Additional Information
If you think you might like to become one of these unsung heroes, get in
touch with one in your community. Ask to tag along for part of a day and see
what the job really involves. You can contact a local safety association or
any institution where safety supervisors work on staff.
You don't become a safety supervisor overnight; you should be prepared
to spend some time training to work in this field.
While there are no official requirements for safety supervisors, most working
today have university degrees in engineering, sciences or health care, combined
with specialized training or even graduate degrees in occupational health
and safety.
Bachelor's degrees in science, engineering or nursing take approximately
four years to complete and are available across the United States.
At the very least, safety supervisors have some kind of medical background,
combined with college- or industry-sponsored courses in occupational safety.
While it's not necessary, certification from local safety councils and
associations is recommended. This usually involves completing a short training
program and passing an exam. You can find out more through your local safety
association or council.
"You don't need certification to work in this field; however, it's seen
as a very good thing to have," says safety supervisor Julia Lewis.
Even after your training, you should also expect to start out as a safety
officer before moving up to a supervisor's position.
"Most people put in time as safety officers or inspectors before becoming
supervisors," says Dave Dietsch at the University of Maryland.
Finally, once a person becomes a safety supervisor, they must continually
update their knowledge through study and organized courses.