High School

While in high school, take classes that will prepare you for a two-year industrial safety and health program at a technical or community college. Recommended courses include English with special emphasis on writing and speech, algebra, and science classes with laboratory study. Other valuable courses are computer science, shop, and mechanical drawing.

Postsecondary Training

Many aspiring technicians complete a two-year program in industrial safety and health, which involves intensive classroom study with equally intensive laboratory study. In fact, students will typically spend more time in the laboratory than the classroom.

The first year of study usually includes fundamentals of fire protection, safety and health regulations and codes, advanced first aid, and record keeping. The second year typically covers industrial chemical hazards, materials handling and storage, environmental health, sanitation and public health, and disaster preparedness.

If you plan to advance from the position of technician, a four-year degree is recommended. According to the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, more than 90 percent of those in industrial safety positions have earned a bachelor's degree.

Certification

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the American Society of Safety Engineers provide safety training programs to corporate employees and the general public. After course completion, participants receive an official certificate.

Other Education or Training

The American Board of Industrial Hygiene, American Industrial Hygiene Association, American Society of Safety Professionals, and other organizations provide continuing education classes, webinars, and workshops. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals offers certification to technicians. They may earn these and other credentials: certified safety professional, construction health and safety technician, occupational hygiene and safety technician certification, and safety trained supervisor certification. Though not required, certification has many advantages. The board reports that certified professionals earn higher salaries than those who are not certified.

The American Board of Industrial Hygiene offers certification to those with a bachelor's degree, who have at least four years of experience, pass an examination, and meet other requirements. 

Other Requirements

Physical requirements for this career include strong eyesight and adequate physical strength and coordination. Color blindness can be a limiting factor because most factories or industrial plants have color-coded wiring and piping systems. Adequate hearing is needed to interpret normal and abnormal sounds in the workplace that might indicate potential health or safety hazards.

Having a background in specialized work specific to the industry, such as welding or machining, might be helpful as you search for a job. Any internship experience will also be valuable.  

Industrial health and safety technicians should have a thorough knowledge of safe practices in industrial organizations. They need to be in good physical shape with excellent eyesight and hearing, detail-oriented, and willing to work as members of a team. Technicians should be good teachers who can train employees in safety practices; they should be able to evaluate industrial operations and spot possible safety hazards; and they must be skilled at writing reports that describe these hazards and offer recommendations for eliminating them.

Technicians must be able to make careful, systematic, step-by-step analyses of possible industrial accidents or illness in many different kinds of workplaces. As a result, they should be patient and thorough in their work. Careful inspections protect the health and lives of hundreds of workers.