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Occupational Health and Safety Advisor

Occupational health and safety advisors facilitate the development, implementation, and maintenance of workplace safety programs.

Also Known As

Environmental Health and Safety Advisor, Safety Officer

NOC Codes

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

  • 2263: Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety

2006 NOC-S

  • C163: Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety

2011 NOC

  • 2263: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety

2016 NOC

  • 2263: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety

2021 NOC

  • 22232: Occupational health and safety specialists

2023 OaSIS

  • 22232.00: Occupational health and safety specialists
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Occupational health and safety advisors promote the health, safety and well-being of workers and the sustainability of workplaces by considering health and safety concerns in the physical work environment. They also focus on:

  • Health, safety, and well-being concerns related to how work is organized and the 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 considerably from one position to another. But in general, occupational health and safety 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 and safety standards and regulations
  • Recommend procedures and equipment for safety and compliance with relevant laws and regulations
  • Develop health and safety policies and programs
  • Teach safety courses
  • Facilitate employee safety committees and programs
  • Promote safe work practices and injury- and fatality-prevention activities
  • Participate in incident investigations
  • Work with others on emergency planning

These responsibilities may require that occupational health and safety advisors:

  • Inspect machines to identify potential hazards
  • Recommend risk-reduction measures and supervise the installation of safety features or the introduction of safer procedures
  • Regularly inspect premises for fire hazards and adequate fire protection, and inspect firefighting equipment
  • Investigate the causes of incidents and develop procedures or devices to prevent future occurrences

Occupational health and safety 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 Environmental Auditor, Environmental Engineer, Ergonomist and Occupational Hygienist occupational profiles.

In trucking companies, advisors inform truck and trailer drivers about traffic and safety regulations, loading and unloading policies, and proper care of equipment. They also investigate collisions and recommend measures to improve safety records and conserve equipment.

In mines, advisors ensure compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. They check supports, electrical and mechanical equipment, explosives storage, and air quality. They also teach safety and first-aid courses and lead rescue activities.

In electrical utility companies, advisors instruct workers about safety measures, check equipment, and tools, observe crews at work, examine tunnels and ditches, investigate accidents, and devise preventative measures.

In some organizations, occupational health and safety advisors have additional responsibilities related to workers’ compensation, environmental protection, risk management, or plant security.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg

Occupational health and safety advisors work in offices and at production sites. In companies with many fieldwork sites, considerable travel may be required to assist with implementing safety programs and monitoring compliance with company, industry, and government safety standards. In addition to their regular work hours, health and safety advisors may be required to respond whenever safety-related incidents occur.

Safety precautions must be observed to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous materials. Physical requirements may include lifting heavy items, climbing to heights or working in confined spaces.

Interests & Abilities

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.

Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety

2006 NOC: 2263

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

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

INNOVATIVE

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

DIRECTIVE

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

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

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.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Occupational health and safety advisors need:

  • Communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • The ability to lead and motivate workers at all levels

They should enjoy:

  • Having clear rules and organized methods for their work
  • Analyzing information
  • Advocating for workers

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.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety

2016 NOC: 2263

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 74 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 12, 2021 and Mar 27, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Inspect workplaces for safety or health hazards
Tasks: Ensure health and safety regulations are followed
Attention to detail
Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel
Health benefits: Health care plan
Health benefits: Dental plan
Tasks: Investigate workplace accidents or illnesses
Tasks: Develop and implement health and safety plans
Type of Inspection and Investigation: Workplace
Tasks: Provide information/training to employers, employees and general public
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Minimum Education Varies

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 such as chemistry, engineering, medicine, microbiology, nursing, or physics. 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.


Related Education

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 Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Certification Not Regulated

Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.

Although certification is not required, it may be an asset when seeking employment. The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) offers the designation Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) to applicants who have been employed as occupational health and safety advisors for at least 3 years and have successfully completed an evaluation, interview, and examination process.

For related certifications that are industry specific, talk to practising occupational health and safety advisors or potential employers.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Occupational health and safety advisors are employed by large and mid-sized organizations in a wide variety of industries.

Occupational health and safety advisors with post-secondary education are more likely to advance to management positions.

Industry Concentration

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

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 2263: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 154 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: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

 

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Salaries vary depending on 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.

Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety

2016 NOC: 2263
Average Wage
$42.25
Per Hour
Average Salary
$82,969.00
Per Year
Average Hours
38.1
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 2263 Wage Profile

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.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Utilities
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Information, Culture, Recreation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Business, Building and Other Support Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
26%
26%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
16%
16%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
3%
3%
Vacancy Rate
6%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Engineering and Science Technologies
  • Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
  • Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) website: www.bcrsp.ca

BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca

ECO Canada website: www.eco.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2019. 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.

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