Safety Advisor Requirements, Skills & Qualifications

The following common skills and qualifications are required of a Safety Advisor:

  • A Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in Safety Management or in any related field like engineering and Science Lab Technology is a major requirement.
  • A professional certification in health and safety management will be an added advantage.
  • Experience in a previous similar role will also serve as an added advantage.
  • Excellent written and spoken communication skills in order to explain health and safety processes to a range of people and to give presentations to groups
  • Negotiating skills to convince managers of the need to implement and maintain safety standards that may compromise speed or efficiency in the organisation
  • Patience and diplomacy because the profession requires a collaborative approach
  • Ability to understand and analyse complex information and present it simply and accurately
  • An investigative mind
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • A flexible approach to work
  • An interest in the law and the ability to understand regulations
  • Physical fitness, if your work will involve time on large-scale plants or on outdoor sites
  • A driving licence - essential for jobs involving travel between sites.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Safety Advisor skill, qualifications and experience. Job requirements for specific Safety Advisor roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.