Safety Coordinator vs. Safety Specialist: What Are the Differences?

A safe work environment is crucial for any business. To ensure workplace safety, many organizations employ safety coordinators and safety specialists. Though both of these positions are responsible for promoting safety in the workplace, there are several key differences between them. In this article, we discuss the job duties, qualifications and salary expectations for safety coordinators and safety specialists.

What is a Safety Coordinator?

Safety Coordinators are responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring safety programs in order to protect employees, equipment and company property. They collaborate with management to identify potential safety hazards and recommend solutions to mitigate risks. Safety Coordinators conduct regular safety audits, investigate accidents and incidents, and develop safety training programs. They also maintain safety records and prepare reports for upper management. Safety Coordinators typically work in manufacturing, construction or other industrial settings.

What is a Safety Specialist?

Safety Specialists are responsible for developing and implementing safety policies and procedures in workplaces to protect employees from injuries and accidents. They conduct safety audits and inspections to identify potential hazards and recommend corrective measures. Safety Specialists also develop and deliver safety training programs to educate employees on how to prevent accidents and injuries. They investigate accidents and incidents to determine the root cause and develop strategies to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Safety Specialists typically work in manufacturing, construction or other industrial environments.

Safety Coordinator vs. Safety Specialist

Here are the main differences between a safety coordinator and a safety specialist.

Job Duties

Safety coordinators typically have more responsibility than safety specialists. They’re in charge of creating and implementing a company’s safety policies, which means they decide what measures to take to ensure employee safety. Safety coordinators also oversee the implementation of these policies, checking that all employees understand and follow them.

Safety specialists perform duties related to their area of expertise. For example, if a company hired a safety specialist for its manufacturing division, they’d focus on ensuring the correct use of equipment and proper training procedures. They may also suggest new safety measures or evaluate current ones.

Job Requirements

Safety coordinators typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in safety management, engineering, occupational health or another related field. Some employers prefer candidates to have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required for entry-level positions. Additionally, many safety coordinators pursue certifications through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). The BCSP offers training programs that teach professionals how to identify and mitigate risks in the workplace.

Safety specialists typically need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in safety management, engineering, occupational health or another related field, but it is not always required. Additionally, many safety specialists pursue certifications through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NIOSH offers training programs that teach professionals how to identify and mitigate risks in the workplace.

Work Environment

Safety coordinators typically work in an office environment, but they may also travel to different locations. They often work full time and have regular hours. Safety specialists usually work in a laboratory or manufacturing setting. They may work irregular hours depending on the needs of their employer.

Safety coordinators may work with management teams to develop safety policies for their organization. They may also train employees on how to follow these policies. Safety specialists may work with other professionals to create new products that are safe for consumers.

Skills

Safety coordinators and safety specialists both need to have excellent communication skills. This is important because they need to be able to explain safety procedures to employees, provide training on safety protocols and document any incidents that occur. They also need to be able to work with other departments in a company to ensure that everyone is following the same safety procedures.

Safety coordinators typically need to have strong organizational skills. This is because they are responsible for creating and implementing safety plans, as well as keeping track of safety records. Safety specialists usually need to have strong analytical skills. This is because they often investigate accidents to determine what went wrong and how to prevent them from happening again in the future.

Salary

Safety coordinators can earn an average salary of $62,435 per year, while safety specialists can earn an average salary of $71,472 per year. Both of these average salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.