As a rule safety professionals work as Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety Inspectors. They evaluate and monitor health and safety risks and build up strategies which help to control hazards in the workplace.

Mostly those who are looking for work in this category include those who are trained, licensed and routinely inspect restaurants, public facilities, industrial establishments, municipal water systems and other workplaces with the purpose to ensure conformity with government regulations regarding sanitation, pollution control, the handling and storage of dangerous substances and workplace safety. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors.

Safety processionals in this category perform some or all of the following duties:

• Inspect the sanitary conditions of restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals and other public facilities or institutions
• Conduct surveys and monitoring programs of the natural environment to identify sources of pollution
• Collect samples of water for analysis; measure physical, biological and chemical workplace hazards; and conduct safety and environmental audits
• Investigate health and safety related complaints, spills of hazardous chemicals, outbreaks of diseases or poisonings and workplace accidents
• Inspect workplaces to ensure that equipment, materials and production processes do not present a safety or health hazard to employees or to the general public
• Develop, implement and evaluate health and safety programs and strategies
• Initiate enforcement procedures to fine or to close an establishment contravening municipal, provincial or federal regulations
• Provide consultation and deliver training programs to employers, employees and the general public on issues of public health, environmental protection or workplace safety.

A bachelor's degree or college diploma in a discipline such as food science, environmental studies, chemistry or health and safety is usually required. In some establishments, several years of related work experience and the completion of in-house training courses may substitute for formal education. Public health inspectors sometimes require additional certification with the Institute of Public Health Inspectors. Occupational health and safety officers may require certification with the Association for Registered Safety Professionals.