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:
- Concerns about health, safety, and well-being related to how work is organized and the overall workplace culture
- Personal health resources in the workplace
- Ways to participate in the community to improve the health of workers, their families, and other community members
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:
- Advise managers, supervisors, and employees about safe work practices, safety standards, and regulations
- Maintain OHS management systems
- Recommend procedures and equipment for safety and for compliance with relevant laws and regulations
- Develop health and safety policies and programs
- Teach safety courses or coordinate third-party training for workers, supervisors, contractors, and visitors
- Facilitate joint health and safety committees and programs for employees
- Promote safe work practices and injury- and fatality-prevention activities
- Participate in incident investigations
- Work with others on emergency planning
- Coordinate the emergency response plan during an emergency
These responsibilities may require that OHS advisors:
- Inspect machines, based on manufacturers’ instructions, to identify potential hazards
- Inspect the workplace and work setups
- Recommend risk-reduction measures
- Supervise the installation of safety features or the introduction of safer procedures
- Analyze data to determine risk factors based on leading indicators, incident reports, and complaints
- Present data and trends to managers to assist with their decision making
- Regularly inspect premises for fire hazards and adequate fire protection
- Inspect firefighting equipment
- Order and keep an inventory of supplies
- Investigate the causes of incidents and present reports to workers and management
- Develop procedures or devices to prevent future incidents
- Implement corrective actions after safety incidents
- Plan and execute emergency drills
- Identify gaps in emergency response plans and address them
- Maintain records on third-party software for future use
OHS advisors also may hire specialized consultants to:
- Conduct noise-level surveys
- Take air-quality samples or conduct water sampling
- Complete ergonomic assessments
- Identify dusts, vapours, or gases, and advise management about corrective measures
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:
- Inform truck and trailer drivers about traffic and safety regulations, loading and unloading policies, and proper care of equipment
- Ensure compliance with the Canadian National Safety Code (NSC)
- Investigate collisions
- Recommend measures to improve service records and conserve equipment
In mines, OHS advisors:
- Ensure compliance with health and safety laws and regulations
- Check supports, electrical and mechanical equipment, explosives storage, and air quality
- Prepare bulletins on mine conditions, closures, near misses, and major safety infractions
- Teach safety and first aid courses
- Lead rescue activities
In electrical utility companies, OHS advisors:
- Instruct workers about safety measures
- Check equipment and tools
- Observe crews at work
- Examine tunnels and ditches
- Investigate accidents
- Devise preventive measures
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.
