Health and safety adviser

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into a safety management role.

You could also become a consultant and specialise in a particular area like environmental, construction or fire safety.

With further study, you could move into research, training or lecturing.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• persistence and determination
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• knowledge of public safety and security
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• excellent written communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Law - Health and safety advisers work directly with government regulations, legal compliance, and court procedures. They need to understand legislation like the Health and Safety at Work Act and ensure their organisation meets all its legal obligations to protect workers and the public.
• Biology - Health and safety advisers need to understand how hazards affect the human body – from chemical exposure and respiratory risks to musculoskeletal injuries. This knowledge helps them assess workplace dangers and design policies that protect people's physical health.
• Environmental Science - Health and safety advisers frequently assess environmental risks such as air quality, noise pollution, and waste management in the workplace. Many specialise in safety, health, and environment roles where understanding environmental impacts is a core part of the job.
• Business - Health and safety advisers develop organisational policies, manage budgets for safety programmes, and advise senior managers on compliance strategies. Understanding how businesses operate helps them implement safety measures that are practical and effective within real workplace structures.
• English Language - Health and safety advisers write detailed risk assessments, safety policies, accident reports, and training materials that must be clear and precise. They also deliver presentations and training sessions to staff at all levels, so strong communication skills are essential.

Also relevant

• Chemistry - Health and safety advisers often deal with hazardous substances, assessing risks from chemicals used in workplaces like factories, laboratories, or construction sites. Understanding how chemicals interact, their toxicity, and safe handling procedures is important for writing accurate risk assessments.
• Mathematics - Health and safety advisers use statistics to analyse accident data, identify trends, and measure whether safety improvements are working. They also carry out quantitative risk assessments, calculating the likelihood and potential impact of different workplace hazards.
• Physics - Health and safety advisers assess physical hazards such as noise levels, radiation exposure, structural loads, and electrical risks. Understanding forces, energy, and how materials behave helps them evaluate dangers in industries like construction, manufacturing, and engineering.
• Psychology - Health and safety advisers consider human behaviour when designing safety procedures – understanding why people take shortcuts or ignore warnings helps them create more effective training. They also deal with workplace stress, mental health, and wellbeing as part of their role.
• Design and Technology - Health and safety advisers inspect workplaces, machinery, and equipment to identify potential hazards. Understanding how things are designed, built, and used helps them spot risks and recommend practical improvements to make tools and environments safer.