Environmental Health and Safety Officer

Working Schedule
EHS Officers work full-time, occasionally requiring overtime during project deadlines. Travel within the area may be necessary for site evaluations and consultations.

Typical Duties

• Evaluate workplace environments and practices for safety compliance
• Assess workplace risks; identify hazards affecting employees such as fire hazards
• Investigate health complaints and accidents to determine causes and prevent future occurrences
• Analyze incident data for mishap, injury, and hazard trends
• Audit hazardous waste sites and participate in investigations
• Collect samples to analyze for contamination, hazards, toxins, etc.
• Develop/oversee programs for medical monitoring, emergency response, and employee rights
• Manage special programs like noise and ventilation surveys
• Manage inventories of hazardous materials and waste
• Apply for permits applicable to health and safety (i.e., environmental permits, fire safety permits, operating permits, etc.)
• Inspect emergency generators, conduct fire drills, and test elevator systems
• Suggest strategies to safeguard workers against hazardous work practices, processes, or materials
• Suspend activities that endanger worker health or safety
• Work with engineers or physicians to address hazardous conditions
• Prepare hazardous waste samples for transport or storage with appropriate treatment and labeling
• Cooperate with external inspections from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or similar agencies to find areas for improvement
• Follow up with inspection findings to address issues or violations

Additional Responsibilities

• Communicate applicable information to employees, managers, and contractors
• Apply codes, regulations, laws, and policies related to the health and safety of workers and to ensuring safe facilities and workplace environments
• Ensure proper maintenance of equipment, machinery, and facilities, including fire alarms and sprinklers, HVAC systems, and parking areas
• Provide safety training; demonstrate safety equipment use and wear of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Offer new employee safety orientation training
• Prepare environmental and safety reports based on assessments and audits
• Participate in sustainability initiatives and meetings
• Advocate for investment in energy-efficient technologies

Soft Skills

• Adaptability
• Analytical
• Collaboration
• Conflict resolution
• Critical thinking
• Decisiveness
• Deductive and inductive reasoning
• Detail-oriented
• Independent
• Integrity
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership
• Monitoring
• Negotiation skills
• Organized
• Patience
• Perceptiveness
• Persuasiveness
• Proactive mindset
• Problem-solving
• Risk assessment
• Safety-oriented
• Stress management
• Strong communication skills
• Time management

Technical Skills

• Ability to interpret and apply environmental and safety laws
• Basic understanding of mechanical systems for safety evaluations
• Experience with data analysis, statistical tools, environmental auditing, reporting, compliance and risk management software, project management software, and Geographic Information Systems
• Proficiency in incident investigation and root cause analysis tools
• Familiarity with industrial hygiene equipment and monitoring techniques
• Knowledge of environmental monitoring, sampling techniques, waste management, and hazardous material handling regulations
• Knowledge of workplace safety and health assessment techniques
• Skills in emergency response planning and management
• Skills in developing safety training and education programs

• Construction and infrastructure companies
• Corporate health and safety departments
• Environmental health consulting firms
• Government regulatory agencies
• Healthcare facilities and hospitals
• Industrial and manufacturing plants
• Public and private educational institutions
• Research and development organizations
• Waste management and recycling companies
• Workplace safety and compliance agencies

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) workers may work extended hours when addressing significant safety incidents or urgent health crises. The job may also require travel to diverse locations, sometimes for prolonged durations, which can affect their personal lives.

EHS workers sometimes face industry resistance or public concerns, requiring them to have strong communication skills. As advocates for workplace safety and environmental stewardship, they play a crucial role in promoting and implementing effective health and safety practices and policies. In addition, they must continuously update their knowledge to stay updated on changing regulations and new technologies.

Current trends in this field include the integration of smart technology and a shift towards renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. The incorporation of AI and machine learning is increasingly crucial for optimizing energy use and enhancing safety protocols.

Other tech trends include the use of electronic reporting systems, working with wearables like smartwatches, and the increase of robotics with cameras and sensors to work around hazardous environments.

These advancements are transforming EHS officers’ roles, because now they may have to manage these technologies while they advocate for sustainable, safe workplace practices. 

EHS Officers often show an interest in STEM subjects from an early age. They might have enjoyed activities like crafting models or participating in science fairs.

This early curiosity about how things work, coupled with a concern for environmental issues and the safety of others, may have played a role in guiding them toward a career in EHS.