Occupational Health and Safety Adviser in Energy and Mining Industry

Occupational health and safety adviser 1
HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVISER IN ENERGY AND MINING INDUSTRY
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Occupational health and safety adviser 2
Introduction
Health and safety advisors also known as occupational health and safety practitioners,
officers or managers refers to people responsible for mitigating risk and injury at the workplace.
Occupational health and safety advisors are the people who look at the health and safety welfare
of all individuals at the place of work especially in sectors that pose high risks such as
manufacturing, construction, energy, and mining. The health practitioner advises the
management on health concerns within the workplace and ensures that the organization or firm is
compliant with health and safety regulation set by the government and other relevant institutions.
Health and safety advisors are expected to be in high demand especially in the mining and
energy sectors which are expected to be vibrant by 2020 (Careerprofiles 2018). This is because
energy sectors particularly oil and gas pose very high health and safety risks in form of toxins
particularly to those working on site. Similarly, people working in mines face daily exposure to
dust which contains compounds harmful to human health.
The approach used in the analysis of the role and skills required.
This involved the collection of information from various sources including interviews
from health and safety practitioners concerning what it takes to be competent in this field. There
was also the study of career journals which provides the career description for those aspiring to
pursue this profession. The application of course knowledge particularly Henri Fayol's principals
and functions of management also provide the basis upon which to analyze the skills necessary
for an occupational health and safety practitioner.

Occupational health and safety adviser 3
The managerial requirements and traits of a health and safety advisor
A health and safety advisor within the mining, oil and gas industry is involved in
planning and coming up with recommendations that mitigate hazards and risks prevalent within
the organization. After carrying out regular inspection, analysis, and documentation, the health
and safety advisor writes a report highlighting the level of health and safety within the work
environment (Saarni 2014). The report also contains recommendations on the steps that should
be taken to reduce employee exposure to risk and hazard. The top management uses such reports
to plan and come with policies that protect employees from potential harm. A health and safety
advisor is therefore required to have adequate knowledge in planning.
A health and safety advisor is also needed to possess managerial traits such as organizing
and directing. These skills are particularly essential during training of employees on safety
precautions regarding potential hazards (Broadbent 2012). The advisor is responsible for
designing the course material and seeking trainers to assist in the delivery of content. The advisor
is also responsible for setting the amount of time to be taken during training (Mark 2016).
What’s more, the advisor oversees test evaluation to gauge employee’s understanding of health
and safety precautions. The tests mainly revolve around the use of personal protective
equipment, protection against fire as well as emergency exit strategies.
Workplace problems/issues facing a health advisor
The role of a health and safety advisor is hectic and demanding at times. For example, a
health and safety advisor may be required to work overtime in cases of an accident or emergency
incident. The role may also necessitate a lot of traveling especially if the organization has
charged one advisor with overseeing multiple work sites located in different areas. Despite the