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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Health and Safety Consultant

💰 $75,000 - $125,000

ConsultingHealth and SafetyEHSCompliance

🎯 Role Definition

A Health and Safety (H&S) Consultant serves as a trusted, expert advisor to a diverse portfolio of clients, guiding them through the complex landscape of occupational health and safety regulations and best practices. More than just an auditor, this role is a strategic partner, dedicated to fostering a proactive safety culture, mitigating risks, and protecting the well-being of employees. The consultant analyzes existing safety management systems, identifies gaps and areas for improvement, and develops practical, tailored solutions that ensure legal compliance and drive operational excellence. This position requires a unique blend of deep technical knowledge, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to influence change at all levels of an organization, from the shop floor to the C-suite.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Health and Safety Coordinator / Specialist
  • Site Safety Officer / Manager
  • Industrial Hygienist

Advancement To:

  • Senior Health and Safety Consultant / Principal Consultant
  • EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) Manager / Director
  • Practice Leader or Regional Director (Consulting Firm)

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate Risk Manager
  • Environmental Consultant or Sustainability Specialist
  • Quality Assurance Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Act as the primary safety advisor for a portfolio of clients, providing expert guidance on compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA).
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive Health and Safety Management Systems (HSMS) for clients, often aligning with standards like ISO 45001.
  • Conduct thorough on-site safety audits, inspections, and gap analyses to identify non-compliance issues, workplace hazards, and programmatic deficiencies.
  • Prepare detailed, professional reports documenting audit findings, risk levels, and clear, actionable recommendations for corrective and preventive actions.
  • Design and deliver engaging and effective safety training programs for all levels of a client's workforce, covering topics from hazard communication to lockout/tagout and emergency preparedness.
  • Perform in-depth risk assessments and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) for a wide range of industrial, construction, and corporate environments to proactively identify and control potential risks.
  • Lead or support comprehensive incident investigations, utilizing root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone) to prevent recurrence and institutionalize learnings.
  • Develop and review client-specific safety policies, procedures, and written programs, ensuring they are current, compliant, and effectively implemented.
  • Provide expert consultation on machinery safety, ergonomic assessments, industrial hygiene (e.g., noise monitoring, air sampling), and chemical management.
  • Assist clients in establishing and managing safety committees, empowering them to become effective drivers of the organization's safety culture.
  • Manage and analyze safety data, tracking leading and lagging indicators (e.g., TRIR, DART, near-misses) to measure performance and identify trends.
  • Liaise with regulatory agencies (such as OSHA) on behalf of clients during inspections, inquiries, or citation proceedings, providing strategic support and guidance.
  • Evaluate and recommend appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) solutions, ensuring proper selection, fit, training, and maintenance.
  • Develop and help clients execute emergency action plans, including drills and tabletop exercises, to ensure preparedness for various crisis scenarios.
  • Stay abreast of emerging EHS trends, new legislation, and industry best practices to provide forward-looking advice and maintain subject matter expertise.
  • Create customized safety solutions for unique or high-risk client operations, thinking creatively to solve complex safety challenges.
  • Support clients in their contractor safety management programs, including pre-qualification, site orientation, and performance monitoring.
  • Facilitate strategic safety planning sessions with client leadership to align safety objectives with overall business goals.
  • Provide on-call support and crisis management guidance to clients in the immediate aftermath of a serious safety incident.
  • Mentor and coach junior safety professionals, both within the consultancy and at client organizations, to build greater safety competency.
  • Cultivate strong, long-term relationships with clients, establishing yourself as their go-to resource for all matters related to workplace health and safety.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide expert support and timely responses to ad-hoc client inquiries regarding safety regulations, best practices, and incident analysis.
  • Contribute to the development and refinement of the consultancy's service offerings, internal safety knowledge base, and best practice guides.
  • Partner with diverse client business units, from front-line operations to senior leadership, to translate safety objectives into actionable, site-specific plans.
  • Engage in project planning, resource allocation, and progress reviews for multiple, often concurrent, client engagements to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Regulatory Expertise: Deep and practical knowledge of OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910 & 1926) and familiarity with other relevant bodies like NFPA, ANSI, and the EPA.
  • Management Systems: Proven ability to develop, implement, and audit safety management systems based on frameworks like ISO 45001, OHSAS 18001, or VPP.
  • Risk Assessment Methodologies: Proficiency in conducting formal risk assessments, Job Hazard Analyses (JHA/JSA), and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
  • Incident Investigation: Mastery of root cause analysis (RCA) techniques (e.g., 5-Whys, Fishbone, TapRooT®) to conduct thorough and unbiased investigations.
  • Industrial Hygiene: Foundational knowledge of IH principles, including experience with monitoring equipment for noise, air contaminants, and other chemical/physical hazards.
  • Technical Writing: Ability to author clear, concise, and professional audit reports, safety programs, and executive summaries.
  • Data Analysis: Competency in tracking and analyzing safety metrics (leading/lagging indicators) using software like Excel or specialized EHS platforms to identify trends and inform strategy.

Soft Skills

  • Influential Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate complex safety concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, from factory workers to senior executives.
  • Client Relationship Management: A consultative mindset focused on building trust, understanding client needs, and becoming a valued partner rather than just a vendor.
  • Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Adept at analyzing complex situations, identifying underlying problems, and developing practical, effective, and business-savvy solutions.
  • Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple client projects simultaneously, balancing priorities, timelines, and deliverables effectively.
  • Adaptability & Poise: Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure, especially during crisis situations or challenging regulatory interactions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree in Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a related discipline.
  • Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Environmental Health Science
  • Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-10 years of progressive experience in a dedicated health and safety role, with a strong preference for experience in a consulting or multi-site corporate capacity.

Preferred: Direct experience across multiple industries (e.g., manufacturing, construction, logistics, healthcare) is highly valued, as it demonstrates adaptability and a broad understanding of different risk profiles.

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