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 part-time program.
It is strongly recommended that you are proficient in basic computer skills. In this program you will access and use the internet to locate resource material, a word-processing program to complete assignments, a spreadsheet program, and email to communicate with instructors.
Regular Admission Requirements:
Successful completion of Grade 12, including one credit in each of the following:
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 the time of application, and you do not meet the regular admission requirements, you may apply under the Mature Student admission requirements.
Take this program if you are responsible for occupational health and safety in your workplace, if you wish to advance your knowledge in a specific area of OH&S, or if you are pursuing a career in the field.
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.
Study the fundamental aspects and principles of project management including life cycle, integration, planning, organization and communication. Learn about work breakdown structures, diagramming, cost management and resource allocation. Examine today’s issues affecting project management including risk management, quality, conflict, and team building.
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.
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. All theory courses must be completed prior to registering for this course.
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.
Students enrolling in Part-Time and Online Education courses may be required to purchase textbooks and materials at participating Campus Store locations or online at bookstore.rrc.ca. Student booklists will be available approximately 3 weeks prior to scheduled course start dates. Please ensure materials are purchased in advance, to be available for the start date.
Note: Courses requiring a textbook will show "TR" in the Delivery field.
Click the "More Info" link beside the course's name to view the description of the course.
| Location: Online | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Delivery | Instructor | Section | Cost | Actions |
| Dec 01, 24 - Feb 28, 25 | S. Hinkson | 259549 | $685 | ||
| Location: Notre Dame Campus | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Class Days | Time | Delivery | Instructor | Section | Cost | Actions |
| Jan 07, 25 - Mar 11, 25 | Tu | 6:00PM - 10:00PM | A. Dolhy | 263436 | $409 | ||
| Location: Notre Dame Campus | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Class Days | Time | Delivery | Instructor | Section | Cost | Actions |
| Jan 09, 25 - Mar 13, 25 | Th | 6:00PM - 10:00PM | E. Pschulski | 263437 | $439 | ||
| Location: Notre Dame Campus | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Class Days | Time | Delivery | Instructor | Section | Cost | Actions |
| Jan 06, 25 - Mar 17, 25 | M | 6:00PM - 10:00PM | TBA | 263438 | $455 | ||
| Location: Notre Dame Campus | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Class Days | Time | Delivery | Instructor | Section | Cost | Actions |
| Jan 08, 25 - Apr 23, 25 | W | 6:00PM - 10:00PM | S. Khidir | 263435 | $605 | ||
| Location: Online | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Delivery | Instructor | Section | Cost | Actions |
| Jan 06, 25 - Apr 06, 25 | S. Hinkson | 264573 | $685 | ||
| Feb 01, 25 - Apr 30, 25 | S. Hinkson | 264574 | $685 | ||
| Mar 01, 25 - May 31, 25 | S. Hinkson | 264575 | $685 | ||
There are currently three options available to students to complete CO-OP/Practicum:
Practicum options will be arranged on a student-by-student basis. All students nearing the completion of their program are required to contact Frank Richards, the OHS Practicum Coordinator re: CO/OP/Practicum. Frank can be contacted via email: frichards@rrc.ca
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 Police Information Check
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.
Students have a maximum of four (4) years to complete this program.
Individuals who wish to obtain a professional designation such as with the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals, must meet their stated eligibility requirements.
You must complete your part-time 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.