Description
This program will provide you with a fundamental understanding of occupational health and safety. The program addresses the role and responsibilities of an occupational health and safety practitioner including:
The program incorporates a multi-disciplinary approach in contributing to the development of a health and safety culture.
Red River College is continually evaluating programs to ensure that the program best meets student needs and industry standards. See Recent Changes section regarding revisions to the full-time program.
DOCUMENT SUBMISSION
Upload Through Your Future Student Account
If you do not have a Future Student Account or require assistance, please contact our Student Service Centre at 204-632-2327.
Internationally Educated Applicants - visit www.rrc.ca/credentials for credential assessment information.
However, if you apply within six weeks of the start date of the program, this item is due within 5 days of applying.
It is strongly recommended that you are proficient in basic computer skills to participate in this program. You will be required to use the following:
If you do not have these skills, it is recommended that you complete Computers - Intro (COMP-1081) prior to beginning the program.
Regular Admission Requirements
Mature Student Admission Requirements
If you are 19 years of age or older and have been out of high school for a minimum of one year at time of application, and you do not meet the regular admission requirements, you may apply under the Mature Student admission requirements.
| English Language Assessment | Minimum Required Levels | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L - Listening, S - Speaking, R - Reading, W - Writing | L | S | R | W |
| AEPUCE
(Academic English Program of University and College Entrance )
Requirement: Submission of a parchment (certificate) indicating successful completion of the AEPUCE program, including language levels achieved if available. | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| CAEL and CAEL Online (Canadian Academic English Language) | 60 | 70 | 70 | 60 |
| CLB (LINC)
(Canadian Language Benchmark - Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)
Canadian Citizens: LINC programs are not available. | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Duolingo
(Duolingo English Test)
* MINIMUM OVERAL SCORE OF 115 REQUIRED. There are no minimum required levels for L,S,R,W. Only Duolingo English Test scores that have been verified through the Duolingo English Test Portal will be accepted. | 0* | 0* | 0* | 0* |
| IELTS - Academic
(International English Language Testing System)
Please Note: 3 year expiry date for Nursing Program Applicants | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| PTE - Academic Online Assessment (Pearson Test of English) | 58 | 65 | 65 | 58 |
| Password Skills
(An in person English Language Assessment hosted by RRC Polytech)
This in-person, computer-based test is composed of four test modules: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The test takes 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete and is conducted in two parts. The first part assesses reading, listening, and writing, and the second part assesses speaking in a separate room.
Password Skills is hosted by the RRC Polytech Testing and Assessment Centre: E440, Manitou a bi Bii Daziigae building, on the fourth floor.
If you wish to do Password Skills remotely (not in-person), Password Skills Plus can be taken online. RRC Polytech does not offer Password Skills Plus, but we do accept the results for entry into program.
| 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Password Skills Plus (Password Skills Plus is an online assessment that can be taken instead of Password Skills. ) | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| TOEFL-iBT
(Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet Based Test)
To meet the needs of students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT® test at a test center due to public health concerns, ETS is temporarily offering the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test in selected areas. | 20 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
| Location | Start Date | Apply Link |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Campus | Sep 22, 2025 | Apply Now |
Students may apply for financial assistance through the Manitoba Student Aid program. For general information on applying please call 204-945-6321 or 1-800-204-1685, or visit their website at www.manitobastudentaid.ca, which also includes an online application. For detailed information, please visit one of the RRC Polytech Student Service Centres or call 204-632-2327. Applicants requiring financial assistance should complete their student loan applications well in advance of the class start date.
Explore the basic concepts of environmental management as it relates to the workplace environment including air, water and soil pollution, hazardous waste management and environmental assessment. Review the impact of federal, provincial and municipal environmental legislation on the workplace.
Write learning outcomes/goals that meet the needs of the organization and individuals. Apply adult teaching and learning principles and practices to develop and deliver OH&S training. Practice using training techniques and methods and apply assessment methods. Learn how to evaluate external training to determine applicability to your organization.
Overview the basics of project management including theory and core methodology needed to manage projects or participate on project teams. Develop an introductory understanding of the generally accepted knowledge areas and practices of project management, including terminology. Learn how to apply basic processes, tools, and techniques. Develop a basic project plan in a team environment through focus on conceptual underpinnings of project management techniques to plan, organize, control, document, and close projects successfully and with minimum risk.
This practical application course provides you with experience in the use of a systematic approach to evaluate and explain safety performance in terms of strengths and weaknesses. You will learn to evaluate and explain statistical data, safety objectives, scorecards, critical incidents, and critical behaviors within an organization. Using a case study approach, you will perform an audit to evaluate and analyze the OHS management system in an organization and recommend a continuous improvement process.
Locate and use basic research, statistical concepts and terminology in the context of relevant OH&S applications. Learn how to review, compile, interpret, and critically evaluate literature and data to write reports and support enhancements to workplace health and safety.
Risk management is about a proactive approach to managing safety, with prevention as the focus. You will address the key elements of risk management and identify, assess, and evaluate risks and controls to effectively manage OH&S responsibilities. Explore the theories of incident causation and prevention and gain the knowledge and skills necessary to apply the principles of OHS risk management process and the preparation of safe work communication strategies.
This course focuses on physical hazards and controls in the workplace utilizing a risk management framework. Use a variety of inspection skills and outline the essential parts of an incident investigation process. Learn how to evaluate workplace incidents, utilize studies and data, and apply appropriate legislation and regulations.
Acquire knowledge of the legal and ethical responsibilities of all parties and those of the OH&S practitioner, including professional and ethical codes of conduct, commitment to excellence, personal growth and life-long learning. Explore the general concepts of legislation relevant to the safety field, including the history of the Canadian legal system which sets the tone for introducing the concepts of workers' compensation, safety regulation, due diligence, consultation, and enforcement. Learn how to approach and resolve ethical dilemmas.
Recognition and evaluation of hazards is foundational to the creation of a safe work environment. This course will develop your ability to identify and determine physical, biological, chemical, cognitive and psychosocial hazards and controls for the workplace environment. This course will provide you both the theoretical and practical experience necessary to evaluate and implement hazard controls in the workplace environment, such as administrative, engineering, and personal protective equipment
The ability to inform management and other stakeholders of the need for change in OHS practices requires significant comprehension of the variables affecting that information. Learn how to prepare reports that utilize current OHS research, issues, and workplace performance data from OHS documentation. Plan and manage meetings following generally accepted formats. Present OHS report findings to the management of an organization for decision making.
Obtain the skills to recognize, identify, monitor, evaluate and recommend control of health and safety risks associated with chemical, physical, and biological agents. You will learn the benefits of implementing an occupational hygiene program. Explore a range of hygiene topics including routes of entry, permissible levels, exposure limits, radiation, temperature and pressure extremes, asbestos contamination, ventilation design and methods of measurement and control.
Ergonomics is the study of workers' interaction with their workplace. Explore introductory principles and concepts of occupational ergonomics, emphasizing strategies and techniques for improving worker safety, health, efficiency, and comfort. Acquire knowledge related to musculoskeletal injuries, assessment tools and, ergonomic programs. Discuss literature and media reports on recent trends in the ergonomics field and learn how to develop elements of a sound workplace ergonomics program.
Explore the relationship of Occupational Health and Safety to organizational and management systems. Address leadership commitment, open communication, interpersonal skills, and legal accountability as core concepts that form the basis for achieving organizational goals and effective safety programs. Obligations and liabilities of the OH&S practitioner/safety generalist within the structure and function of management systems and the responsibilities of all parties are addressed.
This supervised workplace experience or Capstone Project allows you the opportunity to apply your skills and abilities as an OH&S professional. Through the mentorship provided to you, you will work both individually and as a member of the workplace team to advocate change, design and deliver training, and apply risk management principles through the application of legislative requirements, industry standards and best practices.
Acquire background knowledge about occupational health in the workplace. Promote health and wellness initiatives in the workplace. Learn about occupational disease and psychosocial risks. Apply appropriate legislation and standards to workplace practices and learn how to manage a return to work process.
Develop the essential knowledge and skills required to develop, coordinate, implement, maintain, and evaluate an OH&S program within an organizational construct. Develop the policies and procedures required for a written OH&S program including workplace inspections, accident investigations, record keeping, first aid, ergonomics, emergency preparedness, job hazard analysis, training, work procedures and regular program review.
Based on the nature of the work experience placement, you may be required to submit Adult Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector, Provincial Child Abuse Registry and Adult Abuse Registry check documents. You must submit original documents dated not more than six months prior to you attending the work place experience. For further information, visit rrc.ca/recordcheckft
You may be placed in a variety of organizations or industries for work experience as an Occupational Health and Safety practitioner. All practicums are arranged by the College and will take place in Winnipeg.
Online learning is a critical component of course delivery in all Red River College programs. To ensure each student has the tools they need to achieve their academic goals, all Red River College students require, at minimum:
1. Off-campus access to a current computer with a webcam
2. A high speed internet connection
• Recommended minimum speed: 10 mbps for download, 3 mbps for upload
• Slower internet connection speeds may result in audio and video issues. Please keep in mind that if others in your home are using the same internet connection at the same time as you are, you may also experience audio and video issues.
• Please refer to https://www.rrc.ca/future-students/computer-requirements/ for further information on Computer Requirements for Students.
Please note that any anticipated costs are not included in Books and Supplies estimates.
You must complete your program within four years from the start of the first course in the program, unless otherwise stated in the program outline.
To graduate you must successfully complete all OHS theory courses, with a minimum of C+ and pass the workplace experience. The workplace experience is evaluated on a pass/fail basis.
You will not be granted more than 75% of your credit requirements for graduation through transfer of credit.
When you have successfully completed all the required courses in this program, be sure to apply for your certificate. For complete details on applying to graduate and convocation, see rrc.ca/convocation.
Questions about graduation? Please call 204-694-1789 or 1-866-242-7073 for assistance.
Graduation with Honours
If you obtain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 or better for the program, you will graduate with honours. If you fail any course in the program, you will not be eligible for this honours designation.