Careers in OHS

Careers in Safety

A career in OHS can lead to a wide range of opportunities. OHS professionals work across all industry sectors, and all types of organizations including government, private sector, not-for-profit/associations, and as consultants and entrepreneurs. OHS professionals work in a variety of workplace roles, including as health and safety consultants and coordinators, quality assurance professionals, health and safety officers, safety inspectors, safety specialists, and leaders in occupational health and safety in executive management, or academic roles.

A Rewarding Career

91.6% of OHS professionals report being satisfied or very satisfied with their career.* It's rewarding to know that you are a major team contributor ensuring a positive and safe work environment so that workers get home safe at the end of each day. OHS professionals add value and make a positive impact on their communities by looking out for the health and safety of all workers.

What do I need to Know to Work in OHS?

Technical Knowledge/Education

There are many post-secondary programs in occupational health and safety at colleges and universities across Canada. Programs range from part-time certificates to bachelor's or post-graduate degrees in OHS.

Skills

In addition to technical knowledge of occupational health and safety work, personal and professional skills are vital attributes for working on OHS. Communication, problem solving and critical thinking, teamwork, negotiation, conflict management, project and change management are all essential skills to be successful in OHS.

Ethical Practice & Continual Learning

Safety practitioners have an obligation to act ethically in their work. Certified professionals are held accountable to a Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct to ensure a high standard of integrity and professional competencies are maintained. Certified professionals are life-long learners and adhere to a continuous professional development program. 

Interested in a Career in OHS? An OHS Career Journey walks through a career path. 

Career Resources

Why Become Certified?

Certified professionals report that achieving certification

  • Is an indication of professional growth;
  • Enhances professional credibility; and
  • Provides evidence of professional commitment
  • Certified professionals earn more on average than non-certified individuals. 

Transportability

BCRSP certifications are recognized through Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) in the United States, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in the United Kingdom, NEBOSH in the United Kingdom, and the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (formerly SIA) in Australia. 

Salary

Working in health and safety isn't just morally rewarding, in Canada the median salary for OHS professionals is $80,000, and over 50% of certified professionals earn above $100,000 a year.

Quality

International accreditation demonstrates that a certification meets such high professional standards that it is recognized as a model credential worldwide. The Board has been granted accreditation to ISO/IEC 17024 by the Standards Council of Canada for the CRSP® and CRST® certifications. The BCRSP's quality management system is also certified to ISO 9001 by BSI Management Systems Canada Inc.