Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from an occupational health and safety specialist, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
Occupational health and safety specialists are responsible for ensuring that employees in a variety of workplaces are safe from potential hazards. They develop and implement safety policies and procedures, and may also investigate workplace accidents.
If you’re interviewing for an occupational health and safety specialist position, you can expect to answer questions about your experience and knowledge of safety procedures. You’ll also need to be able to articulate your understanding of the principles of risk assessment and hazard identification.
To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve gathered some common questions and answers that you can expect to be asked.
Employers may ask this question to see if you have any certifications that show your knowledge of occupational health and safety. If you are certified, explain what the certification is and how it relates to the job. If you aren’t certified, you can still answer this question by explaining which areas of occupational health and safety you’re familiar with.
Example: “I am not currently certified in any areas of occupational health and safety, but I do have a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety management. This education has given me a solid foundation in many aspects of occupational health and safety, including risk assessment, hazard prevention and mitigation, emergency response procedures and more.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of the industry and how you apply that knowledge to keep yourself and others safe. Use examples from your previous experience or research about common hazards in the industry to show your understanding of safety procedures.
Example: “The most common hazard I’ve seen in my career is improper lifting techniques, which can lead to back injuries. In my last position, I developed a training program for employees on proper lifting techniques and how to use equipment safely. This helped reduce employee injury rates by 50%.”
This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to manage employees and ensure they’re following safety protocols. Use examples from past experience where you helped an employee understand why a new policy or device was important for their own protection and that of others in the workplace.
Example: “In my last role, I had an employee who refused to wear his hard hat while working on site. He claimed it was too hot and uncomfortable to wear all day long. After talking with him about how wearing a hard hat could protect him from falling objects and other dangers on site, he agreed to start wearing it again. However, if he ever felt too hot or uncomfortable, he would take off the hard hat until he cooled down.”
The interviewer may ask you a question like this one to assess your knowledge of proper safety procedures. In your answer, describe the steps you would take when handling hazardous waste and how it affects the environment.
Example: “Hazardous waste is any material that can cause harm if not handled properly. To handle hazardous waste correctly, I first make sure to identify what type of waste it is. Then, I segregate the waste into different containers based on its classification. After that, I transport the waste to an appropriate disposal site where it will be treated or stored until it can be disposed of safely.”
An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from previous roles that highlight your ability to analyze risks, propose solutions and implement plans for improvement.
Example: “In my last role as an occupational health and safety specialist, I noticed a few employees were experiencing back pain while performing their jobs. After speaking with some of these employees, I learned they were using improper lifting techniques when moving heavy objects. To address this issue, I developed a training program on proper lifting techniques and implemented it throughout the company.”
An interviewer may ask this question to assess your communication skills and how you handle conflict. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic while also following protocol.
Example: “If an employee was injured on the job, I would first make sure they were receiving medical attention. Then, I would notify their supervisor so they could provide support for the employee. Finally, I would contact the company’s HR department to let them know what happened and ensure we followed all necessary protocols.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenging situations and whether you’re willing to speak up when necessary. In your answer, try to show that you value the safety of employees and are willing to take action if needed.
Example: “If I noticed an employee consistently working in a high-risk area, I would first approach them privately to discuss my concerns. If they didn’t change their behavior after our conversation, I would bring it to the attention of my supervisor so we could address the issue together. Ultimately, I want to ensure that all employees are safe while on the job.”
Employers ask this question to see if you would be a good fit for their company. They want someone who will work well with others and contribute positively to the workplace culture. When answering, think about what your ideal workplace is like. Try to describe it in detail so that the employer can get an idea of how you might fit into their organization.
Example: “I am very passionate about occupational health and safety. I love working in a team environment where we all support each other and are willing to help one another out. I also believe that humor is important at work. It helps us relax and have fun while still getting our work done. I feel like I would fit right in with your company’s culture.”
This is your chance to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the job. It’s also a good time to ask about any information you might have missed from the job listing or company website, such as benefits or training programs.
Example: “I noticed that this position comes with an excellent benefits package. I’m very excited to learn more about what those entail. Also, I was wondering if there were any opportunities for advancement within the occupational health and safety specialist role.”
This question is a basic knowledge test that the interviewer may ask to see if you have experience using PPE. Use your answer to highlight your ability to use proper safety equipment and follow OSHA regulations.
Example: “PPE stands for personal protective equipment, which are items like gloves, goggles and earplugs that help protect workers from injuries or illnesses while on the job. I always make sure my employees wear their PPE when they’re working in areas where there’s a risk of injury or illness. For example, if an employee was working with chemicals, I would require them to wear appropriate gloves and eyewear.”
An interviewer may ask this question to assess your communication skills and how you would approach a challenging task. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic and use different methods of communication to help employees understand the risks they face on the job.
Example: “I recently worked with an organization where we needed to educate employees about new regulations regarding workplace safety. I started by sending out an email outlining the changes and when they would take effect. Then, I scheduled a meeting so I could explain the changes in person. This helped me address any questions or concerns my team had and ensured everyone was prepared for the upcoming changes.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with machinery and how you use it. Use examples from previous jobs to describe what types of machinery you’ve used, how you operated them and any safety precautions you took when using them.
Example: “I have extensive experience working with industrial machinery. In my last role as an occupational health and safety specialist, I helped train employees on how to operate machinery safely. I also inspected machinery for potential hazards before workers used it. I always made sure that operators were familiar with the equipment they were using and understood all safety protocols.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that relate to this role. Use these examples to show the employer why you are qualified for this position.
Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this position because I have five years of experience in occupational health and safety. In my previous job, I was responsible for creating policies and procedures for employees who were injured on the job. I also helped create training programs for new hires so they could learn about workplace safety right away. These two things combined helped me reduce injuries by 20% within six months.”
This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience and how it relates to their industry. Use this opportunity to highlight any unique or impressive experiences you’ve had in the past, especially if they relate to the job description.
Example: “I have extensive experience working with construction sites, but I also worked as an occupational health and safety specialist for a large manufacturing company. In my role there, I helped develop new policies and procedures that improved employee safety and reduced workplace injuries by 20%. This was one of my favorite roles because I got to work closely with employees to improve their quality of life while improving the bottom line.”
This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a professional and understand your values. Your answer can also tell them what you value in this role, so it’s important to be honest about what you think is most important.
Example: “I believe that safety should always come first when working in any environment. I’ve seen too many accidents happen because someone was trying to rush through their work or didn’t take the time to do things right. Safety is something we have control over, but if we don’t prioritize it, there are no other options. That’s why I make sure my team understands how important safety is to me.”
Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of conducting regular safety inspections. They want to know that you will be thorough and consistent in your work. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time frame or how often you conducted inspections at your previous job.
Example: “I think it’s important to conduct safety inspections regularly. I usually do them every two weeks, but if there is an issue with equipment or other hazards, I’ll do one sooner. It’s always better to check things out before they become more serious.”
This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you would apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you are willing to learn new technologies and implement them into your work.
Example: “I think it’s important to always keep up with new technology because it could make employees safer. I would first research the technology and see if there were any studies or reports on its safety. If not, I would ask my manager for permission to test out the technology and use it as part of our occupational health and safety program.”