Occupational health and safety specialists held about 70,300 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most occupational health and safety specialists were as follows:
State and local government, excluding education and hospitals
18%
Manufacturing
16
Federal government, excluding postal service
11
Professional, scientific, and technical services
10
Construction
7
About 29 percent of occupational health and safety specialists worked for federal, state, and local governments in 2014. In the federal government, specialists are employed by various agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Most large government agencies employ specialists to protect agency employees. In addition to working for governments, occupational health and safety specialists worked in management, scientific, and technical consulting services; education services; hospitals; and manufacturing.
Occupational health and safety specialists work in a variety of settings, such as offices, factories, and mines. Their jobs often involve considerable fieldwork and travel. They may be exposed to strenuous, dangerous, or stressful conditions. Specialists use gloves, helmets, respirators, and other personal protective and safety equipment to minimize the risk of illness and injury.
Work Schedules
Most occupational health and safety specialists work full time. Some specialists may work weekends or irregular hours in emergencies.