Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health: A Comprehensive Guide

The field of occupational safety and health is crucial for ensuring safe and healthy working environments. A diploma in this area equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, assess, and control workplace hazards, ultimately preventing injuries and illnesses. This article provides a detailed overview of what a diploma in occupational safety and health entails, including curriculum components, program outcomes, and career prospects.

Program Description

A diploma in Occupational Safety and Health is awarded to students completing the pattern listed with a 2.0 GPA or higher. This program is designed for students preparing to enter the safety and health field and for those currently working in safety and occupational health who desire updating or cross training. It is also an option for students already possessing a higher-level degree.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum typically covers a wide range of topics essential for a safety and health professional. Here's a breakdown of the courses, mirroring a suggested full-time schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits:

Semester 1

OSHT 101 - Occupational Safety and Health Management (3 Credits): Introduces the fundamental principles of safety and health management systems.
OSHT 106 - Hazard Recognition and Control (3 Credits): Focuses on identifying potential hazards in the workplace and implementing effective control measures.
OSHT 111 - Safety and Health Standards (3 Credits): Provides a comprehensive overview of relevant safety and health regulations and standards. Emphasizes safety standards and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), its rules and regulations (OSHA 10). This course is designed to teach students a wide range of occupational safety and health topics including introduction to Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), common physical and health hazards, and hazard identification in the work place. Students will learn about their rights and responsibilities and gain valuable knowledge about how they can protect themselves and others from hazards in the workplace.
OSHT 121 - Construction Safety and Health (3 Credits): Addresses the specific safety challenges and regulations within the construction industry.
OSHT 161 - Introduction to Industrial Hygiene (3 Credits): Introduces the principles of industrial hygiene and the assessment of workplace health hazards.

Semester 2

ENVS 142 - Environmental Law and Regulation (3 Credits): Covers environmental laws and regulations relevant to occupational safety and health.
OSHT 226 - Safety and Health Management Analysis (3 Credits): Delves into the analysis of safety and health management systems for continuous improvement.
OSHT 251 - Recognition and Control of Physical and Health Hazards (3 Credits): Provides in-depth knowledge of recognizing and controlling various physical and health hazards.
OSHT 266 - Applied Industrial Hygiene (4 Credits): Offers practical application of industrial hygiene principles in real-world scenarios.

Additional Requirements

ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College (1 Credit): Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College. This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC.
Total Credits Required for Certificate: 28

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

Advise organizational management regarding the establishment of an effective, cost saving occupational injury and illness prevention program via the: establishment of a safety management system, development of a positive safety culture, and application of proven safety principles and practices.
Provide effective safety and health training to all levels of an organization based upon recognized training methods.
Conduct hazard analyses to identify workplace hazards and develop cost effective control strategies for the identified hazards.
Apply basic industrial hygiene principles to conduct preliminary health hazard assessment to determine appropriate plans of actions.
Function effectively in construction safety, either as a safety professional working for contractors or as safety representatives of the property owner.
Apply regulatory and voluntary safety standards to ensure compliance and employee safety.
Continue on towards associate or higher degrees in safety, industrial hygiene, science, business management, fire science, environmental management, homeland security, human resource management, and other areas of interest to the student.
Sit for the terminal professional certification of Certified Safety Professional, after the requisite years of experience and if they already possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in any subject.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - For Occupational Safety and Health Technology, see Portfolio.

Read also: Comprehensive OHS Training

OSHA Training and Certification

While OSHA does not officially "certify" individuals, you can earn a 10-hour or 30-hour OSHA DOL card by completing an authorized OSHA Outreach Training course.

OSHA's Safety and Health Fundamentals Certificate program support's OSHA's mission by training public and private sector employees in occupational safety and health to reduce incident rates for workers. Participants can choose from a variety of topics such as occupational safety and health standards, safety and health management, incident investigation, fall hazard awareness, and recordkeeping. All courses required to complete the certificate program are available through OTI Education Centers. To be awarded a certificate, students must successfully complete a minimum of 68 (Construction and General Industry) or 77 (Maritime) contact hours. Courses are transferable and may be completed at different OTI Education Centers. For locations nationwide, please view the OTI Education Centers Map.

OSHA 10-Hour Training

Learn essential safety hazard prevention. Get certified in OSHA 10 Construction or General Industry and receive your DOL card in just 2 weeks! Official OSHA DOL Card Free Study Guide Included.

OSHA 30-Hour Training

Learn advanced workplace safety for supervisors. Get certified in OSHA 30 Construction or General Industry and receive your DOL card in just 2 weeks! Official OSHA DOL Card Free Study Guide Included.

HAZWOPER Training

HAZWOPER Training protects workers at hazardous sites. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was created in 1970 to prevent dangerous working conditions. They require workers to complete safety compliance training courses covering lessons on eliminating or diminishing occupational injury, illness, and death to achieve this goal.

Benefits of Online OSHA Training

OSHA training is becoming mandatory in more states and industries every day. Online training is the most convenient way to take OSHA-authorized training.

Read also: High School Diploma Jobs

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