Health and safety adviser

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• training through a professional body

University

You can do a degree or postgraduate diploma recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health .

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You can do an advanced apprenticeship as a safety, health and environment technician.

It takes about 24 months to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

OtherRoutes

You could study for a health and safety qualification while you're working or to improve your chances of finding a trainee position.

Topics you're likely to cover on the course include health and safety in the workplace, regulations, risk assessment and basic accident investigation. Courses are usually available on a part-time basis or online.

You can take approved health and safety courses through:

• NEBOSH
• British Safety Council

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• persistence and determination
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• knowledge of public safety and security
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• maths knowledge
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• to be flexible and open to change
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of English language
• active listening skills
• administration skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Health and safety advisers work to reduce accidents, injury and health problems in the workplace.

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

• develop safety policies and procedures
• advise and train staff on health and safety practices
• make regular inspections
• do risk assessments
• investigate and record accidents in the workplace
• work with relevant inspectors and trade unions

Location : You could work in an office, on a construction site or in an NHS or private hospital.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Uniform : You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm flexibly

Career Path:

With experience, you could move into a safety management role.

You could also become a consultant and specialise in a particular area like environmental, construction or food safety. With further study you could move into research, training or lecturing.