Where Can Health & Safety Certifications Take You? | Career Guide 2024

What Industries Can You Work In After Health and Safety Certifications?

(And How to Get Started – Full Guide 2024)

In today’s fast-changing work environment, safety is not just a department- it’s a priority across the globe. Whether it’s an oil rig in Saudi Arabia, a food factory in Europe, or a construction site anywhere, safety-certified professionals are in demand.

If you’ve completed certifications like NEBOSH, OSHA, Fire Safety, or First Aid, or are planning to start, then this article will help you understand:

• Which industries need you
  
  

• What roles you can apply for
  
  

• What salaries and growth you can expect
  
  

• And how to get started step-by-step
  
  

Let’s dive in 👇

Why Safety Certifications Matter More Than Ever

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO):

⚠️ Every 15 seconds, a worker dies due to a work-related accident or disease.
⚙️ Every year, 2.3 million people lose their lives from unsafe workplaces.
💸 The global economy loses over $3 trillion annually due to poor safety management.

This growing concern has made governments, companies, and international organizations more serious about health and safety laws.

👉 That’s why trained and certified professionals are now not optional — they’re essential.

🏢 Top Industries That Hire Safety Professionals

Let’s break down the most common and fastest-growing sectors where you can find jobs after doing safety certifications.

🛢️ 1. Oil & Gas Industry

One of the highest-paying industries for safety professionals.

Whether it’s drilling, refining, or offshore operations — these are high-risk environments where companies can’t afford accidents.

Common Jobs:

• HSE Officer
  
  

• Fire Watcher
  
  

• Permit Receiver
  
  

• Safety Auditor
  
  

Best Certifications:

• NEBOSH IGC
  
  

• OSHA 132 Hours
  
  

• Confined Space Safety
  
  

• Fire Safety Level 3
  
  

📊 In 2023, oil & gas projects created over 45,000+ new HSE job openings worldwide, especially in the Middle East.

🏗️ 2. Construction & Infrastructure

From highways to high-rise buildings, this industry employs the largest number of safety officers globally.

Why? Heavy equipment, electrical work, working at heights — all increase risk.

Common Roles:

• Construction Site Safety Officer
  
  

• Risk Assessor
  
  

• Scaffolding Safety In-Charge
  
  

Certifications:

• Working at Heights
  
  

• Risk Assessment
  
  

• Scaffolding Safety Level 2
  
  

• OSHA 48 Hours
  
  

In Dubai Expo 2020, over 28,000 safety professionals were hired for construction alone.

🏭 3. Manufacturing & Industrial Units

Chemical plants, textile factories, electronics assembly — all of these industries require strong safety systems to prevent injuries, fire, or chemical exposure.

Common Jobs:

• Machine Safety Officer
  
  

• Industrial Hygiene Supervisor
  
  

• Manual Handling Trainer
  
  

Best Courses:

• Manual Handling Safety
  
  

• PPE Training
  
  

• Chemical Handling
  
  

• Hazard Identification & Control
  
  

🔍 According to a 2023 McKinsey report, manufacturing sectors globally are hiring 30% more safety staff than they did five years ago.

🛳️ 4. Logistics & Warehousing

In ports, airports, and logistics warehouses, lifting, rigging, and load management are daily tasks — all require trained supervision.

Jobs:

• Rigger Level 2/3
  
  

• Lifting Supervisor
  
  

• Warehouse Safety Officer
  
  

Certifications:

• Rigging & Lifting Safety
  
  

• Material Handling Safety
  
  

• Working at Heights
  
  

Amazon hired 1,200+ HSE officers globally for warehouse roles in 2022 alone.

🏥 5. Healthcare & Laboratories

Post-COVID, hospitals have started hiring dedicated safety personnel for infection control, fire safety, and chemical spill management.

Roles:

• Infection Control Officer
  
  

• Emergency Safety Trainer
  
  

• Hospital Fire Safety Lead
  
  

Courses:

• Fire Safety Level 3
  
  

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
  
  

• First Aid Level 3
  
  

• Chemical Safety in Labs
  
  

🍽️ 6. Food, Hotel & Hospitality Industry

Hotels, restaurants, airlines, and cruise ships are legally required to follow food hygiene and fire safety protocols.

Roles:

• Food Safety Officer
  
  

• Hotel Safety Supervisor
  
  

• Kitchen Risk Inspector
  
  

Courses:

• Food Safety Level 2 & 3
  
  

• Fire Safety
  
  

• HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
  
  

Many Gulf countries now require food businesses to hire certified safety staff as per local law.

Bonus Tip: Growing Career Paths

If you keep upgrading your certifications and gain field experience, you can move into roles like:

• HSE Trainer (teach others)
  
  

• Safety Manager (manage large teams)
  
  

• Internal Auditor (inspect other companies)
  
  

• Freelance Safety Consultant (independent projects)
  
  

🌍 Global Demand & Salaries (All Industries Combined)

According to international safety job portals and HR analytics:

• 🌎 Over 300,000 active HSE jobs are listed globally at any time.
  
  

• 💼 Certified professionals earn between $700 – $7,000/month depending on role, experience, and country.
  
  

• 📈 Demand is growing by 7–10% annually worldwide.
  
  

These numbers are not limited to the Gulf — the same trend is seen in UK, Canada, Australia, and Southeast Asia.

🧭 How to Get Started?

Here’s a clear roadmap:

1. Choose the Right Certifications

Start with entry-level courses (Fire Safety, First Aid, PPE, etc.), and then go for OSHA, NEBOSH, or other specialized training.

Make sure you train from a recognized institute like Rise Institute, which offers certified trainers and official licenses.

 2. Build Your Safety CV

Include:

• All completed certifications
  
  

• Practical training & workshops
  
  

• Soft skills (communication, leadership, quick decision-making)
  
  

• A professional layout (Rise Institute helps with this too)
  
  

3. Start Applying

Use these websites:

• LinkedIn Jobs
  
  

• GulfTalent
  
  

• Bayt
  
  

• Indeed
  
  

Search terms: "HSE Officer", "Safety Supervisor", "OSHA Certified", "Confined Space Safety", etc.

Final Thoughts

Health and safety is a responsibility that saves lives, protects workers, and improves industries.

If you’re looking for a stable, high-demand, and internationally respected career, then start your journey in health and safety today.

🔑 The right certification today can lead to a life-changing opportunity tomorrow in any part of the world.

Start your journey with Rise Institute & Consultants, where we turn certifications into careers.