Occupational health and safety inspector
Also known as: HSE inspector, environmental health officer, safety officer, factory inspector, regulatory health and safety inspector, workplace health and safety inspector
About this occupation
Occupational health and safety inspectors perform workplace audits to ensure compliance with government and environment legislation. They also investigate work accidents. Occupational health and safety inspectors interview employees to ensure the work environment is compliant with health and safety rules, inspect the physical work site and analyse legal paperwork.
Essential skills and knowledge
- conduct research interview
- audit techniques
- health and safety regulations
- monitor legislation developments
- identify hazards in the workplace
- conduct workplace audits
- risk management
- interview techniques
- communicate health and safety measures
- health, safety and hygiene legislation
- advise on risk management
- identify policy breach
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Occupational Health and Safety Specialists (O*NET 19-5011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
- Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans.
- Order suspension of activities that pose threats to workers' health or safety.
- Investigate accidents to identify causes or to determine how such accidents might be prevented in the future.
- Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
- Collect samples of dust, gases, vapors, or other potentially toxic materials for analysis.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness
US median pay: US$90,150 a year (2025), 140,610 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.9)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.8)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (3.6)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.5)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.3)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Security Management Specialists
- Security Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.