MONEY MATTERS: Becoming A Certified Safety Officer For Higher Income

The responsibilities of a Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) inspector in an organisation revolve around ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations and promoting a safe and healthy work environment.

Findings by LEADERSHIP Weekend revealed that this is quite a lucrative occupation that a lot of people are not paying attention to. This is even as the industrial, technical, engineering, manufacturing and construction sectors are in need of HSE inspectors.

Speaking with a certified HSE Inspector with over a decade of experience as a safety inspector, Mr. Michael Ogunrinola said, the occupation can be with any educational background across Science, Social-Science and Art and with that, you can kick-start a career in the Health, Safety and Environmental space as long as their exist a passion to attain the height in the profession.

He narrated that, one of the ways to start the safety profession is by undertaking the Level 1 to 2 safety courses for undergraduates while Level 3 is for graduates courses of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), thereby, attaining the institute’s membership.

However, he stated that, for an international general certificate, the NEBOSH certification can be taken as an In-Person Training fee cost of about N200,000 and certificates cost £205 as this enhances international recognition.

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He advised that, for anyone who could not afford the cost of the NEBOSH certification, another certification is Ithe Institute of Occupational Safety and Health(IOSH) referred to as IHOS managing safely with a training fees of N150,000 and Certification fee of £125.

While adding that there exist other service providers for the training courses and a variety of courses like that of the scaffolding inspector for high-rise buildings, Ogunrinola states that, the exams are mostly in parts. Part A theory form and Pard B are practical where scenarios will be created and the students will have to describe and show how to curtail such scenarios.

To have a thriving career in the Health and Safety, Environmental field, there are some key responsibilities that must be adhered to by the inspector which include:

Regulatory Compliance: HSE inspectors monitor and enforce compliance with local, national, and international health, safety, and environmental regulations, standards, and codes of practice. They ensure that the organisation meets all legal requirements related to workplace safety, fire protection, hazardous materials handling, waste disposal, and environmental policies.

Inspections and Audits:The safety inspector must conduct regular inspections and audits of the workplace to identify hazards, potential risks, and non-compliance with safety standards. This may involve reviewing documentation, interviewing employees, and conducting physical assessments.

Incident Investigation: When workplace accidents, incidents, or near-misses occur, HSE inspectors investigate the root causes. They analyze incident reports, conduct interviews, gather evidence, and identify contributing factors to prevent future incidents and improve safety procedures and policies.

Risk Assessments: HSE inspectors are tasked to assess and evaluate potential risks and hazards within the organization. They identify safety hazards, exposure to harmful substances, ergonomic issues, and potential environmental impacts to develop control measures and recommend improvements.

Training and Education: As part of its safety responsibilities, HSE Inspectors should provide training and education to employees on safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and the proper handling of hazardous materials and promote a culture of safety within the organization.

Safety Policies and Procedures:The safety officer must develop, review, and update safety policies, procedures, and guidelines. They ensure that the organization has appropriate safety protocols in place and that these documents align with legal requirements and industry best practices.

Collaboration and Communication: HSE inspectors collaborate with managers, and supervisors for Continuous Improvement to stay updated with industry standards and technological advancements to implement innovative safety practices.

Emergency Response Planning: HSE inspectors contribute to emergency response planning by assisting in the development of evacuation plans, emergency procedures, and response protocols. They collaborate with emergency services and provide guidance on handling regulations or safety initiatives.

Profitability

Overall, a certified Safety Health and Environmental Inspector can earn monthly, between N300,000 to N600,000 or even more depending on the organisation while N120,000 upward is for intermediate level.