Choosing the Right Health and Safety Course for You

The demand for occupational health and safety professionals is on the rise. This is partly due to a growing focus on employee well-being, including mental health. Shocking statistics from the UK reveal that over half of all long-term sick leaves are attributed to stress, depression, and anxiety.

Recognising this, organisations worldwide are prioritising employee safety and well-being. In this article, we'll guide you through choosing the right health and safety qualifications to kick-start your career, regardless of your experience level.

What is a health and safety qualification?

A health and safety qualification confirms your capability and knowledge in managing health and safety risks within a work setting. This type of qualification covers various aspects of health and safety management, such as legal responsibilities, identifying hazards, evaluating risks, implementing emergency procedures, and adopting best safety practices. It is particularly essential for professionals in industries susceptible to workplace hazards, such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation.

Why does occupational health and safety matter?

According to the HSE's statistics for 2022-2023, nearly 1.8 million employees in Great Britain suffer from illnesses caused by their work. Out of this figure, 875,000 individuals experience work-related stress, depression or anxiety.

In essence, organisational health and safety is essential for several reasons:

• Employee Protection

  Prioritising health and safety safeguard employees from workplace hazards, reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, or illnesses. 

• Legal Compliance

  Adhering to health and safety regulations ensures that organisations comply with legal requirements. Failure to meet these standards can result in legal liabilities, fines, or penalties.

• Maximise Productivity and Minimise Costs

  By prioritising employee well-being, you create a work environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated. This can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, and lower turnover rates.

• Good Reputation

  Demonstrating a commitment to health and safety cultivates a positive public image and strengthens the organisation's reputation. Stakeholders, including customers, investors, and business partners, prefer to associate with responsible and ethical companies.

• Regulatory Compliance

  Complying with health and safety regulations ensures that organisations operate ethically and responsibly. It also helps build trust and credibility with regulatory authorities.

What do health and safety professionals do?

Occupational health and safety professionals have obtained accreditation through proper procedures to practice a profession related to occupational health. Occupational health and safety professionals ensure safe and healthy workplace environments. They typically conduct risk assessments, develop and implement safety policies and procedures, train employees on safety protocols, investigate accidents or incidents, and monitor compliance with health and safety regulations.

Their ultimate goal is to minimise workplace injuries, illnesses, and accidents, thereby safeguarding the well-being of employees and protecting the organisation from legal liabilities and financial losses. Here are some typical job positions in health and safety, along with their specific roles and responsibilities:

Safety and Training Specialist

• Create safety training programmes based on job roles, risks, and regulatory requirements.
• Deliver safety induction programmes for new employees and ongoing training for all staff. This includes practical demonstrations of safety equipment, emergency procedures, and safe working practices.
• Stay informed about the latest health and safety regulations and ensure training programmes comply with legal and industry standards. 
• They work closely with management teams and safety committees to identify safety needs, report on training outcomes, and advise on safety improvements and compliance strategies.
• May be involved in investigating what happened, determining if additional training could prevent future incidents, and updating training programmes accordingly.

Health and Safety Manager

• Develop, implement, and manage the organisation's health and safety management system.
• Lead a team of health and safety professionals to provide guidance and support.
• Conduct strategic planning to improve health and safety performance and reduce ill health cases.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities and external stakeholders on health and safety matters.
• Review and update health and safety policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
• Analyse incident and accident data to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Coordinator or Specialist

• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and standards.
• Conduct environmental audits and assessments to identify compliance gaps.
• Develop and implement environmental management systems (EMS) to reduce environmental impact and promote environmental sustainability.
• Coordinate waste management, recycling, and pollution prevention initiatives.
• Monitor air and water quality, manual handling and proper disposal of hazardous materials, and chemical management programmes.
• Provide training to employees on environmental awareness and compliance requirements.

Safety Engineer

• Safety responsibilities include designing and implementing engineering controls to eliminate or minimise workplace hazards.
• Conduct safety reviews of engineering designs, processes, and equipment.
• Develop fire safety plans.
• Perform hazard analyses and risk assessments for new processes or equipment installations.
• Investigate equipment failures or accidents to determine root causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards.

These are just some of the most common occupational health and safety jobs. Other professions include Loss Control Consultant, Risk Manager, Hazard Control Specialist, Corporate Safety Director, occupational and environmental health nurses, occupational medicine physicians, and occupational psychologists.

Health and Safety Training Courses

If your organisation or you're an individual who wants to train in health and safety, the following are the most common core health and safety certificates that are also globally recognised. These online courses are accredited by either IOSH or NEBOSH. 

IOSH Managing Safely

IOSH Working Safely

NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety

NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate

Conclusion

The growing focus on employee well-being and safety creates a strong demand for qualified health and safety professionals. Investing in the right qualifications can position you for a rewarding career in this expanding field. Our guide has equipped you with the knowledge to choose the most suitable health and safety courses to kick-start your journey.

For further information on health and safety careers or the courses offered by e-Careers, you can visit our website or contact us directly. Reach out to us by calling us +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 or messaging us (ask@e-careers.com). 

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