Health and safety generalists
Generalist Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professionals work to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of people in the workplace using a mix of core technical competencies and interpersonal skills such as facilitation, engagement, leadership and influencing. The management of psychosocial risk is also an aspect of the OHS role.
It is a multi-disciplinary profession which requires a mixture of formal training and practical experience. OHS professionals work closely with other specialists including Safety Engineers, Occupational Hygienists, Ergonomists, and Occupational Health professionals.
Some generalists 'cut their teeth' as a Health & Safety Rep, representing their co-workers on Health & Safety matters at their place of work. Others head straight to tertiary education or move sideways from a different business area altogether. There is no single path. At the end of the day, NZISM accredited members need a mix of both practical experience and qualifications.
Job prospects
Job prospects for OHS professionals are above average, and wages are very good. New Zealand has a poor workplace health and safety performance record and both Government and industry are actively trying to reduce serious work-related incidents.
Salaries
OHS practitioners are sought after and well paid. You can look through recent salary research below:
2024 Safeguard Annual Income Survey (You are able to request a free sample of Safeguard Magazine.)
What we do
It is a lot more interesting than hi-vis vests and a checklist. It's about helping to look after a company's most valuable asset - its people.
OHS professionals work to promote health and safety in the workplace and public places to ensure that working conditions are safe and healthy and comply with legal requirements. This is done using core technical competencies and interpersonal skills including facilitation, engagement, leadership and influencing skills.
This type of work includes providing identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring hazards and risks, completing risk assessments, investigating incidents, return to work and rehabilitation, training managers and employees, developing health and safety management systems, policies and procedures, auditing, and contractor management.
Other technical skills include hazardous substances management, machinery and equipment safety, fire safety and ventilation and knowledge of organisational behaviour, occupational health and hygiene, occupational psychology (human factors) and ergonomics.
Qualifications
Looking to begin your journey in occupational health and safety? A range of education providers across New Zealand offer OHS courses to help you get started.
To support your decision-making, NZISM has developed downloadable resources (below) that highlight tertiary programmes which can lead to NZISM accreditation. Focusing on NZQA Level 6 and above, the brochure compares course content, duration, and fees across providers. While it was published in December 2020 and offerings may have evolved since, it remains a valuable starting point for exploring your options and making informed enquiries.