Occupational Health & Safety Professional

• Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety
• Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational health and safety laws aim to make workplaces safer, eliminate fatalities and prevent worker injury and disease. Unfortunately, complaints and accidents, sometimes fatal, occur in the workplace and need to be investigated by occupational health and safety inspectors. It's also their duty to advise workers and employers on safety in the workplace, and to ensure that safety and health rules are adhered to.

Some occupational health and safety inspectors, who are employed are legally entitled to enter a workplace at any time to ensure that a minimum standard of health and safety is maintained in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1984.

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Helping and Community Services

Nutrition Assistant (Dietary Aide),  Police Officer,  Aged or Disabilities Carer,  Counsellor and Community Worker,  Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker,  Trichologist,  Child Care Worker,  Landcare Officer,  Customer Service Officer,  Park Ranger,  Tourist Information Officer,  Kitchen hand,  Medical Administrative Officer,  Interpreter,  Reflexologist,  Youth Worker or Disability Worker,  Patient Care Assistant,  Massage Therapist,  Fitness Instructor,  Occupational Health & Safety Professional,  Financial Planner / Financial Investment Advisers,  Librarian

Influencing and Personal Contact

Designers for Theatre, Performance and Events,  Receptionist (Tourism),  Accountant,  Police Officer,  Event Coordinator,  Restaurant and Catering Manager,  Hotel Manager,  Counsellor and Community Worker,  Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker,  Trichologist,  Travel Consultant (Domestic and International),  Child Care Worker,  Film, Stage, TV and Radio Director,  Bank Officer,  Musician,  Butcher,  Nursing (enrolled),  Sports Coach,  Legislators and Government Appointed Officials,  Personal Trainer,  Private Investigator,  Landcare Officer,  Human Resources Manager,  Veterinary Nurse,  Ecotourism Guide,  Park Ranger,  Author/ Book Editor,  Tourist Information Officer,  Beauty Therapist,  Florist,  Actor,  Project and Program Administrator,  Cellar Door Salesperson,  Reflexologist,  School Services Officer,  Youth Worker or Disability Worker,  Conveyancer,  Copywriter,  University - VET Lecturers and Tutors,  Patient Care Assistant,  Aromatherapist,  Fitness Instructor,  Hairdresser,  Occupational Health & Safety Professional,  ICT Network Administrator,  Market Research Analyst,  Sales Consultant (IT),  Credit and Loans Officer,  Marketing and Advertising Specialists,  Retail Sales Supervisors and Assistants,  Management Consultant,  Real Estate Agents & Property Managers

Of those currently employed 29% have completed Bachelor Degrees; 20% have Certificate III or CIV; 15% have an Advanced Diploma or Diploma; and 13% have a Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate. With the increasing difficulty for some to find work, the education and training provided by TAFE SA gives prospective employees a definite advantage when applying for jobs.

TAFE SA offers the following courses to help you find employment in this occupation: Certificate IV in Occupational Health & Safety; and the Diploma of Occupational Health & Safety. For further information about these courses please check the TAFE SA website, www.tafe.sa.edu.au. Still Unsure! Then contact the TAFE SA Information Line on 1800 882 661 to enquire about the availability of related short courses.

Flinders University offers a Bachelor of Health Science degree.

The University of Adelaide also offers a Bachelor of Health Science degree as well as a Graduate Diploma or a Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety Management - Adelaide Uni

The University of South Australia offers the following post graduate courses: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or a Master of Occupational Health and Safety Management.

Employment opportunities have largely been dependent on staff vacating their positions. The low job turnover experienced in this occupation means that the demand has been low. However, an industry professional says that a large percentage of the people currently employed as inspectors are part of an ageing population, and over the next few years, employment prospects will improve.

Occupational Health and Safety officers are also being employed in a wide variety of industries. Positions are now becoming available in management consultancies and large commercial institutions, such as banks, hospitals, insurance companies, government organisations and service-based organisations.

They can also be self-employed and acts as consultant to firms and companies.

Health and Community Services

To be added.

When an accident occurs in the workplace, or reports of unacceptable workplace practices are lodged, or investigations have been instigated by health and safety inspectors, there are some typical tasks carried out. These include: inspecting machines and other equipment in the workplace; checking that safety and health legislation has been implemented; ensuring that protective equipment is used in workplaces where this is required; and writing accident or workplace practice reports. These occasions also provide a good opportunity for occupational health and safety inspectors to advise people about how to improve safety in the workplace.

In some instances, inspectors may have to issue a court summons to employers who have clearly breached occupational health and safety standards. As a result, inspectors may have to appear in Court as witnesses.

An investigation may also be undertaken if a safety and health issue cannot be resolved between an employer and employee, or to check whether changes have been instigated at a workplace that has already been investigated.

One investigator says that excellent observation, analytical and interpersonal skills are important in this line of work. They were attracted to the occupation because they felt, and still feel strongly about improving people's safety. 'There's an assumption that you'll go to work in the morning and come home in the evening, and it's just not always the case. One person's injury or death affects so many other people. If I can prevent one injury, that means a great deal to me.' As in most other occupations, good computing skills are also essential for inspectors as they are responsible for a significant amount of data processing, word processing and Internet research.

The majority of an occupational health and safety inspector's work is conducted outdoors mostly at industrial or construction sites. They also carry out inspections in offices, factories, warehouses, hospitals, farms, schools, forests, aircraft and on boats - any place where employees or self employed persons work. An inspector's work hours tend to be from 8am to 5pm. Weekend and evening work may be required if an accident or emergency occurs during these times. It's not uncommon for inspectors to have to travel throughout the State conducting investigations.

For further information, contact:

National Safety Council of Australia (SA)
116 Botting St Albert Park SA 5014
Ph: (08) 8234 3034
Fax: (08) 8234 3035
Email: sasafe@nsca.org.au
Website: www.nsca.org.au

WorkCover Corporation South Australia
GPO Box 2668 Adelaide SA 5001
Ph: (08) 8233 2222 or 13 18 55 (Toll Free)
Fax: (08) 8233 2990
Website: www.workcover.com

Recently qualified safety inspectors earn about $40,000 per year. More experienced inspectors can earn more than $60,000.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au