What Do OHS Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

OHS Technicians collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists. Implement and conduct evaluation of programs designed to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers. They also test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.

Other tasks include:

• Prepare or calibrate equipment used to collect or analyze samples.
• Maintain all required environmental records and documentation.
• Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.
• Prepare or review specifications or orders for the purchase of safety equipment, ensuring that proper features are present and that items conform to health and safety standards.
• Conduct worker studies to determine whether specific instances of disease or illness are job-related.
• Recommend corrective measures to be applied based on results of environmental contaminant analyses.

We asked OHS Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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72% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 76% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

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Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, OHS Technicians maintain all required environmental records and documentation. They supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.

A typical day for an Occupational Health and Safety Technician will also include:

• Maintain logbooks of daily activities, including areas visited or activities performed.
• Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.
• Prepare or calibrate equipment used to collect or analyze samples.
• Review records or reports concerning laboratory results, staffing, floor plans, fire inspections, or sanitation to gather information for the development or enforcement of safety activities.
• Provide consultation to organizations or agencies on the workplace application of safety principles, practices, or techniques.

We asked some OHS Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	92% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	50% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	73% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	12% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	23% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, OHS Technicians also maintain logbooks of daily activities, including areas visited or activities performed. They may also recommend corrective measures to be applied based on results of environmental contaminant analyses.

On a weekly to monthly basis, OHS Technicians Inspect fire suppression systems or portable fire systems to ensure proper working order. They might also Supply, operate, or maintain personal protective equipment.

In addition, they Test workplaces for environmental hazards, such as exposure to radiation, chemical or biological hazards, or excessive noise.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Prepare or calibrate equipment used to collect or analyze samples.

To some OHS Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Verify availability or monitor use of safety equipment, such as hearing protection or respirators.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/occupational-health-and-safety-technicians.htm

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/occupational-health-and-safety-specialists.htm