So you want to work in environmental health and safety, or EHS. Understanding the EHS specialist’s job description is the first step in determining whether or not it will be the right fit for you and knowing the necessary certificates you’ll need. As an EHS professional, you assist a huge number of firms in meeting workplace and public safety standards.
Let’s get started…
What is an environmental health and safety (EHS) professional?
An environmental health and safety (EHS) expert is a specialist who sets and enforces regulations to protect the health and safety of the environment, workforce, and general public.
EHS professionals typically work for themselves or for federal, state, or local government agencies, in the field of medicine, public health and advocacy, environmental research, toxicology.
EHS professionals also spend their work hours in other locations such as factories, mines, health services, and so on.
If you choose an environmental health career, you will also be able to apply to private companies, consulting firms, government agencies, and labs.
What is an EHS Specialist’s Job Description?
Your major role as an EHS specialist will often be to identify and control exposures. You’d also develop, oversee, and lead inspection programs to ensure that health, safety, and environmental requirements are followed. Nonetheless, your roles will be dependent on the position your are occupying. Typical job description of an EHS specialist/professional includes:
- Analyzing samples and conducting surveys to evaluate threats.
- Create plans to increase health security in the event of a pandemic or natural disaster.
- Creating technical findings reports.
- Detect and report violations of health regulations.
- Give organizations feedback, such as effective initiatives or preventive safety measures, etc.
Steps to become environmental health and safety professionals
Do you have aspirations to become an environmental health and safety professional?
Researching the requirements to become one may be difficult, especially if you don’t understand how to get started. So here are the information you’ll need:
Job Requirements for Environmental Health and Safety
If a job as an environmental health specialist interests you, these are some procedures to take in order to obtain an EHS Certification from the Board of Certified Professionals.
The following are the main requirements and qualifications necessary to get a job as an environmental health and safety professional, according to Nigerian, UK, and US Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Bachelor’s degree: A Bachelor’s degree program is necessary to help prepare individuals interested in this type of work.
You could also get a Master’s degree in this field as a way to advance your profession, and qualify for more advanced safety positions. There are many masters degree programs available for environmental health and safety. Many employers require Environmental Health and Safety professionals to have at least a Bachelor in any related discipline such as biology or chemistry.
This is also because their coursework may have covered environmental law compliance, waste management, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, and toxicology.
Diploma: An alternative to gaining a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is to get a diploma from a recognized board of education.
Degree field: Choose an area of expertise. Occupational safety, health, or other related scientific disciplines.
Earn Certification: Get certified through professional organizations and professional boards. Acquilla Solutions Limited offers certified training for a range of quality health and safety (HSE) courses.
Voluntary certification increases your chance of getting hired in the future.
Gain relevant work experience: Any work experience and internships are important in this profession. To gain more experience a great way is to complete internships. That’s why employers prefer to hire individuals with 1 -3 years’ experience. You could also look for specialized training to help increase your chances of getting hired in the future.
Bonus:
Dedication and commitment: These are major factors in your success in becoming a specialist and a professional in this field. These two components are key ingredients that’ll take you to where you want to be in the future.
Top Skills and Abilities Required for a Career in Environmental Health and Safety in 2022
Professionals in this field frequently have technological and scientific skills in order to acquire certifications in EHS. Written and oral communication skills are essential, especially for those who work in consultancy and advocacy jobs.
Basic Skills required for this field includes:
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
- Good emotional intelligence (EQ)
- Good communication skills
- Decision-making skills
- Monitoring and evaluation skills
- Critical thinking and Analytical skills
- Baseline knowledge and comprehension of established workplace safety requirements
- Excellent organizational abilities
- Data analytics and critical thinking skills
Additional requirements
- Willingness to work on-call in case of emergencies
- You appreciate working around people
- Good physical stamina can work well under pressure
- Has a growth mindset
Is it possible to get an EHS Specialist certification online?
We all know that the globe is currently grappling with yet another wave of COVID-19, which prompts some individuals to wonder if it is possible to obtain EHS certificate programs online.
If you’re asking this, the short answer is YES!!!
Here’s a list of some Environmental Health and Safety Courses that are offered by Acquilla Solutions Limited, for interested students:
#1. ISO 45001. Occupational Health & Safety management system
#2. Fire Safety and Prevention Training Course
Learning outcomes includes
- Describe the principles of fire initiation, classification and spread
- Outline the principles of fire assessment
- Describe the basics principles of fire prevention and the prevention of fire spread in buildings
#3. Integrated Environmental & Quality (14001 & 9001) Management System Awareness Course
Use these simple tips to pursue your dream of becoming an Environmental Health and Safety professional in Nigeria and Wherever.
Have any questions concerning any of our courses? Leave your message and we’ll get right back to you.
