You can do a degree or postgraduate diploma recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
Health and safety adviser
Alternative titles for this job include Health and safety officer
Health and safety advisers work to reduce accidents, injury and health problems in the workplace.
Average salary (a year)
£22,000 Starter
to£70,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
38 to 40 a week
You could work
between 8am and 6pm flexibly
How to become a health and safety adviser
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- training through a professional body
University
Apprenticeship
You can work towards this role through an advanced apprenticeship as a safety, health and environment technician.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
More information
Other routes
You could study for a health and safety qualification while you're working or to improve your chances of finding a trainee position.
These are likely to include health and safety in the workplace, regulations, risk assessment and basic accident investigation. Courses are usually available on a part-time basis or by distance learning.
You can take approved health and safety courses through:
More information
Professional and industry bodies
The Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register has a list of professional bodies offering membership options.
Further information
You can find more on careers in health and safety from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- persistence and determination
- knowledge of English language
- maths knowledge
- being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- developing safety policies and procedures
- advising and training staff on health and safety practices
- making regular inspections
- doing risk assessments
- investigating and recording accidents in the workplace
- working with relevant inspectors and trade unions
Working environment
You could work in government or in an NHS or private hospital.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into a management role.
You could also become a consultant and specialise in a particular area, like environmental safety. With further study you could move into research or lecturing.
Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Health and Safety Apprentice L3
- Wage : Competitive salary
- Location: Maidstone ME15 9QB
Apprentice Health and Safety Officer
- Wage : £269.00 - £298.00 Weekly
- Location: Birmingham B7 4AA
Courses In England
TUC in Occupational Health & Safety Diploma 2
- Provider: MANCHESTER COLLEGE (THE)
- Start date: 04 September 2019
- Location: Manchester
Health & Safety Stage 1 (TUC 3)
- Provider: Blackburn College
- Start date: 01 August 2019
- Location: BLACKBURN
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