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Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Occupational Safety

A technical based profession focused on the safety of workers and business.

There are many opportunities in a wide array of fields:

  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Services and Education
  • Public Administration/Government
  • Utilities
  • Mining, Oil and Gas
Students learning about safety supplies in EHS lab

The Safety specialization supports the development of these key skills:

  • Hazard identification
  • Risk analysis
  • Fire and environmental safety
  • Ergonomics
  • Product safety

In addition to foundational technology courses, Safety students take some of these key courses:

  • Occupational Safety
  • Principles of Injury Prevention
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Fire Protection and Prevention
  • Legal Aspects of Occupational Safety and Health
  • Risk Analysis and Management

It is a customizable path that can be tailored to each student’s interests and career trajectory.

Person walking on stairs of feed mill analyzing safety measures.

Potential Employers

  • AGCO
  • Bunge Corporation
  • General Electric
  • Kreg Tool
  • Smithfield Foods
  • Smurfit Westrock

  • Positions for Safety graduates

    • Fire Safety Inspector
    • Safety Coordinator
    • Safety Development Coordinator
    • Safety Engineer*
    • Safety Manager
    • Site Safety Specialist

    *Industrial Technology graduates are not licensed engineers, although employers may place them in positions with “engineering” in the job title.

Want to learn more?

Ask us about how to add a Feed Technology Minor or Occupational Safety certificate to your Safety curriculum.

Contact Tamara Kerns, academic advisor at tkerns@iastate.edu with questions about the Safety option and ITEC major.

 

Are you looking to hire Safety graduates?

At Iowa State, we strive to produce safety graduates who have knowledge, skills, and abilities in improving safety effectiveness by developing, coordinating and evaluating safety issues. This translates to a comprehensive approach that focuses on technical skills enhancing the safety of employees and business. We prepare graduates for a variety of careers for a broad spectrum of industries, businesses, and organizations in the fields of manufacturing, construction and many others.

Get Involved!

We are always looking for ways to connect students to industry experiences, host professionals in the classroom, and create unique hands-on activities to build career-ready graduates.

For more information on ways to get involved, contact Tamara Kerns, academic advisor at tkerns@iastate.edu.