Safety engineers look for ways to prevent accidents in the work place.

Health and safety engineers make sure work places are safe. They inspect buildings and machines for hazards and safety violations. Engineers also monitor the general work environment. They test the air and water quality, noise levels, and temperature.

Safety engineers investigate accidents and write reports of their findings. They plan and implement programs for preventing or correcting unsafe conditions. They may train workers to use safety equipment and clothing. They may install the safety devices themselves. Safety engineers in some companies design special safety clothing or safety devices for machinery.

Safety engineers may specialize in fire prevention. They study buildings to evaluate how quickly fires would spread through them. They determine where to place:

• Fire extinguishers
• Sprinklers
• Smoke detectors
• Emergency exits

Safety engineers may train staff how to fight fires in their buildings. They also analyze the causes of fires so they can determine how to prevent future fires. Fire safety engineers must know their city's fire protection laws.

Some safety engineers specialize in product safety. They make sure companies design products that are safe. They investigate accidents and write reports about their findings. Engineers recommend how companies can change their product designs.