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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

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

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

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, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can do an advanced apprenticeship as a safety, health and environment technician.

It takes about 24 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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.

Topics you're likely to cover on the course include health and safety in the workplace, regulations, risk assessment and basic accident investigation. Courses are usually available on a part-time basis or online.

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.

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

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • persistence and determination
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • maths knowledge
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

  • develop safety policies and procedures
  • advise and train staff on health and safety practices
  • make regular inspections
  • do risk assessments
  • investigate and record accidents in the workplace
  • work with relevant inspectors and trade unions

Working environment

You could work in an office, on a construction site or in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into a safety management role.

You could also become a consultant and specialise in a particular area like environmental, construction or food safety. With further study you could move into research, training or lecturing.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Health and Safety Apprentice

  • Wage: £18,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Eastfield, Scarborough

Safety, Health and Environment Technician apprenticeship

  • Wage: £24,856.00 Annually
  • Location: London Energy Ltd EcoPark, Advent Way, London

Courses In England

NOCN L2 DIP IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (TRADE UNION)

  • Provider: TEC PARTNERSHIP
  • Start date: 05 September 2024
  • Location: Hull

NEBOSH L3 General Cert Health & Safety

  • Provider: BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 January 2025
  • Location: Bridgwater

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