August 25, 2026 | British Columbia

Occupational health and safety specialists help organizations identify hazards, assess risks, investigate incidents, and improve workplace safety. 

In BC, this career is broader than construction. OHS specialists work in professional services, construction, insurance and real estate, healthcare, government and other industries. Their day-to-day responsibilities change with the workplace. A construction site may require attention to falls and equipment, while a hospital may focus more on ergonomics, employee injuries or workplace violence. 

Here is what OHS work actually looks like in British Columbia and where these professionals can build careers. 

What Is Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in BC? 

Occupational health and safety, or OHS, is the practice of preventing workplace injuries, illnesses and other harm by identifying hazards and managing risk. 

In British Columbia, workplace health and safety is governed primarily through the Workers Compensation Act and the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. 

OHS can involve: 

• identifying workplace hazards  
• assessing how serious a risk may be  
• developing safe work procedures  
• inspecting workplaces and equipment  
• investigating incidents and near misses  
• training workers and supervisors  
• planning for emergencies  
• monitoring whether safety controls are working  
• keeping safety policies and documentation current  

This makes OHS much broader than personal protective equipment or checking whether employees follow rules. It is about building systems that help prevent problems before someone is injured. 

WorkBC describes Occupational Health and Safety Specialists as professionals who review and monitor workplace hazards, develop injury-prevention strategies and inspect workplaces, equipment and practices. The occupation can also involve supporting both physical and psychological health and safety. 

Job titles vary by employer. Under Canada's NOC 22232, Occupational health and safety specialists, related titles can include Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, Health and Safety Officer, Occupational Safety Officer, Occupational Safety Coordinator, Health and Safety Technician and Occupational Health and Safety Consultant.  

Where Do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Work in BC? 

OHS is not limited to one industry. Current Government of Canada Job Bank and WorkBC data show OHS professionals working throughout BC's public and private sectors. 

 
WorkBC forecasts 1,120 OHS specialist openings across BC between 2025 and 2035, with 670 in the Mainland/Southwest. That makes Metro Vancouver and the surrounding region the province's largest projected market for the occupation. 

Different industries also create different safety priorities. Construction may involve falls, changing worksites, and mobile equipment. Manufacturing can involve machinery, hazardous energy, and process risks. Healthcare can involve ergonomics, exposure to hazards, and workplace violence. 

The important point is that OHS specialists are not tied to one workplace environment. Their skills can apply across industries where organizations need structured ways to manage health and safety risks. 

What Does an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Do in BC? 

The central goal of the role is prevention. OHS specialists examine how work is performed, identify where people could be harmed, and help organizations determine how those risks can be reduced. 

Identify Hazards and Assess Risks 

OHS specialists may review equipment, materials, work processes, and workplace conditions to identify hazards. 

They then assess the risk by considering factors such as: 

• how likely an incident is to occur  
• how serious the outcome could be  
• who may be exposed  
• whether existing controls are effective  
• what additional controls may be needed  

The hazards vary by industry. A construction specialist may focus on fall protection or heavy equipment, while someone in healthcare may assess lifting tasks, exposure risks or workplace violence. 

Conduct Inspections and Safety Audits 

Workplace inspections help find unsafe conditions before they lead to injuries. 

An OHS specialist may inspect work areas and equipment, review procedures, talk with employees, and follow up on previously identified hazards. 

Safety audits are broader. They can examine policies, training, documentation, and management systems to determine whether an organization's overall safety approach is functioning as intended. 

Investigate Incidents and Near Misses 

When an incident occurs, an OHS specialist may help determine what happened and why. 

Their work can include: 

• collecting information  
• interviewing workers or supervisors  
• reviewing procedures and records  
• identifying contributing factors  
• recommending corrective actions  
• documenting findings  
• following up on changes  

The purpose of an investigation is not simply to record an incident. It is to understand the causes and reduce the likelihood of a similar event happening again. 

Develop Safety Procedures and Training 

NOC 22232 occupational also identifies developing health and safety programs, procedures, policies and training among the duties of this occupational group. 

An OHS specialist may help create safe work procedures, update emergency plans, develop employee training, or explain new safety requirements to management and workers. 

This is why communication is such an important part of the profession. A safety recommendation only works if people understand it and can realistically put it into practice. 

Is an OHS Specialist the Same as a WorkSafeBC Prevention Officer? 

Not necessarily. 

An OHS specialist working for a construction company, hospital, manufacturer, consulting business or another employer generally helps that organization manage its own occupational health and safety responsibilities. 

A WorkSafeBC prevention officer has a regulatory role. WorkSafeBC prevention officers can visit workplaces, review safety practices, and identify matters that need to be corrected.  

The distinction matters because titles such as Safety Officer, OHS Officer and Prevention Officer may sound similar, but their authority and responsibilities can be different. 

What Skills Do BC OHS Employers Need? 

OHS work combines technical safety knowledge with communication, judgment and problem-solving. WorkBC highlights active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking among the important skills for this occupation. 

These skills usually work together. Recognizing an unsafe process requires technical knowledge. Understanding why it creates risk requires critical thinking. Developing a workable control requires problem-solving, while getting employees and management to adopt it requires communication. 

How CDI College's OHS Training Connects to the BC Workplace 

CDI College's Occupational Health and Safety Diploma in Burnaby is a 45-week, 900-hour program designed to develop foundational knowledge for occupational health and safety roles. The courses are aligned with the BCRSP knowledge domains. 

The curriculum connects with common OHS responsibilities in several ways: 

• Hazard Identification and Control + OHS Risk Management: Hazard recognition, risk assessment and controls.  
• Incident Prevention and Investigation: Incident prevention, investigation techniques and reporting.  
• Safety Management Systems + Safety Audit and Analysis: Safety systems, inspections, audits and improvement planning.  
• Occupational Health and Safety Law and Ethics: Canada's OHS legal environment, responsibilities and ethical considerations.  
• OHS Training and Development + Communication Strategies: Workplace communication, presentations and safety training.  
• Occupational Hygiene + Human Factors and Ergonomics: Exposure hazards, air quality, repetitive stress and workplace design.  
• Emergency Management + Operational and Process Safety: Emergency preparedness, machinery, hazardous energy, materials handling, confined spaces and fall protection.  
• Workplace Injury Claims and Disability Management: Workers' compensation processes, disability management and return-to-work planning.  

This range matters because BC does not have one standard OHS workplace. Someone working in construction may face very different risks from someone in healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, government, or professional services. 

Standard First Aid with CPR Level C and WHMIS are also required for graduation. Students are responsible for independently completing these third-party trainings and submitting proof of certification.  

The program does not guarantee a specific job title. Instead, it provides foundational training across safety functions that can appear in Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, Safety Coordinator, Health and Safety Officer and other related roles. 

Is Occupational Health and Safety a Good Fit for You? 

Occupational health and safety may suit you if you care for the safety of the workers, enjoy understanding how workplaces operate, identifying problems, and finding practical ways to reduce risk.  

It is also a people-focused career. OHS professionals need to communicate with workers, supervisors, and management while balancing safety requirements with real workplace conditions. 

If you are interested in entering the field, read CDI College's guide to How to Become an Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator in BC to learn more about the education, skills and career pathway.