Safety Jobs in Canada – All You Need to Know in 2023/24

Are you considering safety jobs in Canada? If your answer is yes, this blog can provide valuable insights and guidance on your journey.

Whether you’re interested in working for a large corporation or a government agency, having a dedicated safety officer is crucial to ensure the well-being of employees. If you possess strong leadership qualities, quick decision-making skills, and critical thinking abilities, then a career as a safety officer might be the perfect fit for you!

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a rapidly expanding field in Canada. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shed light on workplace safety concerns, Canada has been committed to reducing work-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

The fundamental essence of OHS lies in safeguarding individuals’ physical and mental well-being within the workplace.

Across the various provinces there exist well-defined occupational health and safety laws across the various provinces, which are obligatory for employers and employees to adhere to. Regrettably, not all employers and workers are well-informed about or compliant with these regulations.

A Safety Officer, also known as an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of employees within a workplace. Their primary responsibility is to make recommendations and take action to create a safe working environment, reducing the risk of accidents. Key duties of a Safety Officer include:

1. Safety Protocol Enforcement: Encouraging employees to follow safety protocols and guidelines.
2. Work Area Monitoring: Regularly inspecting work areas to identify potential hazards or safety concerns.
3. Accident Investigation: Investigating the causes and sources of accidents or incidents that occur in the workplace.
4. Policy Recommendations: Making recommendations to management to implement safety policies and procedures.

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Safety Jobs in Canada – Steps to Become a Safety Officer

1. Choose an Industry: Decide on the type of industry you want to work in, such as construction, healthcare, manufacturing, or others, as each may have specific hazards.
2. Educational Background: Ensure you have the right educational background. Typically, candidates who have completed their 10+2 studies with subjects like Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are eligible to enter the occupational safety and health field.
3. Bachelor’s Degree: Pursue a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, disaster management, or a related field. Different industries may have varying qualification requirements for safety officers, so choose your area of interest accordingly. Consider engineering courses like mechanical or civil engineering, which may also provide relevant knowledge.
4. Master’s Degree: To access higher-paying positions in top organizations, consider earning a master’s degree in your chosen specialization within the field. Options include environmental health, safety management, safety and occupational health, disaster preparedness, engineering, industrial hygiene, and health physics. Some universities may require work experience in these fields to pursue a master’s degree.
5. Gain Work Experience: While pursuing your education, seek on-the-job training in occupational safety. Alternatively, work as an intern or trainee under an experienced safety officer to gain practical insights into handling hazardous materials, risk communication, and other safety-related responsibilities.

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Safety Jobs in Canada – Role

As a health and safety officer, your role is pivotal in enforcing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations within a workplace. You play a vital part in developing safety protocols, providing training, and investigating incidents. Your typical responsibilities encompass:

✔️ Conducting workplace inspections to identify potential hazards.

✔️ Managing Worker Compensation claims and ensuring their proper follow-up.

✔️ Delivering safety orientation and training sessions to employees.

✔️ Investigating and addressing concerns or complaints raised by workers.

✔️ Ensuring strict compliance with health and safety regulations.

✔️ Coordinating and facilitating return-to-work programs.

✔️ Documenting OHS procedures to maintain a comprehensive safety record.

The role of a health and safety officer serves as an entry point into the field. It provides a strong foundation in workplace safety, which can serve as a stepping stone towards more senior or specialized positions. Accumulating several years of experience as a safety officer can also make you eligible for certification, as detailed later in this article.

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Safety Jobs in Canada – Training Programs

To become a certified occupational health and safety officer, you must pursue post-secondary education. While a bachelor’s degree is not always a requirement, many employers accept diplomas or certificates in occupational health and safety.

Typically lasting between one and two years, health and safety diploma programs are available. For instance, Herzing College offers an accelerated 12-month Occupational Health and Safety diploma program, which includes an internship component.

These programs cover a wide array of crucial topics related to workplace OHS, such as:

✔️ In-depth knowledge of health and safety laws.

✔️ Skills to conduct safety inspections and identify potential hazards.

✔️ Strategies for developing comprehensive workplace safety plans.

✔️ Techniques for risk assessment and the creation of emergency response procedures.

✔️ Competence in delivering effective training programs.

✔️ Knowledge to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being in the workplace.

✔️ Proficiency in managing Workers’ Compensation claims.

Selecting an occupational health and safety program approved by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) is recommended. BCRSP is a globally recognized non-profit organization certifying OHS professionals throughout Canada. Graduating from a BCRSP-approved training program facilitates becoming a certified occupational health and safety officer.

Safety Jobs in Canada – Certification in Canada

The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) offers two distinct certifications for individuals aspiring to become occupational health and safety officers. The first certification is known as the Certified Registered Safety Technician (CRST), which serves as an entry-level qualification.

Upon graduation, students who have completed approved training programs can challenge the CRST certification exam immediately. After accumulating four years of practical experience as a health and safety officer, you can take the next certification level, the Certified Registered Safety Professional (CRSP).

These certifications hold the potential to significantly boost your earning potential and open doors to more advanced roles within the realm of occupational health and safety. A 2019 survey conducted by the BCRSP revealed that over half of CRSPs in Canada earned an annual income exceeding $100,000, with a median salary of $80,000 per year. Furthermore, a staggering 70 per cent of employers considered CRSP certification a prerequisite for professional positions in health and safety.

Safety Jobs in Canada – Key Skills

Becoming a successful occupational health and safety officer necessitates a specific skill set beyond understanding OHS laws and workplace safety protocols. While these technical aspects are crucial, several “soft” skills are equally important in this role, including effective communication, organizational proficiency, persuasive abilities, and a genuine desire to assist others. Reflecting on whether you possess these qualities can help determine if you are well-suited for this profession.

Offering insights into the demands of this role, OHS expert and instructor Andrew Pugachev emphasizes the significance of being a proficient communicator who is unafraid to engage with others. Health and safety officers must be motivated to help and educate individuals with clarity and conciseness. Organization is also pivotal, as successful health and safety programs demand meticulous planning. Furthermore, the willingness to listen and learn from others, regardless of one’s existing knowledge, is crucial. Overcoming resistance to change is another facet of the job, requiring the right approach to gain cooperation and drive progress.

Safety Jobs in Canada – Job Roles

The position of a health and safety officer represents a common entry point into the occupational health and safety field. Health and safety officers engage in various aspects of OHS, including training, enforcing safe work policies, developing new procedures, and following up on claims and complaints. They find employment across diverse sectors, encompassing public and private organizations, safety auditing firms, government agencies, insurance companies, healthcare institutions, and within manufacturing and construction sectors.

Additional occupational health and safety roles include:

☑️ Health and Safety Manager

☑️ Ergonomics Specialists

☑️ Health and Safety Inspector

☑️ Workplace Health and Wellness Coordinator

Safety Jobs in Canada – Job Duties

1. Lead and Participate in Audits and Investigations: Take charge of and actively engage in workplace audits and investigations concerning safety concerns, incidents, and accidents.
2. Conduct Workplace Inspections: Lead and participate in workplace inspections to verify that equipment, materials, and production processes do not pose employee safety or health risks.
3. Develop and Implement Health and Safety Programs: Create and put into practice health and safety programs that encompass standard operating procedures, policies, and training. These programs should reduce risks, enhance worker well-being, and foster a positive occupational health and safety culture.
4. Enforce Compliance: Initiate enforcement measures against workplaces that violate organizational and government health and safety standards and regulations.
5. Provide Training: Offer training sessions to employers, employees, and the general public on matters related to workplace safety.
6. Communicate and Influence: Engage in effective communication and decision-making with key stakeholders, management and workers to ensure adherence to health and safety legislation and regulations.

Safety Jobs in Canada – Job Titles:

1. Health and Safety Officer
2. Occupational Health and Safety Officer
3. Occupational Safety Consultant
4. Occupational Safety Coordinator
5. Occupational Safety Officer

Safety Jobs in Canada – Salary 

The average annual salary for a Safety Officer in Canada is approximately $76,255. Entry-level positions in this field typically start at around $56,935 per year, while the most experienced workers can earn up to approximately $101,167 per year. These figures are based on a sample of 1307 salaries, and actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of experience, and specific employer.

Salaries for Safety Officers in different regions of Canada:

Here are the estimated average annual salaries for Safety Officers in different regions of Canada:

– Quebec: $97,280

– Ontario: $85,000

– Manitoba: $80,408

– Saskatchewan: $78,000

– Alberta: $78,000

– British Columbia: $77,168

– Prince Edward Island: $73,018

– New Brunswick: $70,836

– Nova Scotia: $70,377

Hourly wage ranges by community/area in Canada:

Canada

  – Low: $22.25/hour

  – Median: $37.44/hour

  – High: $57.00/hour

Nunavut

  – Low: $34.57/hour

  – Median: $50.19/hour

  – High: $61.11/hour

Northwest Territories

  – Low: $28.73/hour

  – Median: $47.78/hour

  – High: $58.37/hour

Yukon Territory

  – Low: $27.29/hour

  – Median: $39.58/hour

  – High: $49.93/hour

British Columbia

  – Low: $17.50/hour

  – Median: $38.82/hour

  – High: $52.31/hour

Alberta

  – Low: $20.00/hour

  – Median: $38.46/hour

  – High: $64.90/hour

Saskatchewan

  – Low: $22.00/hour

  – Median: $38.31/hour

  – High: $51.00/hour

Manitoba

  – Low: $20.00/hour

  – Median: $33.65/hour

  – High: $45.67/hour

Ontario

  – Low: $24.04/hour

  – Median: $38.46/hour

  – High: $56.25/hour

Quebec

  – Low: $23.00/hour

  – Median: $35.71/hour

  – High: $53.85/hour

New Brunswick

  – Low: $22.60/hour

  – Median: $38.57/hour

  – High: $49.75/hour

Nova Scotia

  – Low: $24.00/hour

  – Median: $38.46/hour

  – High: $44.21/hour

Prince Edward Island

  – Low: $27.00/hour

  – Median: $37.95/hour

  – High: $60.00/hour

Newfoundland and Labrador

  – Low: $18.46/hour

  – Median: $38.00/hour

  – High: $67.31/hour

Conclusion on Safety Jobs in Canada

The role of a Safety Officer is paramount in today’s workplaces, where ensuring the well-being of employees and mitigating risks are top priorities. These professionals promote safety, prevent accidents, and foster a security culture within organizations.

Becoming a Safety Officer involves a clear path, starting from choosing the right industry and educational background, pursuing relevant degrees, and gaining practical experience through internships and on-the-job training. Whether you aspire to work in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, or any other sector, a career in occupational safety and health offers a rewarding opportunity to positively impact workplace safety.

As Safety Officers continue to be in high demand across various industries, their contributions are instrumental in safeguarding lives, preventing accidents, and ensuring the well-being of employees. Through dedication, education, and practical experience, aspiring Safety Officers can embark on a fulfilling career path dedicated to making workplaces safer for all.