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Environmental Health and Safety Advisor, Health and Safety Officer, Health and Safety Specialist, Safety Advisor Safety Coordinator, Workplace Health and Safety Advisor
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Occupational health and safety (OHS) advisors promote the health, safety, and well-being of workers and the sustainability of workplaces. They consider health and safety concerns in the physical work environment. They work to control hazards and reduce the possibility of incidents at workplaces. They also focus on:
Specific duties vary widely from one position to another. But in general, OHS advisors assess and evaluate work procedures and environments. They identify potential hazards and eliminate them or ensure controls are in place. They also:
These responsibilities may require that OHS advisors:
OHS advisors also may hire specialized consultants to:
For more information, see the following occupational profiles:
OHS advisors focus on different duties depending on the type of organization they work for.
In trucking companies, OHS advisors:
In mines, OHS advisors:
In electrical utility companies, OHS advisors:
In some organizations, OHS advisors have additional responsibilities related to workers’ compensation, environmental protection, risk management, or plant security.
OHS specialists who have the authority to enforce the Occupational Health and Safety Code [pdf] work for provincial and federal governments. For more information, see the Occupational Health and Safety Officer occupational profile.
Occupational health and safety (OHS) advisors work in offices and at production sites. Some may need to work at outdoor worksites and handle various weather conditions.
In companies with many fieldwork sites, they may need to travel often. They do this to help implement safety programs and monitor compliance with company, industry, and government safety standards.
In addition to regular work hours, OHS advisors may need to respond whenever safety-related incidents occur.
OHS advisors must observe safety precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous materials. Physical requirements may include lifting heavy items, climbing to heights, or working in confined spaces.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in handling materials to collect water samples and other materials for analyses; and to develop, implement and evaluate health and safety programs and strategies
Interest in analyzing data from investigations of health and safety related complaints, spills of hazardous chemicals, outbreaks of diseases and poisonings and from workplace accidents and illnesses
Interest in speaking with employers, employees and the general public to deliver training and advise on public health, environmental protection and workplace safety issues; and in initiating enforcement procedures to fine or to close establishments that contravene municipal, provincial and federal regulations
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Occupational health and safety advisors need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 97 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 12, 2021 and Jul 11, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Inspect workplaces for safety or health hazards | 73 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Ensure health and safety regulations are followed | 69 |
| Attention to detail | 64 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel | 64 |
| Tasks: Develop and implement health and safety plans | 63 |
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 61 |
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 61 |
| Type of Inspection and Investigation: Workplace | 57 |
| Tasks: Provide information/training to employers, employees and general public | 57 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Word | 57 |
Employers generally prefer to hire individuals who have computer skills and a combination of relevant education and experience.
Some positions require post-secondary education in occupational health and safety or a related field. Related fields could include:
Other positions require journeyperson certification or extensive work experience related to the employer’s business, such as trucking, mining, or electrical utilities.
Once hired, occupational health and safety advisors must keep up with developments in their field. These may include changes in personal protection equipment, laws, or regulations. They may get additional on-the-job training or take related continuing education courses offered by post-secondary schools or professional associations.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certification as an occupational health and safety (OHS) advisor is not required in Alberta. However, it may be an asset when seeking employment.
The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) offers 2 designations:
Other organizations that offer certification include:
Registration with these organizations is voluntary. To learn about registration requirements, visit the organization’s website.
For related industry-specific certifications, talk to practising OHS advisors or potential employers.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Occupational health and safety advisors work for municipal governments and mid-sized to large organizations in many industries.
Those with post-secondary education are more likely to advance to management positions.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 2263: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety occupational group, 75.6% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 2263: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.5% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 219 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries vary depending on occupational health and safety advisors’ qualifications and responsibilities.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.27 | $59.14 | $35.13 | $34.62 |
| Overall | $20.55 | $73.98 | $42.25 | $40.38 |
| Top | $24.41 | $95.97 | $47.57 | $46.15 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,969 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $103,047 |
| Utilities | $92,336 |
| Construction | $65,408 |
| Manufacturing | $76,736 |
| Wholesale Trade | $55,522 |
| Retail Trade | $67,606 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $80,112 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $67,332 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $57,968 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $76,043 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $48,189 |
| Educational Services | $76,214 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $87,547 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $65,762 |
| Public Administration | $98,657 |
Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) website: www.youracsa.ca
Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) website: bcrsp.ca
Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) website: www.bcsp.org
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
ECO Canada website: eco.ca
Health and Safety Professionals Canada (HSPC) website: healthsafetypros.ca
National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) website: www.nebosh.org.uk
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
