In addition, a recent investment firm study in Australia of businesses showed valuation links between workplace safety and health factors and investment performance. It found that companies who did not adequately manage workplace safety issues underperformed those that did.
Austin, TX (Vocus) June 24, 2009
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational safety and health practitioners is expected to increase nine percent during the 2006 - 2016 decade. The 98 year-old American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), with more than 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professional members located worldwide, provides many tools for those considering a career in the growing SH&E profession. One of those tools is a free brochure titled ''Your Guide to a Career in the Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Profession'' providing an overview of the profession, safety science, responsibilities, education needs, resources and more.
Recently, the University of California San Diego Extension listed the SH&E profession as among a 'dozen hot careers for college graduates'. Safety professionals work in all industries and around the world. They prevent harm to people, property and the environment by applying principles from engineering, education, psychology, physiology, enforcement, hygiene, health, physics and management. From working for media companies, to universities, to entertainment companies, food and pharmaceutical companies, to oil and gas, construction, manufacturing and much, much, more, the SH&E profession continues to grow.
"Smart businesses today employ SH&E professionals and continue to update and implement effective work safety programs companywide because they know if they don't do so they not only run the risk of having an employee hurt, but can lose their competitive advantage in today's worldwide marketplace," ASSE Region III Vice President Greg Smith, CSP, of Austin, TX, said today. Region III consists of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
"Investing in safety pays and contributes positively to a company's bottom line. Businesses spend about $170 billion a year on costs associated with workplace injuries and illnesses and pay almost $1 billion every week to injured employees and their medical providers," Smith added. "In addition, a recent investment firm study in Australia of businesses showed valuation links between workplace safety and health factors and investment performance. It found that companies who did not adequately manage workplace safety issues underperformed those that did."
ASSE provides resources for those considering this career, not only through its more than 150 chapters located worldwide, but also through its several student chapters.
"We encourage folks to attend a local ASSE chapter or student chapter meeting. You can go to the ASSE web site to find local chapters," Smith said. "We always help those seeking to enter the profession. That's one of the greatest values from an ASSE membership is the ability to network and learn from those that have been in the business a long time or even just a few years. As a matter of fact, if I can't find the answer to a workplace safety question I may have I contact a fellow member whether they be located in Texas or Egypt or Illinois. If they can't help me they find someone who can. We're all working for the same thing - preventing injuries and illness.
"Also, ASSE has a list of colleges and universities that offer SH&E degree programs," Smith said. "The ASSE Foundation provides scholarships for those seeking a degree and continuing education in the SH&E profession. ASSE offers several professional development and certification programs for students and just next week we'll be having the largest one here in San Antonio. Known as Safety 2009, ASSE will welcome 4,000 people from around the globe for its annual three-day ASSE professional development conference and exposition in Texas."
The conference not only offers more than 225 educational sessions, but features many key speakers including Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. ASSE will also provide the ASSE NexSteps Career Center and other networking opportunities. To see the SH&E jobs now available go to http://www.nexsteps.org/ . In San Antonio the career center will be open from Sunday, June 28, through Wednesday, July 1. Employers can post their career opportunities for free and job seekers can review and apply for jobs.
Safety professionals' salaries range from about $30,000 for safety inspectors to $150,000+ for highly qualified individuals. Safety professionals are knowledgeable in 'Safety Science', a 21st century term for everything that goes into the prevention of incidents, illnesses and other events which harm people, property and the environment. Key knowledge areas include chemistry and biology, physics, ergonomics, environmental sciences, psychology, physiology, biomechanics and medicine, engineering, business management, economics, sociology and geology.
The UC-San Diego 'hot career options' list for college graduates was developed by the continuing education academic directors based on enrollment trends, an analysis of national employment statistics and discussions with the school extension's more than 750 business, community and professional association curriculum advisors.
Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the largest and oldest professional safety society and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its members lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For a free copy of the ''Your Guide to a Career in the Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Profession'' (G025) contact customer service at customerservice(at)asse.org or download it from http://www.asse.org/newsroom/presskit/ . To learn more about the San Antonio ASSE Professional Development Conference and Exposition please go to http://www.safety2009.org .
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