Protect, prevent and lead: Your guide to occupational health and safety careers
Interested in a career that makes a real, day-to-day difference in people’s lives? One that combines advocacy, education, and hands-on work? Occupational health and safety (OHS) might be the perfect fit for you.
OHS professionals play a vital role in creating safer workplaces by preventing injuries, protecting workers and leading the charge for better health and safety practices across industries. From construction sites to corporate offices, these careers help ensure that everyone — from employees to employers — can go home safely at the end of the day.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what occupational health and safety professionals do, why their work matters, and how you can start a career that’s not only rewarding, but in demand across Canada.
Curious about occupational health and safety? Here’s what it’s all about
At its core, occupational health and safety is about keeping people safe and healthy at work. OHS professionals identify potential hazards, assess risk and develop strategies to prevent injuries, illness and long-term harm in the workplace.
This can include:
Physical hazards (e.g., equipment, noise, exposure to harmful substances)
Ergonomic risks (e.g., repetitive strain injuries, poor workstation setup)
Psychological risks (e.g., stress, harassment, burnout)
OHS professionals work closely with employers and workers to improve workplace health through better communication, training and proactive safety measures that reduce risks and hazards.
Occupational health and safety work makes a real impact
Every worker has the right to return home safely at the end of the day. OHS professionals help make that happen.
In Canada, thousands of workplace injuries occur every year. According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada , more than 1,000 work-related fatalities were reported in 2022. These numbers reflect not just statistics, but real people and families affected by preventable tragedies.
The cost of these incidents — financially, physically and emotionally — is massive. That’s why trained OHS professionals are essential across every sector, from construction and healthcare to education and office environments.
Common career paths in occupational health and safety
Is occupational health and safety a good career? Absolutely — and there’s no one-size-fits-all path. You’ll find OHS roles in nearly every industry; from construction and energy to healthcare, education and government.
Whether you want to work in the field or behind the scenes, focus on disability management or ergonomics, there are a wide range of OHS careers available.
Here are a few examples:
Health and Safety Officer
Monitor workplaces for compliance with health and safety regulations, conduct inspections and implement safety practices.
Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator
Coordinate safety training, manage incident reports and help build safety programs within organizations.
Safety Auditor or Compliance Specialist
Evaluate organizational processes to ensure they follow provincial or federal safety laws.
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager
Focus on both environmental compliance and workplace safety.
Is occupational health and safety a good career choice?
If you’re looking for a career that’s meaningful, stable and well-compensated, OHS checks all the boxes:
In-demand: OHS professionals are needed across Canada in every major industry; employers are actively hiring.
Flexible: Choose from field work, office roles or a hybrid of both
Variety: No two days are the same: think site visits, audits, training and more
Impactful: Help protect workers, reduce risk and lead safety initiatives. You'll be improving lives in a tangible way.
Well-paid: According to the Board of Registered Canadian Safety Professionals (BRCSP), the most commonly reported salary for certified professionals is in the $90,000 range
Plus, job satisfaction is high — according to BRCSP, nearly 90% of OHS professionals in Canada report being satisfied or very satisfied with their career.
How to start your career in occupational health and safety
The University of Fredericton (UFred) offers flexible, fully online programs that allow you to earn a respected credential while continuing to work. Our programs align with national standards and certification requirements, including the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) and Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designations.
Here are two great options to begin or advance your OHS education:
Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental Systems (COHSES)
The COHSES program meets the education requirement for the CRST certification and provides 450 of the 900 hours needed for CRSP eligibility.
Associate Degree in Occupational Health and Safety (AOHS)
The AOHS program meets the education requirements for the CRST certification and also offers the full 900 hours of OHS education required for CRSP certification. This program serves as a great foundation for further education in this field, making it ideal for those who want a deeper foundation and broader career access.
Both programs are designed to be flexible, accessible and aligned with real-world industry needs.
Lead change. Protect others. Build your future.
If you’re passionate about protecting others, solving problems and making your workplace a safer place, a career in occupational health and safety might be the right fit for you.
Ready to reach your career dreams? Explore UFred’s online OHS programs to learn how you can start building the knowledge, confidence and credentials needed to make an impact in your field.
