Updated December 2024
Every year, thousands of Canadians suffer injuries or lose their lives at work. Unsafe work environments are a major problem, not just in construction but across many sectors of our economy.
The Canadian government wants to lower those numbers, as do business owners and the workers themselves. Even a single death at work has terrible consequences. The family suffers, workers lose faith in management, overall productivity slows down, and the entire community feels the loss.
Skilled occupational health and safety specialists play a crucial role in minimizing the risk of accidents in the workplace. They are experts in spotting workplace hazards, delivering safety training, and creating emergency response plans that save lives when disaster strikes.
OHS professionals are also enforcers of government health and safety regulations. They can get a business shut down if management isn't following the law.
There are many different career paths in the field of OHS. There are both generalist and specialist roles, and varying educational requirements.