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Inspector, Safety Officer
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) officers work for federal and provincial governments. Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Act [pdf] authorizes occupational health and safety officers to inspect, investigate, inquire about, or conduct tests in workplaces to ensure they comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Code [pdf].
OHS officers inspect workplaces to ensure equipment, materials, and production processes do not present a safety or health hazard. They inspect a wide variety of workplaces such as construction sites, offices, and mines. They may specialize in inspecting a particular type of workplace.
When inspecting workplaces, OHS officers:
OHS officers enforce health and safety laws and regulations. They:
They also facilitate change to improve the health and safety culture. OHS officers:
For more details about the duties of an OHS officer, see the Occupational Health and Safety Act [pdf].
For information about OHS specialists employed by companies, see the Occupational Health and Safety Advisor occupational profile.
Occupational health and safety officers usually are responsible for a territory or a specific industrial process. They may travel often. Working hours depend on the types of workplaces they inspect. They may need to work overtime, particularly after an incident or a hazardous situation has been identified.
Occupational health and safety officers spend most of their time in the field. They may be exposed to potentially dangerous situations. Officers routinely need to enter confined spaces, climb ladders, and work in dusty conditions. When not in the field, they work in offices located at central or regional headquarters. Some may need to attend court hearings.
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 officers 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 78 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 12, 2021 and Apr 19, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Inspect workplaces for safety or health hazards | 57 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Ensure health and safety regulations are followed | 53 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel | 49 |
| Attention to detail | 47 |
| Tasks: Develop and implement health and safety plans | 47 |
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 46 |
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 46 |
| Tasks: Investigate workplace accidents or illnesses | 44 |
| Type of Inspection and Investigation: Workplace | 43 |
| Tasks: Provide information/training to employers, employees and general public | 43 |
Occupational health and safety officers must have 1 of the following:
They must also have related work experience. The number of years of experience required depends on the type of educational credential they hold. Those working for the provincial government need to be eligible for appointment as a peace officer.
Occupational health and safety officers must have a thorough understanding of legislation relating to safety standards. They need to stay informed about:
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) officer is not required in Alberta. However, it may be an asset when seeking employment.
The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals offers the designation Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP). To apply, you need:
If you are applying with a bachelor’s degree, you must also show that you have completed sufficient professional development in OHS. (Contact the BCRSP for information about how this is evaluated.)
Other organizations that offer certification include the following:
For related industry-specific certifications, talk to practising OHS officers or potential employers in the industry.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Occupational health and safety officers work for federal and provincial governments.
Officers usually advance to technical advisor or management positions through competition. Advancement depends on the individual’s initiative, management skills, educational background, work experience, and expertise.
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 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.
Earnings for occupational health and safety officers vary considerably depending on their education, experience, and location.
Salaries for provincial occupational health and safety officers range from $80,822 to $100,751 (Source: Government of Alberta, 2022 estimates).
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: www.bcrsp.ca
Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) website: www.bcsp.org
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) website: www.ccohs.ca
ECO Canada website: www.eco.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 23, 2023. 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.
