Safety engineers design guidelines, equipment, and procedures to ensure the health and safety of industrial workers. They identify and solve potential problems, review equipment schematics, and conduct training courses. A bachelor’s degree in occupational health or engineering is required, and many regions require licensing exams. New engineers typically start as assistants and work unsupervised after proving their skills.
A safety engineer designs new guidelines, equipment, and procedures to preserve the health and safety of industrial workers. He or she may be hired by a factory, consulting firm, insurance company or government agency to monitor work activities and provide expert advice on how to identify and improve dangerous conditions. A safety engineer needs to have a thorough understanding of mechanical engineering principles, health and safety laws, and business administration to perform the job. Most professionals are required to hold university degrees and obtain a license or certification in their specialty.
Working in a large factory that uses heavy equipment can be noisy, hectic, dirty and dangerous. It is the safety engineer’s responsibility to minimize job hazards by identifying and solving potential problems before they occur. A professional visits the facility and speaks with workers to review safety concerns. He or she takes notes on dangerous procedures or machines to later create a detailed report for management.
After creating a report, the safety engineer starts thinking of ways to fix problems and prevent accidents. He or she may review equipment schematics and blueprints to correct design flaws or conduct a training course to help employees learn safer practices. The engineer may decide to adopt new worker health and quality control guidelines and schedule regular rounds of preventative maintenance to ensure machines are kept in good condition.
A safety engineer may be employed full-time by a factory to monitor activities or visit many sites as a consultant. Insurance companies hire safety engineers to provide business owners with advice on how to improve working conditions and lower policy rates. A few qualified safety engineers are hired by regional and federal government agencies to conduct regular walkthroughs of large facilities, ensuring they are in compliance with the law.
A bachelor’s degree in occupational health or engineering is required to find work as a safety engineer in most environments. Many government engineers hold a master’s degree or higher in industrial hygiene, and professionals who dedicate themselves to researching and designing new machines often have specialized training in mechanical engineering. Many regions and countries require security engineers to pass licensing exams before they can offer consulting services. Obtaining additional certification from a respected organization such as the American Society of Safety Engineers in the United States can be helpful in finding work.
New safety engineers typically start their careers as assistants to experienced workers in order to familiarize themselves with the job. Assistants learn to write reports and make official recommendations when necessary. New engineers start working unsupervised after proving their skills and showing dedication to their work.
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