Looking for long-term job security and satisfaction? Then you should consider a career in safety, says the president of two national safety companies. Workplaces across the country will always need dedicated professionals to help minimize workplace risks and improve safety and health performance.
“The safety field offers many exciting, challenging career options,” said Benjamin Mangan, president and founder of MANCOMM and American Safety Training, Inc., partner companies committed to helping businesses protect their workers by providing them with state-of-the-art safety compliance products and training. “Plus, a career in safety offers real personal satisfaction. Knowing that you are helping to keep coworkers healthy and safe gives each workday direction and purpose.”
Today’s businesses depend on safety professionals to plan, implement and maintain hazard-free working conditions. A company’s safety needs can range from planning physically safer workplaces to changing employee behaviors and procedures for the better. Safety professionals protect lives as well as other valuable assets, including buildings, equipment, the environment, and company reputations. The bottom line is protected as well, since reducing worker injuries and maintaining a happy workforce helps keep productivity high and accident-related costs low.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians is expected to increase as much as 17 percent through 2014. Occupational health and safety specialists held about 40,000 jobs in 2004, while technicians held about 12,000. Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, emergency preparedness has become a greater focus for both the public and private sectors. Extra job openings will arise from the need to replace safety professionals who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave for various other reasons.
Most occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work in large private firms or for federal, state, and local governments. In May 2004, median annual earnings of occupational health and safety specialists were $51,570. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,580 and $65,370. Median annual earnings of occupational health and safety technicians were $42,130, with the middle 50 percent earning between $29,900 and $56,640.
In addition to a healthy salary, a career in the safety field can also offer strong advancement opportunities, Mangan said. “Careers in safety can experience both lateral and vertical growth. Safety professionals can advance to management positions, and often, they possess skill-sets that can secure positions in other key departments, like human resources or employee training.”