Environment Health And Safety Professionals

Environment health and safety (EHS) professionals help protect the lives and well-being of workers, the public, and the environment by implementing safeguards and safety programs. There are diverse opportunities for EHS professionals across Canada’s energy industry. EHS professionals contribute in many ways to sustainability and environmental protection.

This career path will appeal to you if you enjoy investigating and solving problems. You are also skilled at observing and evaluating your surroundings, and critical thinking and decision-making. Your attention to detail, commitment to learning, and ability to adapt to changing environments makes this role a great fit for you.

Established Energy Sectors:

  • Oil and Gas
  • Offshore Oil and Gas
  • Oil Sands
  • Energy Services
  • Pipelines
  • Refining

Emerging Energy Sectors:

  • Biofuels
  • Hydrogen
  • Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
  • Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

What Environment Health and Safety Professionals Do

Key Skills and Abilities EHS Professionals Need

This chart shows skills, certifications, and personal attributes EHS professionals need to enter and advance their career in the energy industry. Each occupation, job level, and responsibility will require a different mix of these skills and abilities. Employers will often provide training to support employee career development. 

Personal Attributes

  • Attention to Detail
  • Active Learning
  • Adaptability
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Oral Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Leadership
  • Concern for Others
  • Independence
  • Stress Tolerance

 

Core Knowledge

  • Environmental impact assessments
  • Environmental site assessments
  • Environmental sustainability planning 
  • Map reading and use of GIS mapping tools
  • Hazard assessment and safety procedures
  • Emergency management procedures
  • Industry and sector-specific processes, standards, and regulations
  • OHSA (Occupational Health & Safety Act) Standards
  • Environmental approval and licensing procedures

Technical Skills

  • Data analysis using tools such as Excel and Power BI
  • Monitoring and field testing to identify issues with fish, wildlife, and environmentally sensitive areas
  • Analyzing data and preparing reports 
  • Operation of field monitoring equipment (e.g., GPS, data loggers, and communications devices)
  • Management systems such as ISO 14001 and company-specific safety and environmental management systems
  • Investigation skills

Beneficial Certifications

  •  Class 5 Drivers Licence plus a clean abstract
  • Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP)
  • First Aid
  • Industry-specific certifications/training:
    • H2S Alive
    • LOTO (lockout/tag out)
    • Fall Protection
    • Confined Space Entry
    • Ground Disturbance
  • OH&S (Occupational Health and Safety)
  • Management Systems or Process Safety Systems
  • WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)
Personal attributes
Technical skills Beneficial certifications Core knowledge

EHS Professional Careers in the Energy Industry

There are different types of education requirements for the EHS professional. Entry to an EHS career in energy can start with relevant education, or education combined with related job experience. The chart shows how roles and educational requirements change for each career level. As you advance your career, your education and experience can help you to move across the various sectors in the energy industry.

Career Level

Entry
Mid
Senior

Education Levels & Areas of Study

Minimum education and/or experience typically required:

1- to 3-year college diploma 

4-year university degree 

Relevant trade and experience may be considered equivalent

Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST)

CTech (Certified Technician) or Certified Technologist (AScT, CET): college diploma and a minimum 2 years of relevant experience

Minimum education and/or experience typically required:

1- to 3-year college 

4-year university degree (in environmental science, biology, engineering, engineering, natural resource management, geography, or land reclamation)

Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation  

Professional designation in specific disciplines such as P.Bio; P.Chem; P.Eng; P.Ag; P.Geo

Minimum education and/or experience typically required:

4-year university degree 

CRSP (Canadian Registered Safety Professional) designation

Professional designation in specific disciplines such as P.Bio; P.Chem; P.Eng; P.Ag; P.Geo

Types of Careers

  • Environmental Monitor
  • Environment Health and Safety Coordinator
  • Environment Health and Safety Technician/ Technologist
  • Environment Field Technician
  • Environment/Safety Auditor
  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Site Coordinator
  • Inspector (Hazardous Waste, Pollution Control, and/or Water)
  • Environment Health and Safety Advisor 
  • Environment/Safety Management Systems Specialist 
  • Reclamation/Remediation Specialist
  • Reclamation/Remediation Specialist
  • Senior EHS Advisor/Program Manager
  • Compliance Manager
  • EHS Manager/Director
  • Safety & Reliability Director
  • EHS Vice-President

Career Level

Entry

Education Levels & Areas of Study

Minimum education and/or experience typically required:

1- to 3-year college diploma 

4-year university degree 

Relevant trade and experience may be considered equivalent

Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST)

CTech (Certified Technician) or Certified Technologist (AScT, CET): college diploma and a minimum 2 years of relevant experience

Types of Careers

  • Environmental Monitor
  • Environment Health and Safety Coordinator
  • Environment Health and Safety Technician/ Technologist
  • Environment Field Technician
  • Environment/Safety Auditor

Mid

Education Levels & Areas of Study

Minimum education and/or experience typically required:

1- to 3-year college 

4-year university degree (in environmental science, biology, engineering, engineering, natural resource management, geography, or land reclamation)

Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation  

Professional designation in specific disciplines such as P.Bio; P.Chem; P.Eng; P.Ag; P.Geo

Types of Careers

  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Site Coordinator
  • Inspector (Hazardous Waste, Pollution Control, and/or Water)
  • Environment Health and Safety Advisor 
  • Environment/Safety Management Systems Specialist 
  • Reclamation/Remediation Specialist

Senior

Education Levels & Areas of Study

Minimum education and/or experience typically required:

4-year university degree 

CRSP (Canadian Registered Safety Professional) designation

Professional designation in specific disciplines such as P.Bio; P.Chem; P.Eng; P.Ag; P.Geo

Types of Careers

  • Reclamation/Remediation Specialist
  • Senior EHS Advisor/Program Manager
  • Compliance Manager
  • EHS Manager/Director
  • Safety & Reliability Director
  • EHS Vice-President

Transferring Environment Health and Safety Professional Skills from One Energy Sector to Another

There are core skills and knowledge that all EHS Professionals need for their careers. These building blocks apply across all energy sectors and for all specializations. The building blocks are:

  • Knowledge of operational processes and compliance requirements
  • Understanding of industrial hazards and risk management and responses
  • Knowledge of safety programs, practices, and certifications for industrial operations
  • Knowledge of requirements for environmental approvals, licences, and permits
  • Ability to implement company sustainability goals and ESG (environment, social, and governance) risk management

The following interactive tool presents the core skills and knowledge engineers need as building blocks. It will also identify evolving skills needed to address the needs in each energy sector. Each energy sector uses the building blocks in different ways.  

New entrants to an EHS career can use the tool to understand the building block skills needed to work in sectors across the energy industry. Experienced EHS professionals can use the tool to explore how each building block is applied across the energy sectors. 

How to use the Tool 

  1. Click on a building block 
  2. Click on a sector  
  3. Read about how that skill can be used in a specific sector 
1

Choose a building block

  • Knowledge of operational processes and compliance requirements
  • Understanding of industrial hazards and risk management and responses
  • Knowledge of safety programs, practices, and certifications for industrial operations
  • Knowledge of requirements for environmental approvals, licences, and permits
  • Ability to implement company sustainability goals and ESG (environment, social, and governance) risk management
Knowledge of operational processes and compliance requirements

Browse energy sectors

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to oil and gas operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to offshore oil and gas operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to oil sands operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to energy services

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to pipelines

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to hydrogen operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to carbon capture and storage operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to liquified natural gas operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements refineries

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to biofuel operations

Browse energy sectors

Knowledge of operational processes and compliance requirements

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to oil and gas operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to offshore oil and gas operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to oil sands operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to energy services

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to pipelines

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to hydrogen operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to carbon capture and storage operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to liquified natural gas operations

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements refineries

Knowledge of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements

Impact of regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements to biofuel operations

Understanding of industrial hazards and risk management and responses

Browse energy sectors

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

Identification of industrial hazards

Ongoing assessment of risks for the sector such as chemical, equipment, and materials handling

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards

Ongoing assessment of risks such as working in a marine environment 

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards

Ongoing assessment of risks such as working around steam at high pressure 

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as transporting and handling materials, equipment, and chemicals in varied weather and ground conditions

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of pipeline processes and operational risks 

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures 

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as hydrogen, materials, and equipment handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as CO2, equipment, and materials handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as fuel, equipment, and materials handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as chemical, equipment, and materials handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as feedstock, materials, and equipment handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Browse energy sectors

Understanding of industrial hazards and risk management and responses

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

Identification of industrial hazards

Ongoing assessment of risks for the sector such as chemical, equipment, and materials handling

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards

Ongoing assessment of risks such as working in a marine environment 

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards

Ongoing assessment of risks such as working around steam at high pressure 

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as transporting and handling materials, equipment, and chemicals in varied weather and ground conditions

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of pipeline processes and operational risks 

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures 

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as hydrogen, materials, and equipment handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as CO2, equipment, and materials handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as fuel, equipment, and materials handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as chemical, equipment, and materials handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Identification of industrial hazards 

Ongoing assessment of risks such as feedstock, materials, and equipment handling

Handling equipment and materials in varied weather conditions

Solving, controlling, and preventing risks

Emergency response procedures

Knowledge of safety programs, practices, and certifications for industrial operations

Browse energy sectors

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
  • ISO Training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training 
  • Oil spill response

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Basic survival
  • Helicopter/vessel safety
  • Oil spill response procedures
  • Incident command training
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline construction safety (PCST)
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training 
  • Oil spill response
  • Natural gas release response

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Advanced hydrogen safety
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training 

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training courses
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Oil spill response 

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
  • ISO Training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training 
  • Natural gas release response
  • Canadian Marine Certificate of Competency
  • Small vessel operator proficiency
  • Radio licence

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Browse energy sectors

Knowledge of safety programs, practices, and certifications for industrial operations

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
  • ISO Training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training 
  • Oil spill response

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Basic survival
  • Helicopter/vessel safety
  • Oil spill response procedures
  • Incident command training
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline construction safety (PCST)
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training 
  • Oil spill response
  • Natural gas release response

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Advanced hydrogen safety
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training 

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training courses
  • ISO training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Oil spill response 

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of construction and industrial safety for worksites:

  • Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
  • ISO Training (International Organization for Standardization)
  • Incident Command System (ICS) training 
  • Natural gas release response
  • Canadian Marine Certificate of Competency
  • Small vessel operator proficiency
  • Radio licence

Conduct site inspections

Conduct incident investigations

Knowledge of requirements for environmental approvals, licences, and permits

Browse energy sectors

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

  • Environmental permits required to carry out project activities 
  • Required conditions for the protection and safety interests of the public, environment, and marine- or wild-life

Browse energy sectors

Knowledge of requirements for environmental approvals, licences, and permits

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

  • Environmental permits required to carry out project activities 
  • Required conditions for the protection and safety interests of the public, environment, and marine- or wild-life
Ability to implement company sustainability goals and ESG (environment, social, and governance) risk management

Browse energy sectors

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

Manage sustainability and ESG risk issues and impacts for the sector

Browse energy sectors

Ability to implement company sustainability goals and ESG (environment, social, and governance) risk management

Select to learn how these skills can be applied across energy sectors

Manage sustainability and ESG risk issues and impacts for the sector

Career Outlook

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