Safety knowledge is required on construction sites, in plants, warehouses and healthcare settings, and employers look for it when they hire.
How to start building it
- Learn the main hazards in your target field and how they are controlled
- Understand OSHA's role and the safety training your industry requires
- Practice using safety data sheets and personal protective equipment correctly
Careers that rely on workplace safety
Occupational Safety Specialist
Find workplace hazards, train workers and keep companies compliant with OSHA.
- Typical training: 2–4 years
Safety Technician
Inspect workplaces, collect hazard data and help keep workers from getting hurt.
- Typical training: 6–12 months
Hazardous Materials Technician
Safely remove and clean up asbestos, lead, chemicals and other hazardous materials.
- Typical training: 1–4 weeks of required training
Forklift Operator
Move, stack and load materials safely with forklifts and other powered trucks.
- Typical training: 1–5 days
Flagger
Direct traffic safely through road work zones to protect crews and drivers.
- Typical training: 1 day
Construction and Building Inspector
Inspect buildings and construction to make sure they meet codes and approved plans.
- Typical training: Several years of trade experience + certification
Environmental Health Specialist
Inspect restaurants, pools, water and housing to protect public health.
- Typical training: 4 years
Barista
Make coffee drinks and serve customers at cafes and coffee shops.
- Typical training: 1–2 weeks
Majors that build workplace safety skills
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Chemical Engineering
- Construction Management
- Industrial Technology
- Welding Technology
- Electrical Technology
Training that builds workplace safety
A self-paced online course on what forklift operators do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: forklift and reach truck operation, load handling and stacking, and pre-shift inspection
Why it fits: Workplace safety is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what flaggers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: STOP/SLOW paddle signaling, work zone setup awareness, and radio communication
Why it fits: Workplace safety is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what occupational safety specialists do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910 and 1926), hazard recognition and job hazard analysis, and incident investigation and root cause analysis
Why it fits: Workplace safety is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what construction and building inspectors do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: building codes (IBC, IRC), plan reading and review, and structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems
Why it fits: Workplace safety is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what environmental health specialists do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: food code knowledge, inspection techniques, and water and pool testing
Why it fits: Workplace safety is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what hazardous materials technicians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: HAZWOPER procedures, respirator use and maintenance, and containment and negative-air setup
Why it fits: Workplace safety is central to this job.
Workplace safety skills: frequently asked questions
Why are workplace safety skills important?
Safety knowledge is required on construction sites, in plants, warehouses and healthcare settings, and employers look for it when they hire.
How can I improve my workplace safety skills?
Learn the main hazards in your target field and how they are controlled. Understand OSHA's role and the safety training your industry requires. Practice using safety data sheets and personal protective equipment correctly.
Is workplace safety a hard skill or a soft skill?
Workplace safety is usually considered a hard or technical skill: it can be taught, practiced and shown through specific tasks, tools or certificates.
Which careers need workplace safety skills?
Careers that rely on them include occupational safety specialist, safety technician, hazardous materials technician, forklift operator, flagger, construction and building inspector, environmental health specialist, and barista.
Which college majors build workplace safety skills?
Majors that list them among their core skills include Nutrition and Dietetics, Chemical Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial Technology, Welding Technology, and Electrical Technology.
How do I show workplace safety skills on a resume?
Give specific examples: a situation, what you did, the tools or methods you used and the result. Add related training, certificates or projects.
How long does it take to build workplace safety skills?
You can learn the basics in weeks with focused study and practice. Strong skills come from using them regularly over months and years, on the job, in classes or in projects.
Can I learn workplace safety skills online?
Yes, you can start online. Career Education Institute trainings that build them include Forklift Operator Training, Flagger Training, and Occupational Safety Specialist Training. Practice with real tasks makes them stick.