Health & Safety
What do Health & Safety Specialists do?
A Health & Safety specialist in the nuclear sector would encourage a positive health and safety culture at their workplace by applying their knowledge, abilities, and experience. The position would entail making sure that every employee in your business complies with all relevant safety laws and that safety policies and procedures are adopted and followed.
Typical duties and responsibilities of a Health & Safety Specialist
Highlighted below are some of the responsibilities you would expect to have in a Health and Safety Advisor Role:
- To lead regular site inspections (Safety Walks) to ensure that the Health and Safety policies and procedures are being followed onsite.
- Develop the internal Health and Safety policies for your company.
- To lead in house training and promotion relating to Health and Safety.
- And to record, investigate and monitor Health and Safety incidents that occur on site.
Skills and knowledge required to be a Health & Safety Specialist
You might be wondering, what skills are required to become a Health and Safety Advisor, the typical skills required are listed below:
- Technical Expertise: Knowledge of the fundamentals of health and safety, and the relevant legislation and regulation.
- Interpersonal Skills: Patience, diplomacy and negotiation skills.
- Communication Skills: The ability to present complex information in a simple and easy to understand manner, and to listen attentively.
- Questioning Attitude: Have a curious and investigative approach.
How do I become a Health & Safety Specialist?
here are a number of different pathways you can take to become a Health and Safety Advisor. You can become a Health and Safety Advisor by: completing a university degree; completing an apprenticeship; or, training through a professional body.
To assist your next steps, there is more information below on each pathway.
University
Currently, there are a handful of Health & Safety related undergraduate degrees on offer across the UK. However, there are many Postgraduate Level qualifications on offer. The Postgraduate qualifications include an MSc in Health & Safety and a MSc/Diploma in Health, Safety & Environment.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a potential pathway to becoming a Health & Safety Advisor. Examples of potential apprenticeship schemes include a Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety or a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Health & Safety. Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to gain experience and earn whilst you learn, all with the support of an experienced mentor and your peers.
Training, through a professional body
It may be possible to work towards studying for a Health & Safety qualification whilst working in an alternative or lower role. Some of the most popular Health & Safety courses are offered through organisations such as the British Safety Council and the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH).
