Safety Officer Course: What Are Employers Looking For?

There are many qualities employers look for when hiring safety officers, the most crucial being whether the applicant has all the necessary safety officer course certifications. In addition, employers want someone with all the qualifications, experience and skills required to do the job well. This article will focus on some of the most important aspects of a safety officer that employers are looking for. You can rest assured that all the elements you will need to be a first-grade safety officer employers seek are taught in our comprehensive courses at EMCARE.

Safety Officer Course: What Are Your Potential Employees Looking For?

The role of a safety officer comes with many responsibilities, as you oversee the health and well-being of your fellow employees. Therefore, you must possess a wide range of skills and knowledge to be a successful candidate for this role. In addition, employers are looking for someone with the right attitude and training. Attending a safety officer course like those we provide at EMCARE will ensure you have all the qualities needed to do the job correctly. Let us examine some of those aspects in more detail below.

1. The Proper Education
   
   Being well-educated can boost your chances with any job application, and employers will favour those with higher education degrees. Many organisations in South Africa require you to have completed your high school diploma, or even a bachelor's degree, along with a safety officer course from a reputable institute.
   
   If you are hoping to achieve a more advanced position as a safety officer, some employers will require a higher education degree and even a master's degree in some cases. Therefore, it is beneficial to have a degree in occupational health and safety or related fields. These could include degrees in engineering, chemistry, or business. Although these degrees are beneficial, they are optional, and it is possible to become a qualified health and safety officer with the proper training through an academy like EMCARE.
   
   
2. Health And Safety Qualifications
   
   The qualifications needed to become a health and safety officer differ between each industry and company. It is best to decide which sector to work in before completing your safety officer course and the necessary qualifications. Contact your relevant industry body to find out what their requirements are. You can also contact us at EMCARE when signing up for a safety officer course to learn more about what we offer and what our classes entail.
   
   You can begin looking for information about the below industries here:
   
   
   • For the construction industry: Contact SACPCMP (South African Centre for Project Construction Managers and Plumbers)
     
     
   • For the medical industry: Contact SASOM (South African Society of Occupational Medicine)
     
     
   • For the mining industry: Contact MQA (Mining Qualifications Authority)
     
     
   • For general occupational health and safety: Contact SAIOSH (South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)
     

3. Experience
   
   Another critical aspect of a health and safety officer that employees will look for is good experience in the necessary fields. Completing a safety officer course and obtaining all the required qualifications can help you get an entry-level job. Still, if you hope to grow and succeed in your career, you will need experience. This happens over time; the more time you spend working as a safety officer, the better your experience will be. Employers usually seek experience in the following areas:
   
   
   • Experience in emergencies and emergency response.
     
     
   • Experience in leadership and management roles.
     
     
   • Experience creating and developing safety programs for employees.
     
     
   • Experience in training and educating employees.
     
     
   • Experience in carrying out safety investigations.
     
     
   • Reporting skills.
     
     
   During your safety officer course and training with us at EMCARE, you will gain experience and knowledge about all these core skills.
   
   
4. Ability To Understand The Role Of A Safety Officer
   
   As mentioned above, the role of a safety officer can differ significantly between industries. Still, it is essential to know that the role of a safety officer is more complex than making sure people use the correct safety equipment. Many companies seek someone with a greater understanding of safety strategies and procedures. You should be able to express the value you can bring to a company when applying for a job as a safety officer. Completing a safety officer course will give you a better understanding of the importance of occupational health and safety and how to implement it in a working environment.
   

5. A Good Attitude And Soft Skills
   
   You will work with people from all company areas as a health and safety officer. It is not uncommon for health and safety managers to work with departments such as sales, human resources, management and operations. For this reason, having good communication and organisation skills is highly beneficial. The ability to work successfully in a team is also sought after by employers, as you will constantly be working alongside other individuals in your company. Some other beneficial soft skills include:
   
   
   • Observation skills
     
     
   • Technology skills
     
     
   • Good problem-solving
     
     
   • Decision-making skills
     
     
   • Good organisational skills
   

6. Pass A Background Check
   
   Passing a background check is an essential process for employers. They will check your employment history and education and may even ask for a police clearance certificate. However, different companies have different requirements for background checks, and some may be more thorough than others.

Safety Officer Course With EMCARE Training Academy

A safety officer position is vital in any business because you are responsible for the welfare and safety of others. Therefore, employers are looking for candidates who can professionally and effectively carry out their duties.

EMCARE is a trusted and fully equipped Health and Safety training company in South Africa. Every safety officer course EMCARE offers is fully accredited by the Department of Labour, Department of Mineral Resources, HWSETA and LGSETA. Completing an EMCARE safety officer course will ensure you get the best training from highly experienced instructors. As a result, you will master all the skills employers seek, making you stand out as one of the best candidates to hire. So don't hesitate to pursue your dream today and sign up with EMCARE for our next course.