A Successful Health and Safety Career Growth – Right From Safety Trainee to HSE Manager
Every employer is legally obliged to ensure a safe work environment for their workforce. To realise this, they seek experts in health and safety, this is where the role of professionals skilled in HSE comes in.
Choosing an HSE career is not only impactful but also rewarding. If you are passionate about contributing to a safety culture, a career in health and safety is the right choice. This blog will explore the key positions on the HSE career path.
Step 1:
Health and safety representative
To start the career journey in health and safety, a health and safety representative or health & safety coordinator is the ideal point.
How to become?
To become a health and safety representative, you need to complete your basic academic qualifications and acquire a fundamental health & safety course like the IOSH Managing Safely.
What you do?
These professionals typically support workplace risk assessments, hazard identification and implementing the basic safety measures in the organisation.
Pay scale
The average pay scale is £20,000 – £25,000 per year.
Step 2:
Health and safety advisor
A health and safety advisor advises the employer on workplace health and safety issues. These professionals deploy their skills and knowledge to promote a positive health & safety culture and avoid risks and hazards in the workplace.
How to become?
The possible routes to becoming a health & safety advisor require 1-2 years of experience in health and safety. Achieving specific qualifications like the NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC) or IOSH Managing Safely makes you a deserving candidate for the opportunity.
What you do?
A health and safety advisor is responsible for ensuring legal compliance and advising employees and managers to contribute to building and maintaining a healthy and safe workplace.
Pay scale
Estimated remuneration is £28,000 – £38,000 per year.
Step 3:
Health and safety coordinator
A health & safety coordinator is a skilled professional accountable for executing and managing safety procedures and practices in an organisation.
How to become?
Gaining practical experience of 3-5 years and achieving the NEBOSH Diploma allows aspiring candidates to become health & safety coordinators.
What you do?
The role is responsible for developing and implementing health and safety procedures and policies, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, training employees, conducting safety audits, identifying workplace issues and hazards and taking relevant corrective actions.
Pay scale
The Typical pay scale is £40,000 – £55,000 per year.
Step 4:
Health and Safety Manager
This is a highly sought-after opportunity in the HSE field. This leadership role ensures the safety of employees in the workplace.
How to become?
Aspiring professionals should have 5-8 years of hands-on experience in workplace health and safety. In addition, they should pursue a NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. Continuous professional development through memberships in professional bodies such as IOSH (GradIOSH/CMIOSH) or IIRSM helps them acquire the skills to excel as HSE Managers.
What you do?
Pay scale
Estimated pay scale is around £55,000 – £80,000+ per year
To sum up
Navigating a successful career path, right from initiating to becoming an expert in HSE, requires dedication, continuous development and accomplishing the necessary qualifications. Whether you are at an entry level or aiming for a leadership role, enrolling in the right qualification and gaining practical exposure makes all the difference.
Climb the HSE career ladder with GWG
Navigating a successful career path, right from initiating to becoming an expert in HSE, requires dedication, continuous development and accomplishing the necessary qualifications. Whether you are at an entry level or aiming for a leadership role, enrolling in the right qualification and gaining practical exposure makes all the difference.
