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Online Education Guide

Guide to College Majors in Occupational Safety and Health

What is Occupational Safety and Health?

Occupational Safety and Health refers to the practice of observing, evaluating, and analyzing working environments to ensure that they are safe for employees. Every workplace, whether a factory, a kitchen, or a shop, has the potential for accidents to occur. The job of the Occupational Safety and Health specialist is to recognize, anticipate, and identify potential hazards so that the employer may make appropriate changes before accidents happen.

Potential workplace hazards may include flaws in the design of a building that could cause physical injury to employees, biological or chemical hazards due to substandard equipment, or on-the-job stress due to overworking and poor working conditions.

The mission of technicians in this line of work is to prevent harm to property, workers, the public, and the environment. The promotion of occupational health and safety is a hallmark of a society that names the security of the individual as a top priority.

Occupational health and safety specialists are responsible for implementing regulations that are applicable to all buildings, equipment and working practices. Working closely with organizations and agencies, occupational health specialists educate employers on healthier and safer working practices.

Many workers in this field are employed by governmental agencies. Jobs such as these require a four-year college degree. Other jobs in this field may be obtained with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science.

Career Education in Occupational Safety and Health

Undergraduate and graduate degree programs

With the prevalence of distance learning degree programs today, many institutions offer online versions of Occupational Safety and Health Programs. The credibility of an online degree will match that of the institution that offers the program. The prerequisites and admission guidelines will also be similar to on-campus educational models.

The distance learning Occupational Health program is designed for professionals who wish to enhance their skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating public strategies for improving disease prevention.

Online degree programs serve the needs of students who, because of geographic or time constraints, would not be able to enroll in an on-campus program. Coursework is conducted online under the supervision of a properly qualified educator. Students may be required to view videotapes and to participate in online discussions.

Certificate Programs
This program allows practitioners in the field to prepare for the national certification exam such as the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (CSP) exam. The course may also be of use to non-practitioners who want to learn relevant regulations, policies and acceptable practices. Often, employers will want to keep current with this information as a way of preventing unintentional violation of regulations.

Associate Degree Programs
The Associate Degree in Applied Science with an emphasis on Occupational Safety and Health qualifies graduates for a variety of jobs in the field. More often, however, this program is used as a springboard for higher level degrees.

The program will provide knowledge and basic experience in Health Education. The coursework will involve foundational science courses and hands-on training that will prepare students to enter the job market. The program is geared toward developing competencies, communication skills, and the working knowledge of appropriate equipment and sample analysis. Graduates will be fully qualified to enter this rapidly growing job market as a pre-service or in-service safety practitioner.

This program usually lasts two years and requires the completion of at least sixty-five credit hours. Associate degree program admission procedures generally require applicants to hold a high school diploma or GED, and to have completed with a C (2.0) minimum grade in lower level science courses and math competency through algebra.

Bachelor Degree Programs
A Bachelor of Science degree program is a four-year series of courses that usually requires 128 credit hours to be completed successfully.

This program involves a full comprehensive curriculum including foundational sciences courses, higher level specialist courses and usually an internship or other fieldwork.

Coursework in Bachelor of Science programs will be more involved and in-depth than an Associate's degree. Because graduates will have a more thorough knowledge of the subject, more job opportunities will be available.

Bachelor's degree programs produce competent and highly skilled individuals. To achieve this goal, the curricula are usually well rounded and comprehensive.

After the foundational science courses, such as biology, psychology, and social studies are passed successfully early in the program, students advance to more specialized classes.

Some of the skills learned in the higher level courses will involve:

• Developing writing skills
• Delivering oral presentations
• Learning health and social theory
• Learning computer technology
• Practicing management and leadership skills

To enact change on a professional level by improving working standards, health specialists must understand the intricacies of current dietary and health trends as well as any social factors that may play a part in health and safety issues.

Students will graduate from this program with a thorough understanding of the most urgent health concerns in society and the factors that cause and contribute to these hazards. With this knowledge comes the ability to implement change.

Those interested in a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health also have online Bachelor of Science degree programs to choose from. Distance learning programs are growing in number with advancing technology that allows a greater dispersion of knowledge and understanding.

Master Degree Programs
A Bachelor's degree will be required for any Master's level program. This undergraduate program includes as many as sixty credit hours of science, math, engineering and technology, plus approximately twenty more credits in communications, humanities and social sciences.

Coursework for this program will general include such specializations as:

• Occupational and environmental diseases,
• Exposure assessment,
• Toxicology,
• Epidemiology,
• Biostatistics,
• Industrial hygiene,
• Ergonomics, and
• Occupational health law

While Bachelor of Science degrees focus on coursework and in-class studies, papers, and presentations, the Master of Science provides the opportunity for students to gain field experience as industrial hygienists in training. Supervised research and interdisciplinary training prepares graduates for opportunities as a member of a team of specialists.

Those who possess a Master of Science degree will be able to:

• Recognize and identify agents and conditions that jeopardize the safety of employees, the general public, and the environment;
• Identify and quantify dangerous levels of exposure to chemicals, biological agents, and noise;
• Understand how to utilize instrumentation and assessment techniques of dangerous elements;
• Develop and implement strategies which work to control the elements that qualify and dangerous;
• Articulate the social trends that are implicit in current workplace hazards;
• Describe the many governmental agencies which govern and regulate occupational health and their varying functions;
• Comprehend the basics of neighboring fields just as occupational medicine, ergonomics, occupational nursing, and others;
• Collaborate with specialists in similar fields as part of a team with the common goal of developing strategies to improve occupational standards and preventing injury and illness

Ph.D. Programs
While the Master of Science degree prepares the student for a career in professional practice, a doctorate prepares the student for a career in research and academia. Generally, Ph.D. in Health and Safety are two-year programs and require the successful completion of a Master of Science program.

Colleges and Universities that offer degree programs in Occupational Safety and Health:

Columbia Southern University - Online Occupational Safety and Health Degrees
A.T. Still University - Occupational Medicine Degree

Careers in Occupational Safety and Health

What can you do with a College Degree in Occupational Safety and Health?

You may be surprised to know how many potential hazards exist in the average workplace. The first potential dangers that come to mind may involve machinery without proper safety guards, or industrial kitchens with substandard levels of cleanliness.

Listed below are just a few other potential dangers that are identified, quantified, analyzed and evaluated by those in the Occupational Health and Safety field:

• Poor equipment design that may cause accidents,
• Unhealthy exposure to high level noises,
• Low quality seating which may cause worker discomfort,
• Conditions which may cause unnecessary worker fatigue,
• Exposure to toxic fumes,
• Existence of explosive gas-air mixtures,
• Insufficient or poorly functioning ventilation systems, and
• Inappropriate lighting

Setting Standards for Safety
All businesses are subject to occasional evaluation by Health and Safety specialists. When an inspector evaluates a workplace, he or she must make a note of every detail. The resulting data is analyzed and the workplace is assigned a grade according to a system of rating.

Once this rating has been established, the employer is made aware of the potential danger for accident or disease, overexposure to chemicals, poor ventilation, or any other perceived dangers. That employer is then given an opportunity to remedy the situation. The employer must at this point change the working practices of the business, upgrade the equipment, or make any improvements that the inspector deems necessary. The Health and Safety specialist will monitor the progress of the working conditions to insure that proper steps are being taken.

Implementing, updating and enforcing policies on Occupational Health and Safety are serious matters. Therefore, many opportunities in the field may be found within governmental agencies.

Do you have what it takes?
Before embarking upon a career path as specialized as Occupational Safety and Health, you would be well advised to ask yourself if your interests and personality traits are right for a career in this field. Some important questions to ask are:

• Am I concerned about the safety of my workplace?
• Do I take pleasure in making sure that my surroundings are clean and secure?
• Am I interested in the general well being of others?
• Am I naturally capable of retaining large amounts of information?
• Do I observe my surroundings in great detail?
• Do I naturally possess good communications skills?
• Do I like to travel?

What are the benefits of a career in Occupational Safety and Health?
Graduates with college degrees in this specialization will be greeted with abundant career opportunities. Working environments may include positions in governmental agencies, service industries, insurance companies, and manufacturing industries. Many positions available will allow promotion to a managerial level.

What competencies will you possess once you are trained in Occupational Safety and Health?
The skills that you will acquire in this field of study depend on the degree path you choose. The industry has jobs available for graduates who hold an Associate's degree, but many more jobs require at least a Bachelor's degree.

Career advancement is a possibility throughout this field. All occupational health and safety specialists will be trained in, and must keep current with, all applicable laws and policies pertaining to public safety. This education comes from in-class coursework as well as on-the-job training.

With increasing career education and experience, promotion to a Health and Safety managerial position is possible. While industry and governmental positions will require varying levels of education, research and academic positions will often require Master's or Ph.D. level education.

Career Specializations in Occupational Health and Safety

Field work as a health inspector will put you in contact with a wide variety of working environments, from factories to industrial kitchens.

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians interact with many kinds of people. The Occupational Health Specialist must be flexible and should communicate effectively. Jobs will often require travel throughout a specified region. The working hours may be long and unpredictable.

Naturally, health inspectors regularly encounter unpleasant, stressful, loud, dirty, and potentially dangerous working environments. Employers will not always agree with the assessments of the inspector. Therefore, inspectors must be accurate and self-assured.

Employment Outlook

According to the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Health and Safety specialists and technicians held about 41,000 jobs in 2002, primarily in government agencies. State governments, and local governments employed a large percentage of these 41,000 jobs.

Other working environments in which an Occupational Health specialist may expect to find employment opportunities are:

• Manufacturing firms
• Hospitals
• Engineering services
• Colleges and universities
• Employment services
• Management consulting services
• Scientific and technical consulting services
• Electric power industries
• Scientific research
• Development services
• Architectural services
• Mining industries

More Career Opportunities for Occupational Safety and Health Majors

Industrial hygienist. These professionals use their experience in occupational safety and health to protect their communities. Industrial hygienists hunt for potential dangers in a variety of workplaces. They might uncover potential health hazards in the store room of a restaurant or a grocery store. Unlike government health officers, who enforce laws and issue fines, industrial hygienists work with business owners to prevent violations. They educate front line staff members and develop company policies to comply with stringent regulations. Their work impacts the bottom lines of successful companies by reducing liability and health care insurance costs, while maintaining high customer satisfaction.

Ergonomist. American businesses have discovered that modest investments in workplace ergonomics produce a major impact on the bottom line. Workers who feel comfortable can perform their tasks more efficiently and often remain with the same employer for significantly longer periods of time than the national average. The savings in health care and worker training boost the value of company shares and keep retail costs low. Professional ergonomists examine offices and factories for potential opportunities to increase the comfort and the safety of staff members. From simple solutions like ergonomic keyboards to radical changes in architecture and lighting, ergonomists anticipate the needs of a new generation of American workers.

Environmental protection officer. With rapid expansion of population into suburban and exurban communities, many local and regional agencies have bolstered their efforts to preserve their environmental integrity by hiring more protection officers. Whether working on federally funded cleanup programs or developing local conservation efforts, a new wave of protection officers helps towns and counties welcome new residents and businesses while enforcing existing regulations. Environmental protection officers lead the charge for responsible construction by shaping rules that dictate green space, water runoff, and waste disposal. They also assure residents that the quality of life of an existing community will not be ruined when developers come to town.

What is OSHA?

Most job opportunities within the Federal government are for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors. OSHA is a governmental body whose primary responsibility is to enforce U.S. Department of Labor regulations and policies on workplace safety. OSHA standards are protected by law. Violation of these standards by a business with a substandard environment will result in fines or forced closure.

What is NIOSH?

While OSHA is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Whereas OSHA is essentially a regulation-enforcing body, NIOSH provides private employers with the possibility of getting a health inspection and safety evaluation without the danger of being penalized. The NIOSH does not fine, but only assists in the dispersion of knowledge and understanding of governmental regulations.

As a precaution, many private companies employ their own occupational health specialist, or contract for the services of a non-governmental inspector. This ensures OSHA compliance before the OSHA inspector pays his or her visit.

Occupational Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the occupational opportunities in this field are expected to grow at a rate that is consistent with the national occupational average until 2012.

Since many opportunities in this field are in Federal, State, or local government (two out of every five positions in this field are governmental), the job security is considered to be above average.

Certification and Licensure

Though certification is optional in the field of Occupational Safety and Health, employers often use voluntary certifications as a way to objectively evaluate the talents of potential new hires. Boards and trade associations that issue voluntary certifications include:

• Board of Certified Safety Professionals
• American Board of Industrial Hygiene
• Council on Certification of Health, Environmental, and Safety

Explore Related Degree Programs

- Online Degrees in Occupational Safety & Health
- Online Degrees in Emergency Disaster Management
- Online Degrees in Health Care Management

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