What's Your Opinion: If you could begin your career over again, would you choose occupational safety and health?

First: Safety chose me - not the other way around. Second: There are rewarding aspects to being a Safety Manager - and I'm fairly certain the circumstances involved can be vastly different from one company to another - but: Third and Last: No. I would not choose OSH as a career.

One cannot truly maintain the desired ethical momentum to keep a safety program at a high level in a manufacturing facility. Too many times I have seen upper management brush away a near miss, a blocked door, etc. Safety is NOT their primary focus.

Due to the total lack of respect, appreciation, and influence I said no. Beyond this we are fighting human nature, human beings are natural born risk takers, and find it even easier to take risk with the lives of others. I have always said that if you show me a company with a strong safety culture, and I will show you a company that has had a catastrophic event, or maybe even multiple events.

I would most definitely do it again. Lots of victories in over 40 years. The negatives have just been opportunities in disguise. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

H+S is (too) often frustrating and negative. Moreover, the results over more often foggy than clearly visible. Yet, I believe improving H&S is a value in itself (idealist argument) and in the long run good for business (economic argument).

No, n ot as a company safety directer. As a consultan less polatics.

Safety chose me as well, but I would go into OSH again. I like being in the field AND in the office. I actually like researching the regulations and the challenge of building rapport with the employees working in the plants.

This is a field that have a great amount of opportunities for growth and leadership positions. I currently enjoy my safety assistant job and I am looking forward to get certified.

Yes, but not with any federal agency and I say that because if you cannot appeal to their wallet; then results will be political rather than pro--active.

Yes I would pick safety as a career path. It has been a rewarding and challenging choice that continues to grow and grow.

Safety chose me, but I would not change that. Sure, it is frustrating fighting complacency and competing against profits/enterprise goals for support. But when an employee's spouse approached me at a company event many years ago and shook my hand, and thanked me for what I do to make it possible for her husband and the father of their children to be home intact every day after work, I realized that it was an important task that needs to get done. That simple gesture has inspired me ever since...its all about our humanity.

I would have done it sooner

no, I wouldn't. too many layoffs as the role isn't imperative nor indispensable. would have gone into physical therapy with my own practice

In a heartbeat, I would choose this line of work again!

Occupational Health and Safety is the part of foundation of every career. There are things that the job specific does not tell you yet one is still responsible for all those things. One will come to know when things have gone wrong.

EH&S can personally be a rewarding field if you are allowed to implement your ideas for a safer workplace and have support from the top. But more often than not, I find upper management still placing production above safety, even after they say safety is the most important aspect.

I don't know if I could ever encourage anyone new to the safety profession to stay in it or get in it. I have worked for those places that consistently tout safety as an advertising tool. I have seen senior managers promote their "game" just to get ahead and totally ruin good safety people before they got started. I can go on forever. Yes, I would get back into safety long enough to get through Law School and make a fortune off the companies I have worked for. Unless you are ready to give up your integrity and values you will never make it to the top in the safety field. I know there are exceptions, but very few. Advice: don't do it.

There is no more rewarding occupation than getting workers home safely to their families at night

I got into this profession from the ground up, literally. I started as a production employee interested in making a change in with my company. Little did I know how that commitment would become a passion that I still possess after 32 years. But I can only say that yes, I would choose this career all over again because I have been blessed to see its effect from both sides of the proverbial fence. This is my calling!

Yes, I like a challenge and while safety is my second career (though I worked safety throughout) after 20+ years in the military I wish I would have gotten into safety sooner after retiring. I have always been a strong proponent of safety and have promoted safety first mentality. I enjoy all aspects and the challenge that comes with improving the safety culture within an organization and keeping my employees safe! Excellent people skills are a must in dealing with stubborn employees!

I have worked in construction and maintenance for thirty years. When I first started as a IBEW Electrician safety was basically non existent. Working on energized circuits was a requirement to keep you job. Safety has come along way since then, however still has a long way to go. Safety is considered an inconvenience in most places of work, but a insurance policy for business also. You need a commitment to safety at the executive level or it is a losing battle. Unfortunately to many businesses and industries do not realize the commitment till it is too late. People die and OSHA ask why! The death of an employee is just the tip of the iceberg when it happens. Safety is important and as tough as it is to be in safety due to fears of losing your job I would still do it and am glad I was able to move into this field.

Safety found me as I was chosen to be a coordinator when the GM plant changed plant managers. But throughout my career in manufacturing, remediation and now construction, I have been in more responsible leadership roles and the certification I've received helped me to advance. Yes, it can be frustrating, but also rewarding when your employees know you're looking after them and appreciate the effort.

Safety chose me as well. It is a perfect fit for my degree in Psychology. Sure there are frustrating days but that would happen in any job. The satisfaction from helping others makes it all worth while. Like others, I would choose it all over again and start earlier.

By education, I am a Mechanical Engineer. Since graduation, I have worked in either a manufacturing or construction environments. My career has migrated into EHS. In my opinion, EHS should be part of the ME curriculum as the designs of machinery, equipment, and buildings should be taking EHS into consideration, particularly when it comes to servicing a piece of equipment after installation. Access to attics, roofs, and crawl spaces, climbing inside large make-up air units, all should be taken into consideration during the design stage. Unfortunately, many building owners and designers are not well versed in EHS and do not take these things into consideration leaving it behind as an afterthought for those of us in the field to contend with.

I am a Chemical Engineer by profession. After graduation, I have worked in various organisation from manufacturing, design engineering, oil and gas, and consultancy work environments. My career has migrated into HSE last 10 years ago. As for me, HSE should be part and should be taught in ALL Engineering disciplines because plans, designs and specifications of "anything in this world" needs to have HSE. Unfortunately, many organisation / industries are not so aware in HSE and do not consider it as a vital part of the pland & design. Just like my companion said "it is just an afterthought" when an incident happens.

Safety is a good career path and rewarding if you are in an organization where safety is an actual value of upper management. Otherwise, it is a thankless job and the safety pro is just a scapegoat for when things eventually go wrong.

Yes, I got into safety late in my career. After working as a electrician, appraiser and cost estimator, I was injured on the job and found safety. It combines all of my experience and skills, and provides me with a career I love.

All of the negative comments are understandable. Been there, done that. However, it takes passion and persistence to push ahead. Imagine what it would be like without safety. I made a difference even in the most challenging settings. Someone had to.

Excellent question and I have enjoyed reading the responses. I agree with the engineers that recognize that the regulations need to be taken into account and taught as one would go through formal education. It appears some are either in the honeymoon period in safety or have been extremely lucky to work for an organization that not only gets it but supports their efforts in the long run. Others comments point out the overall condition of safety across the nation. I myself have come up through the ranks and have done battle for safety on both sides of the fence. The elephant in the room is why do we have to battle for safety? One commenter pointed out the human propensity for risk taking. Then there is the necessity for upper management to drive performance and bottom line financial indicators. Realizing the return of investment (ROI) for companies is difficult for some and downright an impossibility for others. I have to agree with the one comment on a company that takes it serious having gone through a significant event. I think unfortunately the focus on financial profit degrades and at times trumps an organizations safety culture from a top down perspective. Middle management takes it on the chin having to “do the right thing” and being held to answer for decline in production or availability. To me safety should always be supported from the top yet driven from the bottom. On the ground level complacency, risk takers, shortcut takers, and there are those that just refuse to comply not only endanger themselves but those around them. As a Safety Professional it should be enough to just recognize the hazards, formulate mitigation, research the regulations, write policies & procedures, develop training, provide training, capture the training, provide recordkeeping, insure compliance, track matrix for refreshers, review JSA’s, update JHA’s, provide continuous improvement, study the leading & lagging indicators, research equipment & technologies to enhance safety. But instead you have to throw in battling all of the above stated conditions in order to provide these things. Now if you have worked your way up into a director’s position you have a department that needs structure, guidance, support, and comes with its own unique challenges. Then with all of this in place someone has an Uh Oh! Let’s throw you into case management, workman’s compensation, root cause analysis, deep dive, professional witness, front man for the regulatory agencies coming for their investigation, and possibly liable facing fines and imprisonment. All of these things you learn through coming up through the ranks. It reminds me of the story of cooking a lobster or crab. You start with the water at room temperature. You place the lobster or crab into the pot of water and every few minutes you turn the heat up about 5 degrees or so. This way they do not realize that they are being cooked. Boiled alive and not even know it. As a safety tech you only get so much responsibility and as time marches on a little more and a little more is added. See the resemblance? So, if I knew then what I know now… maybe the physical therapist route would have been a better choice. I love what I do and still fight to keep them safe even though the job comes with many more challenges than I ever realized starting out on this path.

No I would not choose OSH as a career. You are stuck between management and labor. When you want to do what is right you are odds with management and find yourself looking for a job. A garbage collector has more respect than a OHS professional.

A resounding YES As young chemical engineering, I was on-site during several chemical process safety accidents. Because of a specific interest in chemical processes since my days at Ohio State, and now some very personal reasons, wanted to know why and how such accidents occur. Although this was long before OSHA PSM, I had the opportunity to facilitate a HAZOP in 1978 and was hooked. In 1980 I became a full-time corporate safety engineer and had the opportunity to learn PSM from the pioneers who were still creating it. I was hooked and grew into the remainder of safety management. For me personally, Process Safety and Risk Management are still the best thing that ever happened to my career!

Starting 33 years ago I came up thru the mining & construction industries, starting as a laborer & working my way up thru equipment operator & supervisor. I have seen a large number of accidents & a couple of deaths during my time in the mining & construction industries. Safety chose me and I am glad it did, if I can prevent one accident or death and can see our fellow employees go home to their families at the end of their shift it leaves me with a good feeling. Being a safety professional is full of ups and downs, but working as a safety proffesional for the right company can be very gratifiing, albiet challenging.

No safety picked me,

I am not really a professional in that I don't have a degree. After a lengthy career I was chosen to be the safety and environmental coordinator for my department. It has been the most rewarding job I ever had.

Safety chose me as well. However, I have always been aware of the risks and hazards associated with the job(s) I have performed, and have done what I can to make those around me aware, as well. Now, being in a position where I have a responsibility to impart that information, it is more frustrating - but no less rewarding. The key for my organization is re-training those employees who end up on the SH-900 on a regular basis.

No, Safety is a forced culture not a volunteer culture. If it were not for OSHA safety wouldn't exist in 90% of the places. I constantly hear we need to do this or that to be compliant with OSHA not because it's the right thing to do.

The majority of my career has been on the periphery of the safety profession. My background provided for a unique perspective on safety and how it applies in business. This perspective has allowed me to realize as a safety professional that not all things that a safety pro feels need to be accomplished will be accomplished. Dealing with people and helping to instill an attitude of personal accountability has been very rewarding. Had my career started in safety I don't believe I have perceived my career as rewarding as it is.

As in every other profession there are frustrations and rewards in managing safety. I have worked for companies where upper management thought that safety was great as long as it did not interfere with production. I've also worked for a couple of companies where upper management understood that safety and production were partners. For me the rewards have outweighed the frustrations and I would choose a career in safety if I had to choose again. However, I would choose consulting.

No, I would stayed as a lawyer.

Absolutely! I have read and heard so many negative comments related to this question and the idea of safety being an after thought. Most will agree that OSHA policy/standards and many regulations are written in blood. That being said, if you don't believe that your hard work and dedication to your mission is valuable to at least a few that you 'touch' every day/week/month/year, then I recommend you find another occupation because you might be part of the problem. If the end goal is to get 10 steps down the path, you have a choice. Give up now and don't even try to make a positive impact, or start heading down the path. Even if you only get 8 steps down the path, at least you moved forward and did not stay put in your old ways. Change your attitude and motivation, and you might spread that outlook and personal responsibility/accountability instead of the virus you are spreading now. I wish you all a safe and pleasant weekend

I would probably head toward robotics and smart prosthetics. The advancements being made in intelligent artificial body parts is facinating, things like the ability to feel hot and cold with an artificial hand.

My opinion for choosing HSE would be "YES". Reason being, that this job requires commitment from your side with positive attitude that culture can be changed through change in behaviors. Plus, it gives you the opportunity for teaching people, of how to stay safe in hazardous environments. Since you have to teach / train people your own learning enhances with respect to learning of codes and standards. Another advantage of this career is that you become a finance expert, as you have justify the cost - benefit analysis of HSE aspects to the management.

OSH in the Dept of Defense is a true joy to work for and with! People are trained to listen and put into practice otherwise their pay is doc'd and they could face disciplinary actions. In the normal work world, OSH is like trying to sweep the ocean back with a feather!

If we have take a few seconds more thinking about safety in our daily activities, we would have less accidents and better working staff. And I'm willing to help understand those seconds are very important..Si todos tomamos unos segundos mas pensando en seguridad en nuestra actividades diarias, tendriamos menos accidentes y mejor personal de trabajo. Y yo estoy dispuesta ayudar a entender esos segundos son muy importantes.

I absolutely would choose safety as a career if I was starting over. I am at the end of a 40+ year career and have enjoyed every position I have had. Not every day or every week, but every job overall. Like most guys my age, safety was not my first job, but it was my second. I recognize that I have been fortunate. I am especially fortunate to end my career in a corporate position for a very large privately held company whose leadership at every level values safety. They get it. They support safety with word and deed and resources. If I had kids heading to college, I would advise them to take a hard look at EHS as a profession. The good news is that safety is recognized now as a profession, not just a job, and that salaries are more often reflecting that. As more of us retire, the upward pressure on salaries is increasing as are the opportunities for the safety professionals. I wish you all fulfillment from a great profession.

to many company's don't take safety seriously and tend to cut corners I see the importance of safety and how it saves the company money and lost time as well as injuries to workers or third party

I have loved my 21 years in Safety & Health. After being with my current employer they needed someone to create a Safety Department and with a business degree chose me. It's ever changing and no two days are the same. The only thing I would have done differently is I would have entered this field as my major and made this my lifelong career.

Absolutely not. I make less then my peers, I work longer hours, I have almost no support from site management, workers actively ignore policy (Then make me out to be the bad guy when discipline happens), and I'm on call 24/7. I have had dates, dinners, vacations, and many other things interrupted and not always for good reason. I once had to cancel a vacation I had been planning for six months because a corporate audit got scheduled at the same time. Safety professionals get the raw end of the deal. Another 5 years and a few certifications and I might actually make some money.

Like many here too often I have experienced that safety is a slogan without gravitas. This is a huge gap obviously and you won't find it listed in many incident investigation reports. Similarly check your local OHS course offerings and safety conference seminars you won't likely find it listed there either. Look to your local regulator the subject is probably lightly approached but the action component is "negligible". So what gives? Rather what is preventing the action component of this well known contributing factor to ensure safety? Is it a fear of losing our place in the company? A fear of being scape-goated, bullied, labelled. Fear of loss of standing in our professional safety associations? These are the realities too many of us in OSH face, and let’s face it OSH discrimination is an up-hill battle to prove on your own and you will likely be on your own. Right about now you might think that I’m a problem saturated and not solution focused OHS practitioner, but read the comments below and it becomes obvious that many safety personnel are exposed to these concerns regularly and predictably. What is the effect on those good folks? Is anyone measuring? Where do all the good safety people go? Who’s monitoring this? How many people are the colleges and private institutions churning out to the practice, how long do they stay, what are the reasons they leave? Until the issue is faced and "outed" by the safety profession, it's associations, and the regulators, workers will continue to be disproportionately seriously injured and killed, and safety professionals will continue to be exposed to emotional and economic security hazards and will be forced to endure the consequences of those preventable outcomes. Who will champion this, who will speak to it, what safety association will take this on, which regulator will make this a focus area? Reading the comments I was also really enthused by the folks who spoke about the great companies they work for, I’m glad it’s not all doom and gloom. Though the problems highlighted in these comments exist they are very real and they are largely unchecked.

Multiple older family members of mine had their retirement years cut short by legal exposures to hazards in the workplace. Severe Glaucoma, cataracts, hearing loss, stroke, melanoma, lymphoma, mesothelioma, liver disorders and other ailments of the not too elderly result in early death and a lack of quality of life in what should be the golden years. If only a handful of employees in companies I've worked with have a somewhat better life down the road how could I not want to be part of that. This doesn't even account for the acute injuries and ailments that will never occur because I noticed something or trained an operations manager how to recognize health and safety risks to his team members.

No.....since I am unemployed now because of restructuring ...I should of went into a business more closer to my degree