costs. State plansmust provide standards and enforcement programs, aswell as voluntary compliance activities, that are at least aseffective as those of Federal OSHA.There are 26 state plans: 23 cover both private andpublic (state and local government) employment, and 3(Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) cover only thepublic sector. For more information on state plans, see thelisting at the end of this publication, or visit OSHAs websiteat www.osha.gov.

How can consultation assistancehelp employers?

In addition to helping employers identify and correctspecific hazards, OSHAs consultation service provides free,onsite assistance in developing and implementing effectiveworkplace safety and health management systems that

emphasize the prevention of worker injuries and illnesses.Comprehensive consultation assistance provided byOSHA includes a hazard survey of the worksite and an


6/12

appraisal of all aspects of the employers existing safety andhealth management system. In addition, the service offersassistance to employers in developing and implementing aneffective safety and health management system. Employersalso may receive training and education services, as well aslimited assistance away from the worksite.

Who can get consultation assistanceand what does it cost?

Consultation assistance is available to small employers(with fewer than 250 employees at a fixed site and no morethan 500 corporatewide) who want help in establishingand maintaining a safe and healthful workplace.Funded largely by OSHA, the service is provided atno cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smalleremployers with more hazardous operations, the consultationservice is delivered by state governments employingprofessional safety and health consultants. No penalties

are proposed or citations issued for hazards identified bythe consultant. The employers only obligation is to correct allidentified serious hazards within the agreed-upon correctiontime frame.

Can OSHA assure privacy to an employerwho asks for consultation assistance?

OSHA provides consultation assistance to the employerwith the assurance that his or her name and firm and anyinformation about the workplace will not be routinelyreported to OSHA enforcement staff.Can an employer be cited for violations

after receiving consultation assistance?If an employer fails to eliminate or control a serious hazardwithin the agreed-upon time frame, the consultation projectmanager must refer the situation to the OSHA enforcementoffice for appropriate action. This is a rare occurrence,however, because employers request the service for theexpressed purpose of identifying and fixing hazards intheir workplaces.

Does OSHA provide any incentivesfor seeking consultation assistance?

Yes. Under the consultation program, certain exemplaryemployers may request participation in OSHAs Safetyand Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).Eligibility for participation in SHARP includes, but is notlimited to, receiving a full-service, comprehensive consultationvisit, correcting all identified hazards, and developing aneffective safety and health management system.Employers accepted into SHARP may receive anexemption from programmed inspections (not complaintor accident investigation inspections) for a period of 1 yearinitially, or 2 years upon renewal. For more informationconcerning consultation assistance, see the consultationdirectory at the end of this publication, contact your regional

or area OSHA office, or visit OSHAs website at www.osha.gov.

What is the Voluntary Protection Program?


7/12

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs) represent onepart of OSHAs effort to extend worker protection beyondthe minimum required by OSHA standards. VPP alongwith onsite consultation services, full-service area offices,and OSHAs Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP) represents a cooperative approach which, when coupled

with an effective enforcement program, expands workerprotection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act.

How does the Voluntary ProtectionProgram work?

There are three levels of VPPs: Star, Merit, andDemonstration. All are designed to do the following: recognize employers who have successfully developedand implemented effective and comprehensive safetyand health management systems;encourage these employers to continuously improvetheir safety and health management systems;

motivate other employers to achieve excellent safetyand health results in the same outstanding way; and establish a relationship between employers, employees,and OSHA that is based on cooperation.

How does VPP help employersand employees?VPP participation can mean the following: reduced numbers of worker fatalities, injuries, andillnesses; lost-workday case rates generally 50 percent below

industry averages; lower workers compensation and other injury- andillness-related costs; improved employee motivation to work safely, leadingto a better quality of life at work; positive community recognition and interaction; further improvement and revitalization of already goodsafety and health programs; and a positive relationship with OSHA.

How does OSHA monitor VPP sites?

OSHA reviews an employers VPP application andconducts a VPP onsite evaluation to verify that the safetyand health management systems described are operatingeffectively at the site. OSHA conducts onsite evaluations on aregular basis, annually for participants at the Demonstrationlevel, every 18 months for Merit, and every 3 to 5 years forStar. Each February, all participants must send a copy oftheir most recent annual evaluation to their OSHA regionaloffice. This evaluation must include the worksites recordof injuries and illnesses for the past year.

Can OSHA inspect an employerwho is participating in the VPP?

Sites participating in VPP are not scheduled for regular,programmed inspections. OSHA handles any employee


8/12

complaints, serious accidents, or significant chemicalreleases that may occur at VPP sites according to routineenforcement procedures.Additional information on VPP is available from OSHAnational, regional, and area offices, listed at the end ofthis booklet. Also, see Outreach on OSHAs website atwww.osha.gov.

How can a partnership with OSHAimprove worker safety and health?

OSHA has learned firsthand that voluntary, cooperativepartnerships with employers, employees, and unions canbe a useful alternative to traditional enforcement and aneffective way to reduce worker deaths, injuries, andillnesses. This is especially true when a partnership leadsto the development and implementation of comprehensiveworkplace safety and health management system.

What is OSHAs Strategic PartnershipProgram (OSPP)?

OSHA Strategic Partnerships are alliances among labor,management, and government to foster improvements inworkplace safety and health. These partnerships arevoluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA,employers, employee representatives, and others suchas trade unions, trade and professional associations,universities, and other government agencies. OSPPs are thenewest member of OSHAs family of cooperative programs.

What do OSPPs do?

These partnerships encourage, assist, and recognizethe efforts of the partners to eliminate serious workplacehazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health.

Whereas OSHAs Consultation Program and VPP entailone-on-one relationships between OSHA and individualworksites, most strategic partnerships seek to have abroader impact by building cooperative relationships withgroups of employers and employees.

Are there different kinds of OSPPs?

There are two major types: comprehensive, which focus on establishingcomprehensive safety and health managementsystems at partnering worksites; and limited, which help identify and eliminate hazardsassociated with worker deaths, injuries, and illnesses,or have goals other than establishing comprehensiveworksite safety and health programs.

OSHA is interested in creating new OSPPs at thenational, regional, and local levels. OSHA also has found

limited partnerships to be valuable. Limited partnershipsmight address the elimination or control of a specificindustry hazard.


9/12

What are the benefits of participationin the OSPP?

Like VPP, OSPP can mean the following: fewer worker fatalities, injuries, and illnesses; lower workers compensation and other injury- and

illness-related costs; improved employee motivation to work safely, leadingto a better quality of life at work and enhancedproductivity; positive community recognition and interaction; development of or improvement in safety and healthmanagement systems; and positive interaction with OSHA.For more information about this program, contact yournearest OSHA office or go to the agency website atwww.osha.gov.

Does OSHA have occupational safety andhealth training for employers and employees?

Yes. The OSHA Training Institute in Des Plaines, IL,provides basic and advanced training and education in safetyand health for federal and state compliance officers, stateconsultants, other federal agency personnel, and privatesectoremployers, employees, and their representatives.Institute courses cover diverse safety and health topicsincluding electrical hazards, machine guarding, personalprotective equipment, ventilation, and ergonomics. Thefacility includes classrooms, laboratories, a library, andan audiovisual unit. The laboratories contain various

demonstrations and equipment, such as power presses,woodworking and welding shops, a complete industrialventilation unit, and a sound demonstration laboratory.More than 57 courses dealing with subjects such as safetyand health in the construction industry and methods ofcompliance with OSHA standards are available forpersonnel in the private sector.In addition, OSHAs 73 area offices are full-servicecenters offering a variety of informational services suchas personnel for speaking engagements, publications,audiovisual aids on workplace hazards, and technical advice.For more information on grants, training, and education,write: OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training andEducation, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018;call (847) 2974810; or see Outreach on OSHAs websiteat www.osha.gov.

Does OSHA give money to organizationsfor training and education?

OSHA awards grants through its Susan Harwood TrainingGrant Program to nonprofit organizations to provide safetyand health training and education to employers and workersin the workplace. The grants focus on programs that willeducate workers and employers in small business (fewer

than 250 employees), training workers and employers aboutnew OSHA standards or about high-risk activities orhazards. Grants are awarded for 1 year and may be


10/12

renewed for an additional 12 months depending on whetherthe grantee has performed satisfactorily.OSHA expects each organization awarded a grant todevelop a training and/or education program that addressesa safety and health topic named by OSHA, recruit workersand employers for the training, and conduct the training.Grantees are also expected to follow up with people who

have been trained to find out what changes were made toreduce the hazards in their workplaces as a result of thetraining.Each year OSHA has a national competition that isannounced in the Federal Register and on the Internet atwww.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html.If you do not have access to the Internet, you can contact theOSHA Office of Training and Education, 1555 Times Drive,Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, (847) 2974810, for moreinformation.

Does OSHA have other assistancematerials available?

OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available onits website at www.osha.gov. These include e-Tools suchas Expert Advisors and Electronic Compliance AssistanceTools (e-CATs), Technical Links, regulations, directives,publications, videos, and other information for employersand employees. OSHAs software programs and complianceassistance tools walk you through challenging safety andhealth issues and common problems to find the best solutionsfor your workplace. OSHAs comprehensive publicationsprogram includes more than 100 titles to help you

understand OSHA requirements and programs.OSHAs CD-ROM includes standards, interpretations,directives, and more and can be purchased on CD-ROMfrom the U.S. Government Printing Office. To order, write tothe Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government PrintingOffice, Washington, DC 20402, or phone (202) 5121800.Specify OSHA Regulations, Documents and TechnicalInformation on CD-ROM (ORDT), GPO Order No.S/N 729-013-00000-5.

What do I do in case of an emergency?Or if I need to file a complaint?

To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek OSHAadvice, assistance, or products, call (800) 321OSHA orcontact your nearest OSHA regional or area office listed atthe end of this publication. The teletypewriter (TTY) numberis (877) 8895627.You can also file a complaint online and obtain moreinformation on OSHA federal and state programs by visitingOSHAs website at www.osha.gov.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TECHNICIAN CAREER INFORMATION AND JOB DESCRIPTIONProtecting people, the environment, and equipment from unnecessary harm is the p

rimary objective of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians.They are also called ergonomists, industrial hygienists, occupational health andsafety inspectors, and environmental protection officers. They assist instituti


11/12

ons in creating safer and cleaner processes.Work environment data collection for later review by occupational health and safety specialists is the primary task of occupational health and safety technicians. They also work to develop and analyze worker safety programs under the direction of specialists.Occupational health and safety specialists analyze the data collected by technicians and develop programs in order to protect the work and equipment from harm.

They consider several factors, including biohazards, ergonomic concerns (dealingwith equipment design and user-comfort), chemical agents, and physical hazards.They inspect organizations for compliance with safety regulations and enforce the company policies and relevant laws.Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians perform different roles based on the institutions and health risks with which they work. The first step usually is to look for dangerous situations and processes. They find hazardsby using empirical data, personal experience, and reported information. Dangersassociated with equipment, products, work environment, and processes used are all recorded and assessed. The potential harms and known causes of the dangers areevaluated and predictions are made with regards to potential for injury and harm and the implications of those injuries on the company and staff. Specialists a

nd technicians then work to create solutions to the danger areas and implement programs to fix them. They educate everyone in the company from the management down about safety concerns and rules. Following the implementation of their plan,they follow up with the institution to see how the dangers are being resolved, and may create a new plan if the hazards are not being properly taken care of.Work equipmentincluding fork lifts, work scaffolding, and glass barriersand is examined by occupational health and safety specialists do ensure that it complies with proper safety protocol. They ensure that workers required to wear protectiveeyewear, hardhats, and masks are doing so, and ensure that hazardous matter stored on site is stored properly. They examine ventilation systems to ensure thatworkers are not exposed to harmful combinations of gases or poisonous fumes. Toperform these detailed observations, specialists may interview workers about their working practices and work environment. They also inspect tools and systems w

ith hopes to work toward worker safety.Using testing equipment, specialists and technicians determine levels of dangerous materials like radiation levels and noxious gases. They collect samples of air, dust, and liquids and test them later to get an accurate measurement.Following a work site accident, occupational health and safety specialists studyand identify why the accident might have occurred and come up with changes thatcan be made to fix the problem. They may also supervise the injured workers rehabilitation to ensure the worker makes a smooth transition back to work.Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians often communicate with companies management teams and scientists in order to develop, implement, and improve safety programs.Specialists often prepare detailed reports that include test results, observations, determined safety concerns, and plans to resolve those concerns. Employee manuals, safety procedures, and agency or company policies may be developed by specialists who become experts in a certain industry.OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TECHNICIAN TRAINING AND JOB QUALIFICATIONSThe Federal government and many other employers require candidates to hold a bachelors degree in some safety-related field. Additional prerequisites include a written examination and work experience in the occupational health and safety field.Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians receive hands-on training, classroom instruction, or both with regards to relevant laws and examination practices. Responsibility, interpersonal communication skills, and paying close attention to detail are essential characteristics for any potential occupational health and safety professional. High school class work that will be helpful

includes the life sciences, physics, and English.Both the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) and the Board of CertifiedSafety Professionals (BCSP) offer some kind of certification to professionals in


12/12

this industry. Professionals may earn the title of Certified Safety Professional (CSP) from the BCSP; the titles Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist (CAIH) are conferred by the ABIH. The titleOccupational Health and Safety Technologists (OHST) is awarded by the Council onCertification of Health, Environmental, and Safety Technologists, which organization is a combination of the BCSP and ABIH. CAIH, CSP, and CIH conditions are more rigorous than those to earn the OHST title. Certification is voluntary but e

ncouraged by a lot of organizations and agencies. Education, experience, and passage of an examination are required to become certified initially; one must takecontinuing education courses in order to maintain certification.Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians employed by the Federal government can advance with satisfactory performance to a predetermined leveljust below management. Competition for management positions is competitive as fewer openings are available. Employment opportunities and advancement potentialin other levels of government and with private organizations often reflect thosein the Federal government.Advanced degrees related to the safety industry make a candidate more competitive for management positions as well as opening doors to become a researcher or college or university instructor.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TECHNICIAN JOB AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIESJob growth through 2012 will depend on the shift towards smaller government andthe desire for safer work environments, but should be about the same as the average for all types of occupations. Companies that focus on self-enforcement of policies and regulations will employ a number of occupational health and safety professionals; employment with other organizations in the private sector will be determined by the relative growth of those industries and relevant safety concerns. As current professionals leave the industry, replacements will be needed to fill their positions.Government agencies employ nearly 40 percent of all occupational health and safety professionals; thus, this industry is affected less by fluctuations in the national economy than are other industries.Historical Earnings Information

The highest 10 percent were paid more than $71,450 in 2002 while the middle halfearned between $58,230 and $34,280. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than$25,080. The median for all specialists and technicians was $46,010.