To work as an occupational health and safety specialist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have at least a bachelor's degree.

Education after high school

Occupational health and safety specialists learn their skills through formal training programs. Specialists need at least a bachelor's degree in a safety-related field. Common areas of study are safety engineering, industrial hygiene, and chemical engineering. Regardless of your major, you should take courses in math and science.

Work experience

Experience as a safety professional may be required for many positions.

On-the-job training

Health and safety specialists learn about laws and inspection procedures on the job. They also are supervised by an experienced worker in the beginning. 

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be environmental health and safety specialists. Training lasts 11 to 19 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.