17 Health And Safety Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Health and safety engineers develop procedures and design systems to protect people from illness and injury and property from damage. They combine knowledge of engineering and of health and safety to make sure that chemicals, machinery, software, furniture, and other products will not cause harm to people or damage to property.

To become a health and safety engineer, you need a bachelor’s degree in health and safety engineering or in a related engineering discipline, such as mechanical or industrial engineering. Many health and safety engineers have a master’s degree in health physics, environmental health, industrial hygiene, or occupational safety.

When interviewing for a health and safety engineering job, you will be asked a variety of questions about your educational background, work experience, and technical knowledge. You may also be asked behavioral interview questions about your ability to work independently, handle stress, and make decisions.

Preparing for your interview by reviewing common health and safety engineer interview questions and answers will help you ace your interview and get the job.

Are you familiar with the various types of safety equipment that can be used in the workplace?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of the different types of safety equipment that are available and how they can be used in various work environments. Use your answer to highlight your understanding of the different types of safety equipment, including their functions and when they should be used.

Example: “There are many different types of safety equipment that I am familiar with, including personal protective equipment, fall protection equipment, respiratory protection equipment and eye protection equipment. Each type of equipment is designed for specific purposes, so it’s important to understand what each piece of equipment does before using it. For example, respirators are only effective if they’re properly fitted to the user.”

What are some of the most important factors that health and safety engineers should consider when designing a new workplace or facility?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the industry and how you apply it in your work. In your answer, try to highlight some of the most important factors that engineers should consider when designing a workplace or facility. You can also use this opportunity to show your creativity by sharing an example of a time you applied these factors successfully.

Example: “The first thing I would consider is the safety equipment available at the facility. For instance, if there are no fire extinguishers on site, then I would make sure to include them in my design. Another factor I would take into account is the layout of the facility. If employees have to walk through dangerous areas to get to their workspace, then I would ensure that they had safe routes to follow. Finally, I would think about the lighting situation at the facility. Poor lighting can lead to accidents, so I would want to make sure that all areas were well-lit.”

How do you think the role of health and safety engineers will change in the next ten years?

Employers may ask this question to see how you think about your field’s future. They want to know that you’re excited about the role of health and safety engineers in the workplace, and they also want to make sure you have a realistic idea of what the future might look like for this position. In your answer, try to show that you are passionate about this career path while also being realistic about its potential growth.

Example: “I believe the role of health and safety engineer will continue to grow as more companies realize the importance of having someone on staff who can ensure their employees’ well-being. I think we’ll start seeing more small businesses hiring health and safety engineers because it’s an important part of running a successful company. I’m excited to be at the forefront of this movement.”

What is your process for investigating an accident or incident?

Interviewers may ask this question to understand how you approach your work and the steps you take. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to analyze data and attention to detail.

Example: “I start by reviewing all of the information I can find about the incident or accident. This includes any reports from employees who were on site at the time, as well as any documentation that was filed after the event. From there, I try to determine what factors contributed to the situation. For example, if an employee fell off a ladder while cleaning windows, I would look into whether they had proper training for the job and whether the equipment they used was in good condition. After gathering all of this information, I meet with management to discuss my findings and develop a plan to prevent similar incidents from happening again.”

Provide an example of a time when you made a recommendation that improved workplace safety.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your experience as a health and safety engineer. They want to know how you apply your skills to improve the workplace for employees. In your answer, describe a specific situation in which you helped an organization implement new policies or procedures that improved employee safety.

Example: “In my previous role, I noticed that many of our facilities had issues with their lighting systems. Some areas were too bright while others were dim. This created problems because it made some areas difficult to see. To address this issue, I worked with management to create a plan to replace all of the lighting systems at each facility. We implemented these changes over time so we could save money on maintenance costs.”

If hired, what would be your priorities during your first few months on the job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you plan to contribute to the company’s success. In your answer, try to highlight some of your skills and what you hope to accomplish in a short amount of time. You can also mention any goals you have for yourself or the department as a whole.

Example: “My first priority would be to get familiar with the current processes and procedures within the health and safety department. I want to make sure that everyone knows who I am and that I’m here to help them succeed. After getting acclimated, I’d like to review our training manuals and see if there are any areas we can improve upon. For example, maybe we should add more videos to our online training modules so employees can watch them at their own pace.”

What would you do if you noticed a coworker violating safety procedures?

Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle a situation where someone is not following safety procedures. They want to see that you can use your communication skills and problem-solving abilities to help resolve the issue in a way that helps everyone stay safe while also maintaining good relationships with coworkers.

Example: “If I noticed a coworker violating safety procedures, I would first try to speak with them privately about it. If they are aware of their mistake but simply forgot, then I would explain why what they did was unsafe and offer to show them the proper procedure. If they are unaware of the danger or refuse to listen to me, then I would report the violation to my supervisor so they could take appropriate action.”

How well do you communicate with other professionals, such as safety inspectors and engineers?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your communication skills and how well you work with others. Use examples from past experiences where you collaborated with other professionals to complete projects or tasks.

Example: “I have worked with several safety inspectors in the past, and I find that we can often collaborate on projects together. For example, when I was working for my previous employer, I had to create an emergency evacuation plan for a large shopping mall. The company hired a safety inspector to check our plans before they implemented them. We both reviewed each other’s plans and made changes as needed until we were both satisfied with the final product.”

Do you have any experience using safety software or other tools to analyze workplace hazards?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this one to learn more about your experience using specific tools or software that helps you analyze workplace hazards. Use your answer to explain which safety software or tools you have used in the past and what benefits they offer.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of software for analyzing workplace hazards, including some free online resources and paid programs. I find that these tools are helpful because they allow me to quickly assess potential risks at work sites and develop strategies for preventing accidents before they occur. Some of my favorite software include SafetyPro, which is an affordable program that allows me to create checklists and track data on hazardous conditions, and iHazard, which provides detailed information on OSHA regulations.”

When performing risk assessments, how do you determine the probability of an accident occurring and its severity?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your decision-making process and how it relates to the overall health and safety of employees. Use examples from past projects to explain how you make these assessments, especially if they relate to the job description or company values.

Example: “I first determine the probability of an accident occurring by assessing the likelihood that certain factors will lead to accidents. For example, in my last role, I was tasked with performing risk assessments for all areas of the hospital. After conducting interviews with staff members, I learned that there were several high-risk areas where accidents could occur. These included the emergency room, operating rooms and patient care units.

Next, I determined the severity of each accident based on the potential injuries that could result from them. In the case of the emergency room, for instance, I found that many accidents involved patients falling out of their beds while being treated. This led me to implement additional measures to ensure the safety of our patients.”

We want to be proactive about preventing accidents. How would you approach this goal if hired?

Employers want to know that you can help their company avoid accidents and injuries. They may ask this question to see how you plan to implement your safety strategies. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the workplace is safe for employees. Show them that you value employee health and well-being.

Example: “I believe in a proactive approach to preventing accidents. I would start by conducting thorough risk assessments of all areas where employees work. Then, I would create a list of ways we could prevent these risks from occurring. For example, if I found that there were too many people working in one area, I would suggest hiring more staff or creating new positions so everyone has enough space to do their job.”

Describe your experience with using statistical analysis tools.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using specific tools in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight any statistical analysis software you’ve used before and discuss how it helped you complete projects or tasks.

Example: “I have extensive experience using Microsoft Excel for data analysis, which I use to create charts and graphs that help me understand trends within large sets of data. In my last role, I used these tools to analyze employee safety records and identify areas where we could improve our policies and procedures. This information allowed us to make changes to our health and safety training programs and implement new equipment to reduce injuries.”

What makes you a good fit for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel about the job. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are qualified for this role. Think about what skills you have that match the job description. Also, think about which aspects of the job interest you most. Try to connect these things with your own personal experiences.

Example: “I am a good fit for this position because I am passionate about health and safety in the workplace. In my last role, I noticed that employees were not using their fall protection equipment correctly. I developed an educational program to teach employees how to use the equipment safely. This helped reduce injuries by 50%.”

Which industries do you have the most experience in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it relates to their industry. Use this opportunity to highlight any unique or relevant skills you have that would be beneficial in this role.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily with construction companies, but I also have experience working with manufacturing plants and warehouses. These industries all share similar safety concerns, so my knowledge of OSHA regulations is applicable across these industries. In fact, I helped a construction company reduce its injury rate by 50% after implementing some changes based on my recommendations from an inspection.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a health and safety engineer to have?

Employers ask this question to see if you have the skills they’re looking for in a candidate. They want someone who can perform their job well and keep employees safe. When answering, think about what skills you have that make you qualified for the role. Try to choose a skill that is relevant to the position.

Example: “I believe the most important skill for a health and safety engineer is communication. It’s essential to be able to clearly explain complex ideas to others. I also think it’s important to listen to other people’s opinions. This helps me understand different perspectives and find solutions that work for everyone. Finally, I think problem-solving skills are important because there will always be challenges when working on projects.”

How often do you update safety procedures and check for any changes in regulations?

Employers want to know that you’re committed to keeping up with the latest developments in your field. They also want to make sure you have a good understanding of how to apply new regulations and procedures to their company’s existing safety protocols. Your answer should show that you are dedicated to learning about changes in health and safety regulations, as well as how to implement them into your work.

Example: “I subscribe to several newsletters and online publications that keep me informed of any recent developments in my field. I also attend conferences and seminars where experts discuss the most current information on health and safety regulations. I find this helps me stay up-to-date on the best ways to apply these regulations to my work.”

There is a new technology that could make the workplace safer. How would you research and implement it?

Employers ask this question to see if you are up-to-date on the latest workplace safety technologies. They want to know that you can research and implement new ideas into your work. In your answer, explain how you would find out about the technology and what steps you would take to make it a part of your company’s health and safety plan.

Example: “I would first do some research online to learn more about the technology. I would then speak with my supervisor or other engineers who have experience implementing new technologies. Together, we would decide whether the technology is something our company could use. If so, we would create a budget for the project and develop a timeline for implementation.”