Workplace Safety Experts help companies follow Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) regulations. These professionals conduct regular inspections and write detailed reports on a variety of topics related to workplace safety.
They also offer guidance to legal teams investigating accidents and analyzing alleged regulatory compliance breaches. When hiring a Workplace Safety Expert, consider their education, training, experience, and credentials. Contact Certified Safety Experts now!
The work of a safety expert requires a broad range of knowledge and skills. The qualifications you need to become a safety expert vary by industry and organization, but you can expect to develop practical competencies through education, certifications and on-the-job experience. Most employers also expect a strong understanding of workplace protocols and a proficiency in risk assessment. This can be nurtured through a degree program or through gaining relevant on-the-job experience in the industry, such as interning or entering an entry-level position with a company that offers specialized safety training programs.
A degree in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) can help you develop a foundation in the principles of OHS, including hazard identification, risk assessment and regulatory compliance. You may also wish to pursue a degree in one of the many scientific disciplines that support OHS, such as Biology, Chemistry or Industrial Hygiene, which can further enhance your technical expertise in identifying and mitigating risks.
Safety professionals can take the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) exam to receive a credential from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). This qualification is appropriate for novice safety professionals who apply their skills on a full-time basis and do not hold a degree. This certification can lead to a career as a Safety Specialist or a Safety Manager.
The Certified Safety Manager Certificate (CSM) demonstrates to your employer, potential employers and regulatory agencies that you have achieved the level of knowledge and skill expected of a safety manager. It is the first building block on a progression path of NASP certificates, which culminate in the Safety Professional Certificate (SPC).
This electrical engineering expert has extensive hands-on experience with industrial controls, automation, machinery and equipment. They have worked as a safety engineer, an electrical contractor and in manufacturing supervision. They have conducted forensic casework on matters related to electrical related fires, electric shocks and electrocutions. This expert is proficient in the National Electrical Code, OSHA Standards for General Industry and OSHA Standards for Construction. They have experience with industrial, commercial and residential electrical systems. This includes circuit design, electrical software programming and installation, machine control and industrial safety and safeguarding.
Experience
Workplace safety experts have years of experience in occupational health and safety, including risk assessment, regulatory compliance and risk management. They often provide expert witness testimony in legal cases involving workplace accidents and injury claims, evaluating safety protocols and assessing whether or not proper precautions were taken.
The type of expertise a safety specialist has can vary depending on their background and professional qualifications, but they typically have extensive knowledge of a range of industries and industry specific standards. For example, a safety professional may have significant experience in the food and beverage, manufacturing, transportation, or oil and gas industries.
In addition to industry experience, a safety expert should have a deep understanding of the regulatory environment and be well versed in OSHA standards, including those pertaining to general industrial, construction, hazardous materials, electrical safety, fires, equipment and machinery, and fall protection. They should also have extensive knowledge of forensic analysis and accident investigation techniques.
A seasoned professional will have the skills to communicate complex concepts clearly and understandably. They will be able to withstand cross-examination and can offer expert opinion in a way that judges and juries can easily understand.
Forensic Expertise
A safety expert should have a strong background in forensic analysis and accident investigation, as they will likely be called upon to testify in court in cases involving workplace injuries. They should be able to provide clear and detailed testimony on the facts of an accident, including the causative factors, as well as the impact on the victim.
The ideal forensic expert should have extensive experience in the fields of physics, engineering and mathematics, with a strong understanding of the underlying causes of accidents. They should be able to identify and explain the root cause of an incident, as well as the implications for the victims and their families. In addition, they should be able to conduct comprehensive investigations and develop comprehensive reports that will stand up to scrutiny. They should also be familiar with a wide range of topics, such as air quality monitoring, workplace noise levels, confined space hazards, and indoor environmental assessments.
Litigation Expertise
Workplace safety expert witnesses often have extensive experience with OSHA standards and protocols, forensic accident analysis, and industry best practices. Their background may include working in the occupational safety and health field as safety engineers, industrial hygienists, or safety consultants. Many also hold advanced degrees (PhDs) specific to different work environments and are Certified Safety Professionals (CSP). These professionals are frequently called upon to testify in court as expert witness for plaintiff or defense attorneys in personal injury, product liability, and insurance disputes involving workplace injuries.
This experienced forensic occupational health and safety professional has conducted numerous studies, assessments, investigations, analyses and evaluations for the purpose of litigation support or providing expert testimony in matters involving a variety of issues. He has worked with many law firms and corporations in his career and has been a subject matter expert in many cases.
He has conducted research into a wide range of issues including workplace injuries, toxicology, ergonomics, and confined space work. He has provided expert witness testimony in a number of cases, and his work is widely published.
With more than 25 years of experience, this expert has a diverse background in workplace safety. She offers a full range of services, including incident investigation and safety program development, as well as training and coaching for management systems and leadership. She is a US-DOL OSHA Approved Trainer, and has a Masters of Public Health and a Masters in Safety Sciences from IUP.
Using a thorough and collaborative process, this expert provides a detailed and knowledgeable analysis of the facts, identifying areas of concern and offering unbiased advice. He is a seasoned professional with the ability to effectively communicate and negotiate complex issues in a timely manner. He has been qualified as an expert in over 60 cases and has been deposed more than 100 times.
He has extensive experience in the analysis and failure of drilling equipment, rigs and piping. He has performed numerous analyses to determine the causes of drill bit, tubulars, downhole tools, rig structures, assemblies, components and overall drilling system failures. He has written hundreds of reports, been deposed several times and testified in court.
Credentials
In order to become an occupational safety and health (OSH) expert, a person must have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, he or she must be knowledgeable about OSHA regulations and other relevant government rules and policies. A degree in a field such as geology, environmental science or engineering is a good choice. English courses, especially those with an emphasis on writing, are also helpful in this career. Those who work in this field must be highly observant and able to clearly communicate their findings.
An OSH expert works to promote healthy and safe working environments in a variety of industries. He or she can assist an organization with creating and updating safety policies, implementing safety training programs and fostering a culture of safety in the workplace. Additionally, these professionals can help businesses prepare for and pass OSHA inspections.
Depending on the specific industry in which the expert works, he or she may need additional credentials to succeed in the job. For example, if the expert works in the food processing industry, he or she should be a USDA-certified food inspector. Likewise, those who work with hazardous materials should be certified and have a working knowledge of chemical hazards and their impacts on workers.
Another qualification that many employers look for in an occupational safety and health expert is a certification from the Society of Safety Professionals. This certification indicates that the individual has demonstrated a mastery of various areas in occupational safety and health, including accident investigation and root cause analysis, Aerial Lift and MEWP safety, construction safety, COVID-19 and pandemic management, worker training and safety compliance auditing.
Anyone can claim to be an OSHA expert, but it is important that you take the time to find one with the qualifications and experience necessary to help your business stay compliant with workplace safety and health standards. Look for someone who has earned the designation of Board Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and has years of experience managing, consulting and testifying as an expert in this field. Additionally, ask for references from previous clients to get a feel for their expertise and the quality of their work.