Occupational health and safety specialists investigate work places. They recommend ways to remove health hazards.

Occupational health and safety specialists work for government agencies. They investigate reports of unsafe working conditions. Sometimes they are called when several workers experience unusual illnesses. They also inspect factories and other production facilities on a regular basis to ensure safety standards and government regulations are met.

Occupational health and safety specialists inspect work places. They look for health hazards such as unsafe machinery or bad air quality. Specialists analyze issues such as:

• Lighting
• Ventilation
• Temperature

Specialists collect samples of the air, dust, and other materials. They use many types of equipment to take these samples. They may also talk to workers to learn about their symptoms or health hazards they have seen.

In addition, specialists read doctors' reports about workers illnesses. They investigate to determine if worker illnesses are related to their jobs.

After they gather information, specialists determine which, if any, health hazards are present. They write reports listing the hazards and their recommendations for changing or removing them.

Specialists may help employers make the changes. For example, they may talk to engineers about ways to redesign equipment. They may also teach workers how to prevent accidents, or injuries from overworking their muscles. They may train new employees about specific safety policies. They also maintain specific plans for how to handle emergencies.

Occasionally, workers sue their employers because of work-related injuries or illnesses. Specialists prepare documents about their findings for these hearings. They may also testify in court.