The University of Fredericton (UFred) is launching a new program within its School of Occupational Health and Safety. The Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Systems (COHSES) program focuses on a systems- and process-based approach to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) concerns and solutions.
The COHSES program is part of the progression of becoming an established OHS practitioner or professional. Graduates learn how to bridge the gap and effectively communicate their plans at both the worker level and the managerial and executive level. The curriculum is not limited to a jurisdiction's legislative framework; rather, it is a far-reaching collection of systems approaches and best practices as identified by OHS professionals and referencing a wide range of jurisdictions and legislative backgrounds. Its focus is on understanding the balance between safety management system structure, safety leadership and culture, as well as the knowledge, skills and capabilities to address them.
The new course content has been mapped to various frameworks, blueprints and body of knowledge documents, using the International Network of Safety and Health Practioner Organizations' (INSHPO) Global Framework as its foundation. The curriculum is aligned with many external designation bodies such as the National Examination Board in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH - UK) and includes materials that were mapped to the blueprints from the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), as well as the Australian Institute of Safety and Health's (AISH) body of knowledge documents.
Courses:
Intro to OHSE - This course deals with extending the responsibilities of safety program policy and administration in organizational cultures. Law & Ethics - Learn the basic principles of applying due to diligence, as well as compliance with health, safety and environmental standards.
Safety Management Systems - Simply complying with regulatory standards is typically an ineffective approach to reducing workplace losses. This course teaches a variety of approaches to accomplish this prevention goal.
Hazard, Identification, Risk Assessment & Control - In this course, students learn several basic risk assessment tools and the skills necessary to mitigate risk proactively, and foster collaboration with stakeholders to identify and prioritize workplace risks.
Organizational Development & Behaviour - This course introduces the basic concepts of management and organizational behaviour in the context of using those concepts for the strategic development of occupational health, safety and environmental processes within an organization.
Leadership & Communication - Learn the language of communication, the power of ethical messaging and how thoughtful design is essential to leading in an OHS workplace.
Safety Training - In this course, students learn effective workplace training tools - and the ability to implement intelligent training strategies - that are key for effective leadership.
Industrial & Occupational Hygiene - Knowing basic identifcation and management principles to deal with common workplace hazards enables a more effective health, safety and environmental management program.
Environmental Management - Learn the skills that enable appropriate stewardship of our environment and how to integrate an effective management program with people, property, environment and processes.
Incident Investigation & Response - This course introduces the basic concepts of incident causation and investigation with the intention of using those concepts for the strategic development of occupational health, safety and environmental processes within an organizational context.
Guided Practicum - Wth six options to choose from, the practicum is evaluated based on the application of context from the courses, additional research and the utility of the project. Students are coached through the entire process.
Fire Management - Covers standards and requirements for a Fire Prevention and Management program.
Fundamentals of Auditing - Upon successful completion of this course, students will have an in depth overview of the principles of auditing as well as an appreciation of audit instruments.
UFred OHS programs focus on improving our students ability to identify, prioritize and manage workplace hazards and risks, and provide them with necessary communication considerations to provide leadership guidance on safety, health and environment management issues in a variety of work environments.
Depending on your career pathway goals, this certificate program provides the basis and educational requirements for various certification and designation pathways, including Canada's CRSP.
For more information on UFred's COHSES program, download the brochure.
Ready to get started? Apply now.
