This article aims to highlight the path on how to become a Safety Consultant. It will cover the duties and the necessary qualifications needed to actualize this goal.
Who is a Safety Consultant
A safety consultant is an independent, well-trained, qualified, and designated person tasked to give advice regarding the safety of workers in any establishment. The safety consultant must be knowledgeable about safety issues in a wide variety of work environments.
Duties of a Safety Consultant
A consultant must be able to:
- Write safety cases, plans, and policies for projects.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure they comply with federal, state, and local safety codes.
- Develop and implement health and safety programs – Like Emergency Management, Work at height plan, hot work plan, etc.
- Provide safety training; may also be involved in developing training manuals.
- Conduct risk assessments and audits
- Develop technical reports
- Work independently to provide on-site Health and Safety coverage.
- Conduct audits, workplace assessments, and inspections as required.
- Analyze injury data and produce meaningful reports and recommendations.
- Develops, and implements action plans, policies, and procedures to ensure the provision of professional
management of workers’ compensation claims reducing the operational and human impact. - Maintain and update information and advice in relation to OSH policy, legislation, and guidelines and provide regular staff communication.
- Participates on relevant internal and external boards and committees.
Read Also: What is the “Difference between an HSE Officer and an HSE Manager”? Seek clarity here!!!
Specific Safety Consultant Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree or the equivalent in a related field required
- Safety-related designation preferred (CSP, ASP, CIH, CHST, etc)
- Relevant years of experience in the field of Safety and Loss Control preferred
- Any of these: – NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety; – British Safety Council Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health; – City & Guilds Level 5 (NVQ) Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice; – NCRQ Level 6 Diploma in Applied Health and Safety.
- IRCA certification like the ISO 45001.
- Member of relevant safety bodies.
- M.Sc in Health and Safety will be an added advantage.
With this wide range of knowledge, the Safety consultant will be well-versed in the nitty-gritty of Health and safety. At this level, he/she can consult for any organization and get good pay; and can equally act as a private trainer.
Remember, as a consultant you are independent. So you negotiate your rate before you proceed.
Read Also: What is the important difference between OSHA and NEBOSH
Conclusion
In summary, to become a Safety Consultant you need relevant certification which will allow you to deliver on the responsibilities above, and a good level of field experience.
To be specific in the qualification needed, consider the first five (5) on the list.
qualification highlighted above first. With those, you are good to go.
The final thing required of you is to get registered as a consultant. This will depend on the code of practice of your country. So find out the code of practice in your country.
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