Product Safety Engineer
Other Titles
Product Safety and Standards Engineer, Product Safety Consultant, Product Safety Coordinator, Product Safety Engineer, Product Safety Manager, Product Safety Officer, Risk Control Product Liability Director, Service Loss Control Consultant, System Safety Engineer
Develop and conduct tests to evaluate product safety levels and recommend measures to reduce or eliminate hazards.
Product Safety Engineers are responsible for evaluating various products to make sure they are safe for use. Identifying the potential physical or chemical hazards of a product and finding ways to prevent them is an important aspect of their job role. They determine the safety level of a given product and investigate any accidents caused by a product and identify its causes. Based on this data, they recommend preventive measures and design changes. A part of their job is to advise other personnel in developing appropriate precautionary labels for different products.
Investigate causes of accidents, injuries, or illnesses related to product usage to develop solutions to minimize or prevent recurrence.
Conduct research to evaluate safety levels for products.
Report accident investigation findings.
Evaluate product designs for safety.
Recommend procedures for detection, prevention, and elimination of physical, chemical, or other product hazards.
Evaluate potential health hazards or damage that could occur from product misuse.
Participate in preparation of product usage and precautionary label instructions.
Provide expert testimony in litigation cases.
Develop industry standards of product safety.
Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Operations Analysis→ Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Science→ Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Quality Control Analysis→ Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Systems Evaluation→ Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Learning Strategies→ Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Systems Analysis→ Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material→ Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others→ Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information→ Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Coaching and Developing Others→ Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates→ Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Developing Objectives and Strategies→ Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Selling or Influencing Others→ Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others→ Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Performing Administrative Activities→ Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources→ Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Problem Sensitivity→ The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Flexibility of Closure→ The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Mathematical Reasoning→ The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Fluency of Ideas→ The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Originality→ The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Visualization→ The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Far Vision→ The ability to see details at a distance.
Perceptual Speed→ The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Engineering and Technology→ Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of the language English including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Design→ Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Law and Government→ Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Administration and Management→ Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mechanical→ Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics→ Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Production and Processing→ Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Chemistry→ Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Public Safety and Security→ Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Physics→ Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Education and Training→ Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Computers and Electronics→ Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Analytical or scientific software -- Functional hazard analysis software; Fault tree analysis software; Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety software; Failure mode and effects analysis FMEA software; Design Safety Engineering Designsafe
Compliance software -- Product safety documentation software
Computer aided design CAD software -- Engineering math software; Autodesk AutoCAD; Mathsoft Mathcad
Customer relationship management CRM software
Database user interface and query software -- Reliability information software; Microsoft Access
Development environment software -- e.g., Eclipse IDE; Microsoft Visual Basic; National Instruments LabVIEW
Enterprise resource planning ERP software -- e.g., Infor; Workday; Sapama; Sage; Syspro; SAP
Object or component oriented development software -- e.g., C++
Office suite software -- e.g., LibreOffice; Google Workspace; Microsoft Office
Operating system software -- e.g., Linux; Microsoft Windows
Presentation software -- e.g., Google Slides; Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software -- e.g., Microsoft Project
Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Google Sheets; Microsoft Excel
Word processing software -- e.g., Google Docs; Microsoft Word
Ageing ovens→ Accelerated ageing testers
Calibrated resistance measuring equipment→ Rise of resistance measurement systems
Calipers→ Digital calipers
Calorimeters→ Differential scanning calorimeters; Oxygen bomb calorimeters
Chemical absorption gas analyzers→ Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectroscopy gas analyzers
Comparators→ Optical comparators
Compression testers→ Digital force gauges
Corrosion testers→ Electrolytic corrosion testing equipment
Desktop computers
Electrical or power regulators→ Rheostats
Feeler gauges
Flexure or transverse testing machines→ Cold bend testers; Flex testing machines
Force or torque sensors→ Force transducers
Friction apparatus→ Slipmeters
Fume hoods or cupboards→ Flame hoods
Heat stress monitors→ Glow wire testers
Hipot testers→ High-pot testers
Impact hammers
Infrared spectrometers→ Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrometers
Instrument transformers→ Isolation transformers; Variable transformers
Insulation resistance meters→ Insulation resistance testers
Laboratory enclosure accessories→ Dust chambers
Laboratory sprayers→ Oscillating spray testers
Laser measuring systems→ Repose angle measuring devices
Leak testing equipment→ Line leakage testers
Micrometers→ Digital micrometers
Multimeters→ Switch testing devices
Notebook computers
Ohmmeters
Oxygen gas analyzers→ Oxygen index apparatus
Pressure indicators→ Ball pressure testers
Pycnometers
Radiation detectors→ Ion chamber survey meters
Shock testing apparatus→ Bump testers; Electric iron drop test machines; Impact test balls; Pendulum impact apparatus etc
Sound measuring apparatus or decibel meter→ Sound level meters
Temperature and humidity walk in environmental chamber→ Humidity test chambers
Temperature gauge→ Temperature gauges
Tension testers→ Socket outlet test machines
Thermal differential analyzers→ Dynamic mechanical analyzers DMA
Thermo gravimetry analyzers→ Thermogravimetric analyzers
Torsion testers→ Cord anchorage pull machines; Cord anchorage test devices; Socket outlet torque balance testers
Vibration testers
Voltage or current meters→ Direct current stability testing devices; Surge testing devices; Voltmeters
Wattmeters→ Digital wattmeters
Wear testers→ Tribometers
Investigative→ Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional→ Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.
Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Working Conditions→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.