Chances of getting work as a health and safety officer are growing. The number of people working in this job doubled between 2001 and 2006, according to Census figures.

Number of health and safety officers in New Zealand
(2001 and 2006)

Census	Number of health and safety officers
2001	510
2006	1,035
Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool.

Growing emphasis of health and safety in workplace creating more jobs for health and safety officers

In 2005, the Department of Labour launched a 10-year strategy to improve health and safety in workplaces. Along with the Health and Safety Amendment Act, this has put more responsibility on employers to ensure the health and safety of their employees while at work.

This has created more job opportunities for health and safety officers, as more businesses are hiring permanent or temporary health and safety officers to:

• come in and check that their workplaces are operating within health and safety guidelines
• train staff in correct health and safety procedures.

Health and safety a growing issue in New Zealand's workplaces

The demand for health and safety officers is expected to keep increasing. As New Zealand's population continues to grow and age, workplaces will need to accommodate a wider range of heath and safety requirements.

Health and safety officers may work as consultants for health and safety consulting firms.

They can also work for businesses in the manufacturing, mining, forestry/fisheries and construction industries, as these industries have some of the highest rates of work-related injuries. These businesses often employ on-site health and safety officers to help improve health and safety practices.

Health and safety officers work throughout New Zealand.

In June 2009, there were 590 private occupational health and safety businesses – most of these are in Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington.