Health and Safety Officer - Personal requirements

Kaikōtuitui Take Hauora, Take Haumaru

Skills & knowledge

Health and safety officers need to have:
  • knowledge of health and safety legislation
  • knowledge of work-related illnesses and injuries, and rehabilitation strategies
  • knowledge of Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) procedures and how an organisation becomes ACC-accredited
  • good communication and listening skills
  • observational skills
  • good problem-solving and decision-making ability.

 

Margeurite Besier

“You need a persuasive ability to convince people of the benefits of workplace safety systems and procedures."

Margeurite Besier - Health and Safety Consultant

 

Personal Qualities

Health and safety officers need to be:
  • safety-conscious
  • alert
  • responsible
  • practical
  • patient
  • able to relate well to a wide range of people
  • calm in emergencies.

 

Physical Requirements

Health and safety officers need to have a reasonable level of fitness. Normal colour vision may be required because many safety systems are colour-coded.

 

Updated September 2009