2017 Job Outlook

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Respondents comment on the future of the safety profession

How would you describe the current job market for occupational safety and health professionals?

"Good."

"Very strong, especially in insurance Loss Control. Many coming out of school have no idea that insurance Loss Control positions exist. The insurance industry gave up internal training programs years ago. Now, everyone is fighting over the same bodies."

"Many jobs and no one to fill them."

"Fairly active."

"The market seems very tight right now for degreed safety professionals with 1-3 or even 3-5 years of experience. There is no shortage of people that are firefighters or have law enforcement type of degrees; however, we are looking for degreed safety professionals, when possible. Due to the shortage of degreed safety professionals, I have started considering people with online safety degrees or also those without a safety degree but rather a degree in the sciences or engineering."

"I have not paid close attention to this issue. Therefore, I am not in a position to respond."

"There aren't many openings in our state."

"Spotty... many postings require very specific certifications, experience and/or company specific qualifications."

"Growing."

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What can be done to encourage safety and health professionals to stay longer with their organizations?

"Respect, pay, advancement possibilities."

"I am 68 and may work until I am 70. Love what I do."

"Increased responsibility and recognition."

"I think many safety professionals still feel undervalued, unsupported and underpaid for the work they do. The keys for my success is a managerial staff committed to the safety program and encourages their workforce to participate with the safety program. Safety is beyond simple compliance with OSHA. Safety requires involvement by all."

"More money."

"Greater emphasis on Operation/production's commitment to resources (time, money, human and material resources), and most importantly employers commitment to holding employees, management and the organization responsible and accountable for safety programs and participations."

"Better pay and more respect."

"Raise Salary."

"Better definition of roles and position."

"It all depends on the organization."

"More senior management buy in and support."

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Going forward, what skills will be most important for safety and health professionals to be hired and promoted?

"Education and hands on Business skills. 'Soft' people skills. Selling skills. Knowledge of regulations and work experience. Once obtained ASSE and BCSP membership and certifications for advancement. management of people skills."

"Due to the shortage of safety professionals, many of us agree that we can teach and train safety concepts and requirements. The skills that are more difficult to develop are: learning how to influence others, learning how to understand the business side of things (not just safety side), and project management. The ability to work with other people and to listen to their ideas."

"CSP Cert or equivalent see 19 above The ability to gain the trust of the work force and mangement. Process Safety, Incident Investigation, Safety Culture Certification."

"Enthusiasm for safety, ability to work with people and communicate ideas."

"OSHA 30 customer service training train the trainer training Besides the obvious that there needs to be training the individual needs to have people skills with the ability to sell safety to higher ups that do GET it."

"Communication skills are essential to success. Injury Illness reduction through incident investigation and corrective actions. Ability to lower Worker Comp premiums for employer."

"Well rounded. Good Communication Skills Knowledge of Rules and Regulations Conflict resolution Problem solver."

"Safety culture and environmental. Flexibility, personable (not just a techy) and credentials (GSP, ASP, CSP)."

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What can be done to attract new people to the profession?

"Pay, good career path. We need to get into the schools and let people know of a Loss Control career. While recruiting may be focused towards those in safety programs, candidates should be sought from other departments too, such as business, engineering, education, etc. Knowledge of what a good and satisfying job it is. college outreach."

"I feel we need to increase our visibility with the college campuses. Colleges with safety programs can help by promoting the profession. Potential students need to understand that safety professionals are getting paid well these days and there is a shortage. When I first became a safety officer, there were few college programs offering to provide degrees in safety management. Now this has changed substantially. This is a start."

"Money and benefits Practical, OJT, Intern (not necessarily college grads). Training and meaningful; certificated OSHA achievement and training not just CSP types (the CSP and similar education certifications are not orientated to a practical day to day work environment for most safety professional out in the field. CSP and similar types have become a “circle the wagon, protective, academia focus” certification. Get word of safety professions out to high school students Raise starting salary Better payment."

"Unsure...I was an admin assistant at the location and they needed a safety person so I was able to switch jobs"

"Promote job satisfaction knowing you've done something worthwhile for others each day. I don't know."

"Raise pay."

"Spend more time in HS and colleges discussing profession. More job security and better pay."

"More safety and health programs in the smaller universities and state colleges. Intern programs."

"More coverage of profession in media."

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