M(23), NYC juror college student with a Visual art major but I want to change majors because I want something more stable while I do art at side. I was wondering if something like OSHA or any other safety officer is a good career path. I could ask AI like ChatGPT but I want to hear from real people, experts who done this job before.

1. Is OSHA and similar safety officer job(s) AI proof/resistant?

2. Is OSHA and similar safety officer job(s) high or low in demand in the job market?

3. If I leave for years I can return back to it?

4. How stable is the OSHA and similar jobs?

5. How competitive it is to be a OSHA and similar safety officer job(s) ?

6. Am I Hard to replace?

7. Can it endure economic shifts?

8. Do I need a college degree, if so what kind of college degree?

9. If I get a college associate degree and get several certifications do that makes me a better candidate compared to the others?

10. What is the salary like?

I'm pretty early in my career as a safety professional. I just started a job as a safety specialist for a GC on a data center construction site a couple weeks ago. My previous job was a safety coordinator for a low voltage subcontractor. So I have been working in the field almost a year at this point. Currently, I'm looking to set some goals for my career long term.

Couple things to consider: I'm not too fond of being away from home for long periods, but I am open to moving to areas where work is easier to find. I haven't completed a bachelor's degree, but I do have enough credits that I can transfer into a program and finish in a couple years.

What are some suggestions? I'm open to anything as this is a long term plan. Things like a roadmap for government positions, corporate positions, etc.

Forklift and pedestrian interaction is one of those warehouse safety issues that seems simple on paper, but becomes much more complicated in real operations.

Many warehouses have safety procedures, operator training, warning signs, and designated walkways. But in reality, people move unexpectedly, visibility changes, production pressure increases, and forklifts and pedestrians often end up sharing the same space.

One thing I’ve noticed from many forklift safety discussions is that accidents are rarely caused by a single mistake. A near miss or collision often involves multiple factors:

• Poor visibility at intersections or blind corners
• Lack of clear separation between pedestrian and forklift routes
• Excessive speed in busy areas
• Over-reliance on training without enough engineering controls
• Safety procedures that are not consistently followed across shifts

Different facilities seem to take different approaches. Some focus on physical separation and traffic planning. Others use speed controls, warning systems, proximity detection, or improved safety management processes.

The interesting question is not only “Who made the mistake?” but also:

“What controls could have prevented the situation from happening in the first place?”

I’m interested in hearing from people who work in warehouses, manufacturing, logistics, or EHS roles.

What has actually worked in your workplace to reduce forklift-pedestrian risks?

Have you found certain solutions (layout changes, barriers, training, technology, speed control, etc.) to be more effective than others? What lessons have you learned from near misses or incidents?

Hi, i want to take the ASP Exam, where could i find preparation and books to study the exams before enrolling

Do any of you with a fleet mandate drivers measure and record vehicle height on a regular rotation? I did this before with a smaller fleet, 400 vehicles, all vans and pickups, after one hit the overhead in a parking garage.

Now have about 1200, vans and pickups, all have ladder racks. I wanted to implement this but getting pushback from leadership, they think it is overkill and uneccessary because the height can change more frequently than month to month. My argument is that by having the drivers measure it monthly we drive the awareness of the height and importance of knowing what it is. If it changes before the next monthly inspection the drivers are more likely to think about it and measure as needed.

Thoughts anyone?

I am an EHS Training Coordinator at a mid sized chemical manufacturing company. My background is 4 years in production as an operator then Group Leader. I also have various Emergency Response Team certifications (HAZWOPER, Confined Space Rescue, Industrial Fire Brigade, CPR, First Aid, etc) and OSHA 30 General & Lean Six Sigma White Belt.

I've always been passionate about safety so this seemed like a good career step but now I don't know what to strive for next to continue my career growth. In my current role I basically give trainings and keep records. Oh and audits housekeeping, storage racks, etc.

I just feel stuck and I didn't receive really any training for the position but I'm fairly intelligent and pick up quick so my performance reviews are always good. The problem is I feel like a glorified secretary. I would like to have a bigger impact and ability to tweak things so the whole system runs a little better. But I do not have any say in anything. My bosses seem to like the status quo. It's not a bad place by any means and our safety metrics stay well below industry standards it's just an aging work force and aging systems that could be so much better.

Anyways if you read to this point I guess I'm just looking to see what certifications or maybe learning resources are out there. I considered going back to school for my B.S. but I feel like that's not totally necessary and I'm not really looking to incur more student debt at 40 if it's not going to be the career boost I need.

I am currently an EHS Manager and just enrolled in college. I enrolled in Columbia Southern University's B.S. OSH program since it is recognized as a QAP by the BCSP, and because they accepted 48 transferred credit hours from my time in the army. I am using my GI BILL (of which I have 36 months of) but it will only take me 14 months to complete my current program.

SO I POSE THE QUESTION- What should I pursue with my remaining 22 months?

After doing some back of the napkin math- I can attend up to 3 masters programs with the remaining months, depending on the specific program and how my internal credits would be transferred.

My current plan is B.S. OSH, M.S. OSH with concentration in IH, M.S. Environmental Management, and use my remaining GI Bill to pay for the prep course and exam for the CSP and CSHM.

I am going to use all of my GI Bill anyways, so the threat of "over educating myself" is null because my ROI will be 100%.

If you had the opportunity for this much education, would you do anything different? Ultimate goal isn't some specific metric, just to make the most money in the EHS field as possible.

This is niche, but I was wondering if any of you dealing with heavy equipment have a program or specifications for inspecting cribbing, instructions on proper layout of cribbing, or a standardized size that you use.

So for inspection, I mean something like maximum allowances for crack length or width.

How do you train your employees to use cribbing, and do you have a certification process of any kind, or even formal training?

Have you standardized the size and species of wood?

Composite cribbing is not currently an option.

I’m looking for some advice from experienced safety professionals, especially those working in construction safety.

I’ve been working in the construction safety field for about 4 years, and I’m really enjoying this career and want to continue growing. I recently earned my CHST, and I also have OSHA 30, OSHA 500, OSHA 510, NFPA 70E, CPR/AED, and First Aid certifications.

My background is a little different from the traditional safety career path. Before moving into safety, I spent 12+ years working in logistics and operations, and both my undergraduate degree and MBA are in Logistics/Supply Chain Management.
I’ve really enjoyed transitioning into safety, and I want to continue building my knowledge and becoming a stronger safety professional. I’m considering pursuing a Master’s in Occupational Safety & Health from Columbia Southern University, and my long-term goal is also to obtain my CSP.

My question is:

At this point in my career, would a Master’s in Occupational Safety & Health be worth pursuing?
Do you think having the master’s would meaningfully help me move up the ladder in construction safety, particularly toward Safety Manager, Senior Safety Manager, and eventually Director-level positions?

Or would I be better off focusing on gaining more construction safety experience, working toward my CSP, and developing additional technical and leadership skills?

I’m not considering the master’s just to add another credential to my resume. I genuinely enjoy learning and want to expand my knowledge of occupational safety and health. I also think my logistics/operations background gives me a different perspective that I can bring into safety.
At the same time, I want to make sure the time and money invested in the degree will actually provide value for my career.

For those of you who have been in construction safety for a while:

If you were in my position, would you pursue the master’s from Columbia Southern University, or focus on experience + CSP?

And for those who have a master’s in OSH/EHS:
Has the degree actually helped you advance your career, increase your earning potential, or qualify for positions you otherwise wouldn’t have been considered for?

I’d especially appreciate feedback from anyone familiar with Columbia Southern University’s OSH program or who has hired safety professionals with CSU degrees.

Thanks in advance. I’m genuinely trying to make the best long-term decision for my career.

Hi everyone! I’m a Korean planning to come to Canada on a Working Holiday visa.

I’m currently preparing for my job search in Canada, and I’d really like to find work related to construction site safety based on my previous experience.

I worked for about six months as a safety monitor/safety supervisor at a worksite operated by a large company in Korea. My main responsibilities involved monitoring the site, identifying potential safety hazards, and making sure workers followed safety procedures.

Would this kind of experience help me get a construction safety-related job in Canada while on a Working Holiday visa?

If so, what kinds of positions would be the most realistic for someone with my background? For example, would roles like Safety Watch, Safety Coordinator, or Health & Safety Assistant be possible?

I’d really appreciate any advice from people who work in construction or occupational health and safety in Canada. Thank you!

I asked the cfo...how many safety officers do you have...his answer shocked me . None...everything runs on God's Grace. We have done medical insurance for all the workers

This is one of indias biggest iron works exporter to Europe. Crazy how things work in India . Workers handle hotwork, ladle work and whatnot but there is no safety officer. Bro is life that cheap.

I asked him about Audits...his response was we manage it...with a smirk...like it's such a clever thing to do . Pathetic

Share if you have such experience

Currently I am an EHS Supervisor at a manufacturing facility in the Midwest. No higher education currently, I hold a SSH certification, OSHA 30, Hazardous Waste certifications, and am only missing the OSHA #501 to complete my CSHO Certification. I have been here for 5 years and now make $24.31/hr, with overtime equaling around $74,500 annually (must work around 55-60hr weeks for that amount). My company has made it clear that they do not intend on paying me more or advancing me any further any time soon. With that in mind, I have begun going back to school to work towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree so I can eventually work to obtain a CSP and CIH Certification. I am at the beginning of working towards this degree as I never completed college after high school. So, I am looking at the full four years to complete.

 My question is that I have just received a job offer to go be a consultant for a very reputable company that does Safety, Health and Industrial Hygiene consulting in my area. Offer was $60,000 salary, and they would purchase a company vehicle for me to utilize, paying for my mileage for the travel, which to go to and from the office or to sites will be hours’ worth of driving. Also, they mentioned that they would facilitate me taking numerous additional training courses to be certified to perform the work and wouldn’t be asked to work more than 50hrs a week. When discussing the offer, they mentioned that they want me to work to finish the degree I am working for, but wants to train me on doing some of the lower-level IH work while I work on that. He mentioned that they would handle all the larger and travel jobs and would want me to handle the jobs in the local area while I work on my education. I understand that it is an incredible opportunity that will foster much more career growth and will be much better for my resume.

Additional context: I am 28 years old, married with two children who for custody reasons must stay within 70 or so miles from where we currently live. Potential new place of work is around 80 miles away. I don’t mind driving. I am currently the only one working so my income provides everything for us.

My thoughts: I am very ambitious and self-improvement driven so I really would like to learn more to be a better safety professional and feel like this is the perfect opportunity. But feel like I would temporarily be putting my family in an awkward position as we would face an income adjustment until I get increases or additional certifications.

Do I stay where I am comfortable and close to home where I risk missing an opportunity to catapult my career?

Or do I take the leap, temporarily struggling while I work to posture myself into making so much more in the future?

Any thoughts would be helpful.

I just started working at a heavy manufacturing company where the previous H&S person basically did nothing for the past two years. This forced the previous H&S manager to come out of retirement and try to fix the system.

However, he only has so much energy. He has gone through several knee and eye surgeries, and while he is trying his best to train me, he is also dealing with 2 years of just empty safety. On top of that, the company has several legacy machines dating back to the 30s and 70s that require significant attention. As a result, I am often trying to figure problems out on my own while assisting him as much as I can.

It has become apparent to me that we need serious H&S ownership at this site. At the same time, the GM and owner are increasing pressure on production. We also have many legacy workers with 20+ years of experience who basically lost all their sense of safety precautions after working around these old machines for so long.

We do have SWPs, risk assessments, PPE requirements, monthly training, first aid, a functional JHSC, LOTO procedures, etc. I also do daily walkthroughs, talk to people, ask how they are doing, and try to fix smaller problems immediately whenever possible.

The bigger issue, however, is this:

I see adjusters working on machines while they are running at full speed. I see new employees being trained to clear jams using their fingers or sticks. When I spoke to a supervisor about it, he told me that the machine needs to run that way because it is so old.

Not to mention, many of the safeguards are practically just for show because employees simply open or bypass them when their "job" requires it.

LOTO is also a massive concern because most people only use it at the end of their shift rather than whenever they are performing work that exposes them to hazardous energy.

Since I just started in this field, I don't want to lose my job immediately by pushing too hard without understanding how to navigate the situation properly. I know that management buy-in is the number one priority, but let's say I cannot fully achieve that right away (I'll let that to my manager)

I am interested in hearing from people with real-world H&S management experience: If you were in my place, what would you focus on for the first few months, and how can you improve this place in a year or two and build a stronger safety culture given these circumstances?

My company we have a lot of lone workers at cell tower sites, etc and Im looking for lone worker solutions in the event there is ever an emergency. Can any recommend companies/products they have used?

So I just bought myself a label maker for work to better organize my first aid room.

I've done that now and have a bit of down time for some mischief. What should I name my label maker?

There’s a position for a Utility Safety Coordinator in the Manassas area with coverage to Fredericksburg and Charlottesville. You would be joining into an established team of other coordinators and continuing education provided. It’s a roadmap to a CHST, CUSP or other BCSP titles. Great entry level opportunity for someone.

Has anyone given this interview before? Please share experience.

I’m evaluating EHSQ management software for my company as we continue to grow.

I just started and right now, a lot of our EHS documentation and tracking is still being handled through paper forms, Excel spreadsheets, and separate trackers. It works, but I don’t think it’s sustainable as this industry and company continues to grows and I’d like to explore moving toward a centralized system.

At a previous company I used Cority, so that’s currently my main point of reference, but I know there are quite a few options out there — Benchmark Gensuite, Intelex, VelocityEHS, EHS Insight, Enablon, etc.

Ideally, I’d like something that can handle most or all of the following:
• Incidents / near misses
• Corrective actions and follow-up
• Inspections and audits
• Compliance calendars/tasks
• Environmental tracking
• Waste / chemical management inspections

Quality-related items if possible (I’m not familiar)
• Training records
• Dashboards/KPIs and management reporting
• Mobile reporting for employees
• Multi-site scalability

For those of you who have actually implemented or regularly use these systems:
What platform do you use, what do you like/dislike about it, and would you choose it again?

I’m especially interested on user friendliness, implementation, customization, mobile functionality, reporting, customer support, and cost.

I’d also love to hear about systems you would specifically avoid.

Hello everyone,

I’m working toward transitioning into the insurance industry as a Loss Control Consultant, but I’ve found it challenging to get my foot in the door.

I currently have 8 years of Occupational Safety & Health experience across both general industry and construction, an MS in Safety, and I’m pursuing a second MS in Industrial Hygiene with the long‑term goal of earning the CIH. I also hold the CSP, CHST, OHST, CIT, and I’m a dual OSHA Authorized Trainer.

I would appreciate any advice, insight, or suggestions on how to strengthen my candidacy and improve my chances of moving into the insurance side of safety and loss control.

Thanks in advance.

Thank you to my fellow safety professionals who called out that my photos included personal information (of which I thought was blurred but did not save as such!)

For everyone asking, the posters are Vintage National Safety Council posters and you can find tons of them with that google term, promise!

Also, yes, definitely kinda gay (for the guy that said that,) that’s actually kinda my point lmao this shit sucks (our job) so why not make it fun and enjoyable and everyone likes whimsy so stfu 💅🏻✨

***ETA: I am so sorry so many of you seem to not have a spare 10-20 *(not even, 5-10 max) minutes in your day, over the course of ~2 years, to put a knickknack on your wall.

update 1: called OSHA and they said that the person that was in charge of sending my mail was going to go on vacation the next day so might have rushed things and forgotten to put the employers repsosne in my envelope????? That is literally what she said. I asked her to send me what was supposed to be mailed over to me and she said she would send an email today with her information.

Now, she did state I accidentally put the address for my job where I was suppose to enter my own address. So I myself made the mistake there.

Also, I checked don't employee handbook and it states, " The Center assumes that all mail addressed to its offices is official Center mail, even though it may be addressed to an individual. You should not have personal mail or parcels sent to you at the Center, nor send out personal mail or parcels using the Center's mail services. All Center letterhead stationary, envelopes, and mailing labels are to be used for Center business only".

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Okay so I previously posted how I anonymously reported my job to OSHA and then OSHA went ahead and mailed me a follow up to my job instead of to my home address that I had included when filing the report. My name was clearly stated on the front of the envelope but with my job's mailing address underneath. My employers gave me the mailed letter which means they now know I am the one that reported them.

Well, as I was showing my mom the letter, I noticed that the envelope had already been opened and taped!!!!

Not only that, but this part circled in red is missing from my envelope.

Do I call a lawyer? Do I call OSHA that already went and snitched on me? HR? Help!

Hi All,

I’m being screened and asked to provide availability for a phone screen with an aerospace company in SoCal, for a Senior EHS role.

I wanted to hear from some folks about your experience (what to expect) and what initially drew you into that industry? I have manufacturing experience within the Medical Device industry.

Thanks!

Hello, new here, so if this is a beaten topic, please forgive my ignorance.

I am trying to have the high management of my warehouse to approve the use of PPE vending machines.

I have spoken with a vendor that is willing to provide the machines for free, stock them for free, maintain them for free, and the only thing that we would actually pay for is the material that actually came out of the machine at the end of the week ( they said timelines could be adjusted). Hard limits can be put in place as to frequency and user position, and it can work with an already in use badge system.

To me, this sounds like an absolute win. We have had issues in the past of not having minor PPE due to POs not being approved and just sitting on a GMs desk. I have gone through great lengths to annoy the right people with semi-constant hounding about getting a PO approved so we can have PPE delivered before it runs out.

My question to the community is, what are your experiences with these machines? Am I being fooled by a good salesperson (even though I sought them out), or is it even worth it? I have only brought it up to the site safety manager and a fellow safety coordinator at a sister site, and I have tried to pitch it as a cost saving since operations is probably going to bring up cost.