How has today’s safety professional evolved? According to safety and risk specialist Tricia Kagerer, change continues to characterize the safety and health field. Her analysis of the state of the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) field offers some interesting insights. We’ve excerpted and edited an article she authored on the subject, courtesy of the American Society of Safety Engineers.

Like the technology field, the EHS industry has not been left untouched by today’s rapidly changing business climate, and like technological experts, EHS specialists must continually update their skills, knowledge, and presentation abilities in order to stay competitive and maintain an edge during a time of reorganization and mergers.

What It Takes

Changes within OSHA over the past 15 years have significantly affected the profession. OSHA has changed dramatically and expanded its rules and regulations, placing a higher level of demand on employers and safety professionals alike. What was once considered a traditional staff function is now evolving into a key strategic position in both private and public organizations.

As a result, safety professionals find themselves with job titles that can have a variety of meanings. Because of the more comprehensive nature of the safety business, EHS professionals must have extensive knowledge in fields including safety, environment, industrial hygiene, project management, workers’ compensation, human resources, engineering, statistics, risk management, training, loss control, security and insurance. As if that weren’t enough, safety pros must communicate this knowledge at every level.

Although traditionally a safety manager might have been expected to hold an engineering degree, more and more contemporary professionals possess diverse backgrounds and experience. In many cases, human resource directors take on safety duties. Other fields that lead to EHS include claims adjusting, accident investigation, environmental health, insurance, and fire prevention.

As for the qualifications and experience required for the job, a study conducted by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) in 1999 attempted to determine what safety professionals do. The study showed that the industry has indeed changed – so much so that the CSP examination has been revised to reflect the new, broader focus of the industry. An earlier (1994) doctoral study had revealed that technical courses required to obtain a B.S. degree in safety were of little or no use to the candidates who obtained safety positions. This indicated a need for greater emphasis on management and other related skills. One can conclude that safety managers who achieve success can possess a diverse business background, managerial skills, and an ability to disseminate technical information. A degree in safety or a CSP designation does not necessarily guarantee a successful safety career. A safety manager who cannot communicate and relate to personnel is likely to fail.

Many Hats

Today’s safety practitioners must be flexible, knowledgeable, personable, and honest. A review of safety-related job requirements reveals a trend toward a broad base of knowledge and the ability to communicate with management. Technical requirements vary – some require specific knowledge, such as computer, laboratory, policy, construction, or environmental expertise; however, almost all of the listings reviewed indicated a need for knowledge of OSHA regulations and the ability to conduct training, give presentations, and act in an advisory capacity for management.

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