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Industrial Health & Safety Engineer

Overview and Key Facts

female plant manager and inspector monitoring production process on site
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$109,660
Job Growth
Job Growth
4.40%
(US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
24,900

What Do They Do?

An industrial health and safety engineer could...

 
closeup shot of chemical storage labels on drums
Make sure that chemicals are stored safely in a manufacturing plant.
engineers inspecting machinery
Inspect machinery and pipes to make sure they can withstand everyday wear and tear.
emergency shut off switch
Recommend that additional emergency shutoff switches be installed to stop an assembly line.
engineers with protective gear
Check that employees are following safety regulations, including wearing safety gear.
 
closeup shot of chemical storage labels on drums engineers inspecting machinery emergency shut off switch engineers with protective gear

Overview Listen to this section

Think of all the jobs in the world that involve machinery, chemicals, toxins, radiation, loud noise, or travel to places above or below Earth's surface—all of these jobs carry an element of risk to the workers. Industrial health and safety engineers work to minimize this risk. They inspect work sites and help workers and companies understand and comply with safety laws. They use their knowledge of mechanical processes, chemistry, and human psychology and performance to anticipate hazardous conditions. Protecting workers requires excellent communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEvn_UUaKGE

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Industrial Health & Safety Engineer?


  1. Reading Comprehension: ?
  2. Critical Thinking: ?
  3. Writing: ?
  4. Speaking: ?
  5. Active Listening: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Industrial Health & Safety Engineer might do:
  • Investigate industrial accidents, injuries, or occupational diseases to determine causes and preventive measures.
  • Conduct research to evaluate safety levels for products.
  • Evaluate product designs for safety.
  • Conduct or coordinate worker training in areas such as safety laws and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and use of safety equipment.
  • Maintain and apply knowledge of current policies, regulations, and industrial processes.
  • Recommend procedures for detection, prevention, and elimination of physical, chemical, or other product hazards.
  • Report or review findings from accident investigations, facilities inspections, or environmental testing.
  • Evaluate potential health hazards or damage that could occur from product misuse.
  • Evaluate adequacy of actions taken to correct health inspection violations.
  • Interpret safety regulations for others interested in industrial safety, such as safety engineers, labor representatives, and safety inspectors.
  • Review plans and specifications for construction of new machinery or equipment to determine whether all safety requirements have been met.
  • Participate in preparation of product usage and precautionary label instructions.
  • Interview employers and employees to obtain information about work environments and workplace incidents.
  • Provide expert testimony in litigation cases.
  • Review employee safety programs to determine their adequacy.
  • Conduct or direct testing of air quality, noise, temperature, or radiation levels to verify compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Provide technical advice and guidance to organizations on how to handle health-related problems and make needed changes.
  • Develop industry standards of product safety.
  • Maintain liaisons with outside organizations, such as fire departments, mutual aid societies, and rescue teams, so that emergency responses can be facilitated.
  • Plan and conduct industrial hygiene research.
  • Compile, analyze, and interpret statistical data related to occupational illnesses and accidents.
  • Write and revise safety regulations and codes.
  • Confer with medical professionals to assess health risks and to develop ways to manage health issues and concerns.
  • Inspect facilities, machinery, or safety equipment to identify and correct potential hazards, and to ensure safety regulation compliance.
  • Install safety devices on machinery or direct device installation.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

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Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Industrial Health & Safety Engineer Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Industrial Health & Safety Engineer jobs (4.40%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming an Industrial Health & Safety Engineer

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

You generally need a bachelor's degree in science or engineering to become an industrial health and safety engineer. It usually takes a minimum of four years to get this formal training. Some employers prefer to hire graduates with special degrees in safety management or occupational safety and health. Others look for people who have a master's degree or some work experience in a related field. Undergraduate courses should include behavioral, medical, and social sciences. A list of colleges offering degrees in occupational safety and health is available from the American Society of Safety Engineers. Many companies provide additional training for their employees. Industrial health and safety engineers continue to study new developments in their field throughout their careers.

In some cases, engineers need to be licensed by the state in which they work. They generally need a degree from an approved engineering college, about four years of work experience as an engineer, and a passing grade on a state examination before being licensed as professional engineers.

Companies That Hire Industrial Health & Safety Engineers

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Day in the Life: Environmental Health Specialist
I love the diversity of my job. There's lots of different tasks in order to keep the campus community safe. We have anywhere from lake sampling to food safety to pool inspections to recreational camps. We assess the risks and make changes if need be to keep the campus safe. 
- Jeffery Steele, Environmental Health Specialist

Nature of the Work

Industrial health and safety engineers are responsible for keeping people free from danger, risk, or injury in the workplace. They develop safety programs to minimize losses due to injuries and property damage. They try to eliminate unsafe practices and conditions in industrial plants, mines, and stores, as well as on construction sites and throughout transportation systems.

The duties of industrial health and safety engineers vary, depending on where they work. Engineers employed in large manufacturing plants often develop broad safety programs. They study the buildings, equipment, procedures, and records of accidents in their plant, and point out safety hazards. They may suggest ways to fix unsafe structures or recommend changes in the layout of the plant. Sometimes they draw up plans for the regular maintenance of machinery or teach safe work habits to managers and workers.

Work Environment

Industrial health and safety engineers spend much of their time reviewing and inspecting on-site safety conditions and investigating accidents. They also have an office in which they analyze data and write reports. They may have to do some traveling to work sites, conferences, and seminars. Industrial health and safety engineers generally work 40 hours per week. In many cases, longer hours are necessary. Manufacturing plants may require some shift work. Sometimes, industrial health and safety engineers have to answer unexpected emergency calls. There may be some danger involved in their work, but safety precautions minimize this danger.

More Information

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