Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.31306/s.60.4.2
Training of occupational medicine physicians and allied occupational safety & health professionals in the USA
Eric Wood
; Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Abstract
Professionals have been working in occupational safety and health (OS&H) in the United States since at least the advent of the Industrial Revolution. Formal educational in OS&H began in earnest with passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 that included provisions for funding training in OS&H disciplines.
A study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in 2011 estimated that there were over 48,000 (2.3/10,000 working age adults) OS&H professionals working in the US. Employers surveyed in this study reported a need to hire over 25,000 OS&H professionals in the next 5 years. OS&H training programs were projected to graduate less than 13,000 students in that period.
Core knowledge and skills in the various OS&H disciplines typically includes academic training in epidemiology, biostatistics, administration & management, behavioral health science, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, and foundation courses in occupational injury and disease prevention. Employers report interest in additional training in communication, technical writing, leadership, cross-disciplinary training, emerging hazards, and knowledge of regulations and compliance.
Funding of OS&H programs has been a persistent challenge. A lack of student awareness of training and career opportunities poses additional challenges for recruitment of qualified applicants. While hiring demands and career prospects remain high for most OS&H disciplines, the support for training programs, and the supply of new graduates presents ongoing challenges for OS&H educators.
Keywords
Occupational Safety and Health; Occupational Medicine; Safety; Industrial Hygiene; Education and Training; OSHA; NIOSH
Hrčak ID:
214680
URI
Publication date:
3.1.2019.
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