17 Ehs Technician Interview Questions and Answers

EHS technicians work in a variety of industries to ensure that the workplace meets all safety and health regulations. They are responsible for conducting safety audits, investigating accidents, and developing safety programs.

If you’re applying for an EHS technician job, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the most common EHS technician interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next job interview.

Are you familiar with the OSHA regulations for your industry?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that oversees workplace safety. Employers may ask this question to make sure you understand the regulations for your industry and how they apply to your job. Before your interview, review any information about OSHA’s regulations for your industry. If you have not reviewed these regulations yet, let the employer know that you are willing to do so before your start date.

Example: “I am familiar with the OSHA regulations for my industry. I worked in construction for several years, and we had to follow many of the same rules as other industries. For example, I know that construction workers must wear hard hats at all times while on site. I also know that there are specific guidelines for scaffolding and ladders.”

What are some of the most important safety procedures you’ve taught to employees?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re committed to the safety of your students and colleagues. In your answer, explain how you ensure everyone is following proper procedures in the workplace. Make sure to include specific examples of what you taught others and how it benefited them or the company.

Example: “I believe that safety should be a top priority for anyone working with hazardous materials. I always made sure my team members were wearing appropriate protective gear when handling chemicals. I also stressed the importance of keeping all dangerous substances locked up so they couldn’t be accessed by unauthorized people. These two things helped keep our facility safe from accidents and ensured we didn’t have any major issues during my time there.”

How would you handle an employee who consistently ignored safety protocols?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the authority and confidence to discipline your coworkers when necessary. In your answer, show that you can be firm but fair with your employees while still maintaining a positive work environment.

Example: “I would first meet with them privately to discuss their actions and remind them of our company’s policies. If they continued to ignore safety protocols after the private meeting, I would hold another meeting with them in front of their manager and other coworkers so everyone could see what was happening. This way, my coworker knows there are consequences for their actions and others learn from the situation.”

What is your process for identifying and assessing workplace hazards?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to identify and evaluate workplace hazards. Use examples from previous experience in which you assessed a hazard, determined its severity and implemented a plan of action for addressing it.

Example: “In my last role as an ehs technician, I noticed that the facility was experiencing frequent electrical issues. After conducting an assessment of the entire building, I discovered that many of the outlets were loose. I reported this issue to management so they could address it before someone got hurt. They replaced all of the outlets throughout the facility.”

Provide an example of a time when you successfully implemented a change in your workplace that improved safety.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the change you made and how it improved safety. This can help interviewers understand your ability to make improvements in a workplace environment.

Example: “In my last position as an ehs technician, I noticed that our facility was using outdated equipment for some of our testing procedures. For example, we were still using paper records to track employee exposure to hazardous materials. I brought up the issue with management and they agreed that updating our systems would improve efficiency and safety. We purchased new software that tracked employees’ exposure levels and implemented digital recordkeeping methods. These changes helped us reduce errors and ensure compliance with regulations.”

If you discovered a violation of OSHA regulations during an inspection, how would you handle it?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that oversees workplace safety. Employers may ask this question to make sure you understand OSHA regulations and how to comply with them. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the violation was corrected.

Example: “If I discovered a violation of OSHA regulations during an inspection, I would first document it in my report. Then, I would inform the employer about the violation and give them a deadline for correcting it. If they did not correct the violation by the deadline, I would follow up with the employer again. If they still had not fixed the issue, I would refer the case to OSHA.”

What would you do if you suspected an equipment malfunction that could lead to an accident?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenging situations and make decisions. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to collaborate with others and commitment to safety.

Example: “If I suspected a malfunction that could lead to an accident, I would immediately report it to my supervisor or manager so they can address it as soon as possible. If I’m working onsite when I notice something wrong, I’ll alert my team members and ask them to stop using the equipment until we figure out what’s going on. Then, I’ll notify management of the situation so they can take appropriate action.”

How well do you communicate with both technical and non-technical personnel?

EHS technicians often work with a variety of people, including other technicians and engineers. Employers ask this question to make sure you can communicate effectively in both written and verbal forms. Use your answer to show that you are confident in your communication skills. Explain how you use these skills to collaborate with others and solve problems.

Example: “I have always been good at communicating with others. I find it easy to explain technical information to non-technical personnel because I try to keep my explanations simple. When working with other technicians or engineers, I am very open to their ideas and suggestions. I feel like having an open dialogue is the best way to come up with solutions to complex problems. In fact, I once solved a problem by listening to another technician’s idea.”

Do you have any experience using safety equipment diagnostics tools?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a variety of tools and equipment. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your skills, knowledge and abilities when it comes to using diagnostic tools.

Example: “In my last position as an EHS technician, I used several different types of safety equipment diagnostics tools including infrared thermometers, gas detectors and sound level meters. These tools are important for ensuring that all employees have access to safe work environments and equipment. In one instance, I was working on a construction site where there were multiple gas leaks. Using the gas detector tool, I was able to locate the source of the leak and fix the problem before anyone got hurt.”

When performing an equipment inspection, what is your process for checking each component?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform equipment inspections. Use examples from previous experience to explain how you would complete this task in a timely manner.

Example: “I first check for any obvious damage, such as dents or cracks. Then I use my tools to test each component of the piece of equipment. For example, when inspecting a boiler, I will make sure it’s heating up properly by checking the temperature gauge. If there are no issues with the boiler, then I’ll move on to the next step. However, if there are problems with any components, I will note them so they can be addressed later.”

We want to improve our safety record by encouraging employees to report hazards. How would you encourage employees to report safety issues?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn how you would encourage your team members to report safety issues. Your answer should show that you value the importance of reporting hazards and are willing to help employees feel comfortable doing so.

Example: “I believe it’s important for everyone on a construction site to feel safe, which is why I would make sure my team knows they can come to me with any concerns about safety. If an employee feels unsafe or notices something that could cause harm, I want them to know that I will take their concern seriously and do everything in my power to ensure their safety. To encourage employees to report hazards, I would hold regular meetings where we discuss our safety record and what steps we’re taking to improve it.”

Describe your experience with using safety software.

Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience using safety software and that you know how to use it correctly. When answering, explain your experience with the software and what you like about it. If you don’t have any experience using safety software, talk about your ability to learn new programs quickly.

Example: “I’ve used safety software in my previous job as an ehs technician. I really enjoy working with the program because it makes my job so much easier. It’s a great way for me to keep track of all the different tasks I need to complete each day. The system is also very user-friendly, which means I can teach other employees how to use it.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, it’s important to highlight your relevant skills and experience while also showing that you’re excited about the opportunity.

Example: “I have a background in construction, so I understand how important safety is when working on a site. In my last role, I was responsible for ensuring all of our equipment was safe before use, which helped me develop an eye for spotting potential issues. This skill has proven useful in my current position as well, where I’ve noticed several safety concerns with coworkers’ equipment and reported them to management.”

Which industries do you have the most experience in?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your background and experience. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the industries you have worked in and what types of projects you completed while working there.

Example: “I’ve spent most of my career working in construction sites as an EHS technician. I enjoy being able to work with different teams on various projects and help them stay safe throughout the day. However, I also have some experience working in warehouses where I helped ensure employees were following safety protocols.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being an EHS technician?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what it takes to be successful in this role. Your answer should include a few key responsibilities of the job and how you would approach them.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of being an EHS technician is ensuring that all employees are safe at work. I take my responsibility seriously, so I always make sure to follow safety protocols and procedures. I also ensure that any equipment or facilities we use meet safety standards. In addition, I am committed to keeping our records up-to-date and accurate. This helps me monitor compliance with regulations and makes sure we’re following best practices.”

How often do you perform equipment inspections?

This question can help the interviewer determine how familiar you are with equipment inspection procedures. It can also show them whether you have performed inspections in your previous role and if you understand what is involved in performing an inspection. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific equipment that you regularly inspect or any special training you may have received for inspecting equipment.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for performing equipment inspections on a monthly basis. This included checking all of our emergency exits, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment. I also inspected our electrical equipment, including circuit breakers and fuses, as well as gas equipment, such as furnaces and stoves.”

There is a violation on an inspection, but it’s not due until next week. What is your process for handling this?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and prioritize your work. Your answer should show the interviewer that you can be flexible, communicate well with others and manage multiple tasks at once.

Example: “If there’s a violation on an inspection but it’s not due for another week or so, I would first speak with my supervisor about what we could do to fix the issue before the deadline. If they agree, then I would immediately start working on fixing the problem. If they don’t want me to take care of it until later, then I would make sure to write down all the details of the situation in case I need to refer back to them later.”