Workplace Safety Expert offers consulting services on a range of issues. They can advise on occupational health and safety standards, safety training, hazard identification and prevention.
These professionals also offer litigation support, deposition and trial for both plaintiff and defense attorneys. They have extensive experience in DOL OSHA regulations, accident analysis and root cause, evaluating safety compliance and violations.
Background
The work of a workplace safety expert involves identifying and mitigating hazards to human health. These professionals work in a wide range of industries, from construction to office environments, and are concerned with processes that minimize occupational injuries and illnesses. Occupational safety and health (OSH) experts also advise companies about their management processes, helping them to ensure a safe, healthy and productive environment.
The traditional or core OSH professions include occupational safety, industrial hygiene and occupational medicine (OM). These are the occupations that are primarily concerned with preventing traumatic injury and death. Other professions with an important role in the field are occupational health nurses, ergonomists and occupational health psychologists. These are the occupations that are mainly concerned with detecting and assessing chemical, biological, physical and emotional risks to health.
In a survey conducted by the American Society of Safety Engineers, it was found that occupational safety professionals spend about half of their time on activities described as “safety management.” These include safety programs and policies, hazard identification, accident investigation and emergency response plans. These are primarily administrative activities, but the survey also found that SPs devote about 8 percent of their time to technical issues related to specific sites and a variety of work tasks.
These technical issues can include problems with a machine or piece of equipment, fires and explosions, handling of flammable, explosive or toxic materials, working with pressures, weights, heat or fluids, movement or vibration, radiation (ionizing and nonionizing) and improper lifting, bending or stretching.
In addition to these administrative and technical duties, a workplace safety expert must be able to analyze the causes of accidents that have occurred. This requires a high degree of logic and reasoning, the ability to survey a work site, find connections between seemingly unrelated incidents, and make recommendations that will prevent future accidents. In addition, they must be able to explain complex technical subjects in an understandable and convincing manner. This is particularly important when giving testimony in a court of law. This is the main reason why it is so important to hire an expert witness with a solid background and proven track record of success.
Experience
Having the right amount of experience is critical for any workplace safety expert. Ideally, the candidate has more than a decade of experience in their field. This enables them to provide accurate and insightful opinions, based on their extensive knowledge of the relevant regulations and standards. They should also be familiar with the most common hazards and risks associated with their area of expertise.
During an accident investigation, they must be able to identify and determine whether the safety protocols were followed properly and if the incident could have been prevented by other measures. Similarly, they should be familiar with how to conduct risk assessments, and what the best practices are for any given workplace environment.
In addition to ensuring that employees are following governmental health and safety regulations, the work of a workplace safety specialist often requires them to inspect various work areas to assess the overall working conditions. This means they should have a high level of physical stamina, as well as good written and verbal communication skills.
A career as a workplace safety expert can be challenging and highly rewarding. It is a great opportunity for anyone who is passionate about creating and implementing important workplace policies. This job is also a great fit for anyone who has a keen eye for detail and a strong sense of responsibility.
A candidate who has a background in occupational health, human factors, environmental health, or safety management will have the most valuable qualifications for this position. They may be a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). They must have experience analyzing work environments and providing recommendations to improve the safety of workers. They also need to have the ability to handle stress and a high volume of work. Lastly, they need to be comfortable giving public presentations. The most qualified candidates have a track record of success in managing OSHA-related matters and providing expert witness testimony.
Credentials
A career as an occupational health and safety expert requires a specific education. Entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree, while some senior roles may require a master’s degree. The type of degree depends on the environment in which a person works. Regardless of the degree level, employers usually expect extensive knowledge of government regulations, safety protocols and industry specific issues and trends.
Those who work as occupational safety and health specialists must also obtain certification. The credentials for these professionals vary, but some examples include the American Board of Health Physicists, the American Indoor Air Quality Council, the American Board of Industrial Hygiene and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
Some experts have additional qualifications that help them stand out in the field, such as having a background in a specific industry or having specialized training in an area such as food safety. In addition, a safety and health expert should have good written communication skills to document their findings.
Safety and health expert witnesses work closely with attorneys on legal cases that involve workplace injuries or accidents. In these cases, they offer testimony on whether or not proper safety procedures were in place and provide insight into the cause of an incident.
In addition to working in a variety of industries, these experts often have a background in environmental health, engineering, safety management or civil engineering. They also have a background in OSHA codes and standards, accident investigations and failure analysis. Many have a background as professional engineers or have advanced degrees in their areas of expertise.
A safety and health expert witness is a valuable asset for any law firm. Attorneys are encouraged to discuss their search criteria with a Cahn Litigation Services team member, as we have the experience and resources to conduct a thorough expert witness search that is customized to an attorney’s precise specifications and preferences. To get started, contact a Cahn representative today. A representative will review your case and provide a list of appropriate expert candidates for your consideration. You can then schedule a phone or in-person consultation to meet with one of our experts.
Communication
A workplace safety expert needs excellent communication skills to effectively relay information to workers, especially during emergency situations. They must be able to clearly explain protocols and procedures, including any changes in those policies, to ensure that employees understand them. Likewise, they should be able to listen to worker feedback and address any concerns in a timely manner.
Employees are often the best source of information on safety matters, as they are most familiar with the workplace conditions and can offer insights into the effectiveness of a given policy or procedure. This is why it’s important to incorporate worker input into the development of new safety protocols, so that those policies can be as effective as possible in preventing accidents and injuries.
In addition, employees should be encouraged to report any hazards they observe or suspect, and to feel comfortable raising their hands or stopping work when they encounter a potential risk. This is the only way to truly identify issues that can lead to injuries or accidents, and to make necessary adjustments in procedures and training.
Supervisors also play a key role in workplace safety, as they are the link between management and the workforce. Educating supervisors on the importance of effective communication with their staff and how to convey clear, concise messages can help them foster better teamwork and improve employee performance, as well as facilitate the attainment of company goals.
To enhance the effectiveness of employee safety communications, employers should use precise language and structure content logically for clarity, and include diagrams or charts for ease of understanding by all levels of literacy. The tone of these communications should be welcoming and encouraging, promoting the sense that all employees are a part of a team, and that the organization is committed to safety. Lastly, employers should provide accessible resources for workers who may need assistance with reading and understanding information.
Finally, technology is a useful tool for disseminating safety information quickly and efficiently. Platforms like intranet forums and employee-facing apps can give workers easy access to the latest updates on safety protocols, ensuring that they are always up-to-date.