The 21st International Conference “Man and Working Environment”
SAFETY ENGINEERING & MANAGEMENT SCIENCE, INDUSTRY, EDUCATION (SEMSIE 2025)   
PROCEEDINGS OF PAPERS 
25-26 September 2025, SOKOBANJA, SERBIA  

Vesna Nikolić 

REVIEW PAPER

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY ENGINEERS: FROM IDENTITY CRISIS TO RECOGNIZED PROFESSION 

DOI: 10.46793/SEMSIE25.113N
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Abstract:

This paper, beginning with a historical overview of the evolution of the occupational health and safety engineering profession, examines the characteristics of recognized professions and, based on this discourse, outlines the challenges and offers recommendations for the development of identity and formal recognition of the occupational health and safety engineering profession in contemporary social and economic contexts. These observations collectively suggest that the field of safety is still facing challenges in defining its core purpose and clarifying its professional identity. The article proposes strategies for addressing this identity crisis. In particular, the author explores the potential role of education and certification in facilitating the professional maturity of OSH and achieving the recognition it seeks as a fully acknowledged profession.

Keywords:

Profession, engineers, occupational safety and health

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

This paper is supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia pursuant to agreement № 451-03-137/2025-03/ 200148, Goals SD 3 and 4, with the University of Niš, Faculty of Occupational Safety.

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