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 students’ needs and industry standards. See the Recent Changes section regarding revisions to the part-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 Scores for Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas, and Post Graduate Certificates, Post-graduate Diplomas | Minimum Scores for Bachelor Degrees and Creative Communication | International Pathway to Nursing Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAEL Online or In-Person | Overall band score of 60 | Overall band score of 70 and Writing of 60 | Overall band score of 60 |
| IELTS Academic Level | Overall 6.0 and No band below 5.5 | Overall 6.5 and No band below 6.0 | Overall 6.0 and No band below 6.0 |
| Password Skills | Overall 6.0 and No band below 5.5 | Overall 6.5 and No band below 6.0 | Overall 6.0 and No band below 5.5 |
| Password Skills Plus | Overall 6.0 and No band below 5.5 | Overall 6.5 and No band below 6.0 | Overall 6.0 and No band below 5.5 |
| LINC Certificate | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| Duolingo Language Test | 115 and above+ with a min. of 95 in each section | 125 and above with a min. of 100 in each section | 115 and above+ with a min. of 95 in each section |
| New English for Academic and Professional Purposes | Successful completion of the program 5 (min 70%) | Successful completion of the program 5 (min 70%) | Successful completion of the program 5 (min 70%) |
| PTE | 54 overall Min 50 in each skill |
60 overall Min 55 in each skill band |
54 overall Min 50 in each skill |
| TOEFL-ibt Academic Level | 80 (20L, 20S, 19R, 21W) |
90 (22L, 22S, 22R, 24W) |
80 (20L, 20S, 19R, 21W) |
| TOEFL MYBest Score | 4 of 6 (4.5L, 4S, 4R, 4.5W) |
4.5 of 6 (5L, 4S, 4.5R, 5W) |
4 of 6 (4.5L, 4S, 4R, 4.5W) |
| Academic English Program for University and College Entrance Program (AEPUCE) | Successful Completion | Successful Completion | Successful Completion |
| CELBAN | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Location | Start Date | Apply Link |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Campus | Sep 21, 2026 | 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.
The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program includes a required work placement that allows students to apply their learning in a real workplace setting.
Below are answers to common questions from students
considering the program.
About the work placement
Is a work placement required to complete the OHS program?
Yes. A work placement is a required component of the full-time OHS program.
How long is the work placement?
The work placement is six (6) weeks in length.
When does the work placement take place within the
program?
The work placement takes place at the end of the program and is the
final requirement students complete before graduation.
Is the work placement full-time or part-time?
The placement is full-time for the full six (6) week period.
Is the placement paid or unpaid?
The work placement is unpaid.
Is the placement guaranteed?
Yes, an appropriate placement will be arranged by the program through a
designated instructor. Conditional on the successful completion of all (OH&S)
Certificate program theory courses.
Where placements happen
What types of organizations host OHS students for work
placement?
Work placements occur across a wide range of industries where occupational
health and safety professionals are employed. These may include private,
public, and non-profit organizations.
Are placements mostly in Winnipeg or are there options
outside the city?
Placements are primarily located in Winnipeg, though opportunities
outside the city may be available in some cases.
Do placements include construction, manufacturing,
healthcare, or public sector organizations?
Yes. Placements may occur across many sectors, including construction,
manufacturing, healthcare, and the public sector, depending on availability and
program needs.
Will I be working with an experienced safety
professional?
The student
will work under the guidance of an experienced Safety & Health
Facilitator/Coordinator and the RRC Workplace Experience Instructor.
Student involvement and expectations
Do I need to find my own placement?
No. The program arranges all work placements on behalf of students.
Can I contact employers directly to arrange a placement?
No. Students must not contact employers directly to arrange a work
placement.
The OHS program maintains long-standing relationships with
industry partners. These relationships are coordinated and managed through the
Work Placement Instructor to ensure placements meet learning, supervision, and
safety requirements.
Can I use my current employer as my work placement?
To guarantee fair and unbiased practicum experience and avoid any possible
conflict of interest students cannot use their current employer.
What happens if I already work in health and safety?
The work placement is a required academic component of the program regardless
of past or present work experience.
Readiness and support
What kinds of tasks or responsibilities do students
typically have during placement?
The work placement provides
the opportunity to apply the theories, principles and techniques involved in
the planning, implementation and monitoring of an effective safety and health
system in the workplace. Task can include but are not limited to, risk
assessments, hazard recognition, auditing, preparing safe work procedures, and
conducting safety and health training.
How does the program make sure placements are safe and
appropriate?
The program has a rigorous placement process designed to ensure student
safety and appropriate learning opportunities. Each placement is reviewed to
confirm it meets program expectations.
While every effort is made to find a strong match for each
student, placements are based on availability and program requirements and may
not align with a student’s preferred industry or organization.
Who supports students during the work placement?
Students are supported throughout their placement by an experienced health and
safety mentor and the work placement instructor.
What happens if a placement isn’t a good fit?
Students and workplace mentors will be made aware of expectations prior to the
start of the placement. The program works with students and mentors to address
concerns that arise during placement.
Timing, planning, and accommodations
When will I know where my placement is?
Work placements should be determined at least two weeks before the placement
starts. There may be placements that have additional administrative
requirements well in advance of the start date, so some students may be
informed sooner than others.
Do placements ever require security clearance or extra
onboarding?
Some placements may require security clearance or additional onboarding. The
program works with students to ensure these requirements are completed where
applicable.
Can the placement timing be adjusted if I have special
circumstances?
The work placement takes place at the end of the program and follows a defined
schedule. Adjustments are limited.
What if I require an accommodation?
Students who require accommodation should contact RRC Polytech Accessibility Services
before starting the program so appropriate arrangements can be explored
and put in place.
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.