Occupational Health and Safety Adviser develops, implements, and evaluates risk management policies and programs, trains employees in occupational health and safety procedures, monitors and audits the workplace, and records and investigates incidents to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.

Skill Level

1

Alternative Titles

• Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator
• Occupational Health and Safety Officer

Specialisations

• Occupational Hygienist
• Workplace Rehabilitation Officer

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Occupational Health and Safety Adviser is Vocational & Education Training Assessment (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Qualification assessed at Australian Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field of study AND at least one year of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years
• Applicants must meet both the qualification and employment requirements to obtain a positive skills assessment
• A highly relevant field of study has a major focus in Geographic Information Systems.
• Note: Qualifications in Geography without key components such as GIS, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Analysis, Surveying and Geomatics will not usually be assessed positively for this occupation

Develop, implement and evaluate policies and programs to monitor environmental health and occupational health and safety and related legislation to ensure safe and healthy working conditions, and assist injured staff through the workers’ compensation and rehabilitation process.

Tasks

• Developing, implementing and reviewing environmental health management plans and occupational health and safety plans
• Preparing and implementing plans and strategies for the safe, economic and suitable disposal of commercial, industrial, medical and household wastes
• Advising on and enforcing legislation, implementing prevention programs and strategies for communicable diseases, food safety, waste water treatment and disposal systems, recreation and domestic water quality, contaminated and hazardous substances, and minimising air, sea, water and noise pollution to improve health outcomes
• Identifying hazards, and assessing and controlling risks in the workplace
• Developing, implementing and monitoring programs minimising workplace and environmental pollution involving chemical and physical hazards
• Promoting ergonomic principles within the workplace such as matching furniture, equipment and work activities to the needs of employees
• Inspecting and auditing workplaces, processes, plant, and chemical and physical hazards for legislative compliance
• Training employees in personal protective equipment and safe working procedures
• Recording and investigating injuries and equipment damage, and reporting safety performance
• Coordinating the return of injured workers into the workplace

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Registration or licensing may be required.

Occupations in this Group

• 251311 Environmental Health Officer
• 251312 Occupational Health and Safety Adviser