Skip to content
Back to Career Guides
Health and Safety Officer
Health and safety

How to become a Health and Safety Officer

What does a Health and Safety Officer do?

Looking for job security? How about a job in security?

Health and Safety Officers are responsible for preventing accidents and injuries in the workplace, and ensuring that all staff are provided with a safe and secure environment to work in.

They can specialise in one area, such as fire safety or the safe use of particular machinery, or provide advice and guidance on all issues relating to health and safety. However, no matter what their expertise, they always have employees’ welfare and well-being at heart.

Typical responsibilities for a Health and Safety Officer include:

  • Performing risk assessments
  • Carrying out site inspections
  • Investigating incidents in the workplace and writing-up accident reports
  • Enforcing health and safety laws and regulations
  • Providing in-house training sessions to ensure all staff keep up-to-date with company safety policies
  • Advise businesses on how to deal with the handling and disposal of hazardous substances
  • Providing guidance on safety equipment and the safe installation of new machinery

Is a career as a Health and Safety Officer right for me?

To become a Health and Safety Officer, confidence and conviction are absolutely essential. You may need to make some unpopular decisions in order to provide a better working environment, so the ability to cope under pressure and do what’s best for the business should always take precedence.

A penchant for high-visibility clothing and a passion for hard hats is not a necessity, but may help you stand out from the crowd.

Other necessary attributes for a Health and Safety Officer include:

  • Excellent problem solving skills
  • Tact
  • Attention to detail
  • A good level of physical fitness
  • An in-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations and best practices

People also search for

First aid (8,220)
Risk assessment (9,920)

Career progression and salary expectations for a Health and Safety Officer

1

Health and Safety Officer

| Up to £30,000

Get qualified as a Health and Safety Officer

Many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety, environmental health, or a related field. NEBOSH certifications can also significantly enhance your credentials and chances of getting hired, particularly if you don't have any previous health and safety experience, and/or you have a degree in an unrelated subject. Ongoing health and safety training which covers risk assessment, legislation, and management, is also a prerequisite for aspiring and current Health and Safety Officers.

Recommended Health and safety courses

  • NEBOSH National General Certificate - Live Online

    British Safety Council
    Occupational Health and Safety. Essential for anyone wanting a successful career in health and safety.
    • 441 enquiries
    • Online
    • 2 weeks · Full-time
    • Professional certification
    • Certificate(s) included
    • Tutor support
    The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is designed to equip supervisors, managers and employee representatives with a thorough knowledge of the essentials of health and safety. Many people study for the certificate as one of the first steps towa …
    £1,674

  • Health and Safety Level 3

    Intellelearn
    Fully accredited Level 3 course through IIRSM and CPD with instant certificate. Plus Free Course Bundle worth £100.00
    • 697 students
    • Online
    • 4 hours · Self-paced
    • 8 CPD points
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Highly rated
    Are you looking to take your career to the next level with a fully recognised Health and Safety qualification? Are you a Manager or Business Owner needing the knowledge to keep your business safe? This course is rated 5 Stars on Yotpo. This Health and Safety Level 3 course incor …
    Save 47%
    £45 £85

What's it like to be a Health and Safety Officer?

"Have you been injured in a workplace accident that wasn’t your fault? If so, you’ve probably not got a very good Health and Safety Officer. That’s what I love about my job. There’s an enormous amount of responsibility on your shoulders to ensure everyone is kept safe, and making sure all incidents are kept to a minimum. It can literally be a case of life and death, that’s how serious the job is. You go above and beyond for your colleagues, and that’s where the real satisfaction comes from. I love what I do."

Health and Safety Officer jobs

All Health and Safety Officer jobs
Need Advice? Ask our virtual career advisor