2/18/2021 10 Common Health and Safety Interview Questions and Answers

. ‘What do you think the position’s day-to-day activities involve?’

The intent of this question is to ensure that you know what the position entails and that
you did not just perform an application submission blitz to any employer in your area that
is searching for a health and safety officer.

This question could be interchangeable with ‘Did you read the ad?’.

Now, how do you answer the question? While it is not necessary to memorise the job ad,
it is critical to know what your daily tasks will consist of. Otherwise, you could damage
your odds of you being accepted for the employment opportunity.

Here is an example of how you could answer:

‘Based on what was listed in the advertisement, my day-to-day responsibilities would

involve documenting work observations, analysing safety data, reviewing and modifying
safety plans and preventing workplace hazards. I know that things could change on a
moment’s notice, and I think that my credentials show that I can adapt to any
environment almost immediately.’

2. ‘Why does this company interest you as a health and safety

officer?’
Does the company interest you, or the paycheque?

Indeed, most employers know that their employees are applying their human capital to
collect weekly earnings. That said, hiring managers put forward this question to see if
you researched the firm and what you liked about it.

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2/18/2021 10 Common Health and Safety Interview Questions and Answers

Here is an example of how to reply:

‘After I read the job ad, I researched your company, and I was impressed by its
achievements. I know I want to be a part of an organisation that not only values
workplace health and safety but a company that also wants to move beyond the status
quo. I think that’s what your business brings to the table: Establishing the bar so that
your competitors have to adapt to your high standards.’

3. ‘What is the risk assessment process?’

Okay, smarty pants. So far, so good. Now let’s see what you know (or don’t know) about
your position.

This question is meant to showcase your knowledge about everything related to health
and safety. While anyone with a modicum of experience in the sector will answer it
correctly, you can still highlight your expertise:

‘In the most elementary of terms, the risk-assessment process identifies hazards and
risk factors that could spawn severe circumstances. My job is to analyse, evaluate and
respond to these risks connected to the hazards.’

4. ‘What would you do to improve the safety culture in our

business?’

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2/18/2021 10 Common Health and Safety Interview Questions and Answers

In other words, what can you bring to the table without just emulating your predecessor?

In today’s environment, companies are expected to adopt regulations and comply with
the myriad of rules imposed on the business by the federal, state/provincial, or municipal
government. If not, massive fines and potential lawsuits could be in order for the
company, which is why businesses – large and small – will hire a health and safety
officer.

You could tackle this question by saying:

‘I think that with my knowledge and experience, I can ensure that your company follows
the required protocols so that everyone performs their job safely and responsibly. That
said, if I see an area that needs tremendous improvement or I think that certain staff
members are not adhering to what we lay out, I will intervene and institute new
measures.’

5. ‘How would you respond if a coworker failed to adhere to our

health and safety protocols?’

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2/18/2021 10 Common Health and Safety Interview Questions and Answers

Will you toe the line? Or will you be a stool pigeon? At first, it might be easy to say that
you would reprimand a colleague who refused to abide by the protocols. However, once
you become chummy with your coworkers, you might find yourself in a difficult position.
What will you do? That’s what the human resources manager wants to know.

Here is something that you could use to reply to this question:

‘This is a good question because I always strive to keep the balance between office
camaraderie and the rules. Right now, on the outside looking in, I think I would certainly
hand out warnings to folks. If they repeatedly violate our rules, I will not hesitate to write
them up and submit it to my superior.’

6. ‘If you heard a colleague talking about nearly having an

accident during a task, what would you do?’
Once again, this question’s purpose is to determine how you will manage or direct a
team of employees, including the ones you may be friendly with during your shift. If you
walk by a conversation about a risky incident, would you intervene or go straight to your
superiors? This is a tough question, but a mix of honesty and practicality is the best
reply:

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‘If I overheard a colleague revealing something like this, I would approach them and
enquire about what happened. It’s important to know if the incident occurred due to their
own actions or because of external factors such as faulty equipment.

In the case of the former, and the person routinely violates protocols or doesn’t take
necessary safety steps, that is when action is necessary. But, if it were the latter, then I
would have to inspect the situation further before consulting my superiors.’

7. ‘What would you do if a manager ignored your health and

safety report and went as far as asking you to ignore a safety
violation?’
This is when it is important to go ahead of your manager and speak with the boss or
head honcho. Indeed, if your manager is refusing to comply with a health and safety
report, then what are the odds others will, too? This is serious, and having the top
person at the company intervene is necessary.

You can explain this in your answer:

‘The manager is there to set an example and be a leader. If the manager is not charging
ahead and implementing recommendations in a health and safety report, this is bad
news for the company at large because you want to ensure the wellbeing of all your
staff. This could also harm the company’s reputation. As a health and safety officer, then,
it would be my responsibility to report this to a supervisor and ensure the safety of every
employee.’

8. ‘What do you think is more important: Productivity or health

and safety?’
Believe it or not, the answer to this question is straight-forward, and it does not require a
diplomatic response. Remember, your role as a health and safety officer is to enhance
the wellbeing of staff. If not, what are you doing there? And you can inform the
interviewer of this with this kind of answer:

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‘Well, my job is to make sure everyone is healthy and safe as they perform their duties. It
is up to my colleagues – superiors and subordinates – to find ways to remain productive.
My own duty lies in making recommendations that will create a safer environment for
everyone – sometimes this can also result in staff being more productive, too as they
feel more comfortable in their working conditions.’

9. ‘What is your management style?’

Laissez-faire, authoritarian or collaborative – everyone has their own managing style. It
is important to highlight how you would manage employees from your vantage point. No
matter how you would broach the situation, it is imperative to present a reasonable
defence as to why. Even if the hiring manager disapproves, they can still be convinced
or empathetic to your reasons.

What could you say? Well, perhaps something along the lines of:

‘I would describe my managing style as democratic. When I have had to delegate or

assign tasks, I took a more collaborative approach. I presented my findings, listed
recommendations and asked for suggestions of their own. Although I’m an expert in my
field, I always heed others’ advice because they may have a unique approach to the
issue at hand.’

10. ‘If after six months on the job you have not improved the
safety culture within our firm, what would you do?’
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Before you consider how to answer this question, you should know that termination is
not the only solution to this conundrum. Indeed, there are many different approaches to
take if things are not improving, and unless the owner or HR manager is a tyrannical
micromanager, your neck is not always on the line.

So, that said, what is the best way to handle this kind of situation?

‘I think I am capable of improving the safety culture of any organisation within six
months. However, if this doesn’t happen, then I think it would be time to hold a meeting
with my superiors and discuss the areas which may still need further improvements as
well as rethink our approach.

A little bit of enforcement, a new way of grappling with problems and engaging with each
employee could be some of the tactics I would employ. Perhaps something of a down-up
strategy rather than a top-down one. But, once again, I trust my abilities to have a
positive impact on your company within such a time frame.’

Knowing how to answer an interview question can be tricky. You may have an idea of
what the interviewer will ask, but there are times when they come out of the left field,
making you look like a deer in the headlights during the interview.

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2/18/2021 10 Common Health and Safety Interview Questions and Answers

That said, when you are knowledgeable of your industry and feel confident in your
abilities, you don’t need to feel intimidated. You are the expert, remember that!

Have you ever had to answer any of these health and safety interview questions? Let us
know in the comments section below!

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