Foundations of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

Health, Safety and Environment October 25, 2025
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Introduction

This foundational course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of Occupational Health and Safety. Participants will explore the fundamental concepts that form the basis of effective workplace safety programs. The course covers legal requirements, risk management strategies, and the development of safety-conscious work environments. Through practical examples and case studies, learners will understand how to identify, assess, and control workplace hazards. This essential training serves as the cornerstone for building a robust safety culture within any organization.

Objectives

This course aims to equip participants with essential OHS knowledge and skills:

  • Understand fundamental OHS principles and terminology
  • Identify common workplace hazards and risks
  • Learn legal requirements and compliance standards
  • Develop risk assessment and management strategies
  • Implement effective hazard control measures
  • Understand roles and responsibilities in OHS management
  • Learn incident prevention techniques
  • Develop emergency response planning skills
  • Promote safety culture and awareness

Target Audience

  • New safety officers and coordinators
  • Team leaders and supervisors
  • HR professionals
  • Facility managers
  • Small business owners
  • Operations managers
  • Maintenance personnel
  • Health and safety committee members

Methodology

The course employs interactive lectures combined with real-world scenarios from various industries. Participants will engage in group activities analyzing workplace case studies and conduct hands-on hazard identification exercises. Individual exercises include developing risk assessment plans, while mini-case studies focus on actual workplace incidents. Syndicate discussions encourage knowledge sharing about safety challenges, and practical workshops reinforce the application of control measures in different work environments.

Personal Impact

  • Enhanced ability to identify and mitigate workplace hazards
  • Improved understanding of legal safety requirements
  • Development of risk assessment and management skills
  • Increased confidence in safety leadership roles
  • Better communication of safety information
  • Stronger problem-solving capabilities in safety contexts

Organizational Impact

  • Reduced workplace incidents and injuries
  • Improved regulatory compliance
  • Enhanced safety culture and employee engagement
  • Lower workers compensation costs
  • Increased productivity through safer work practices
  • Better reputation and stakeholder confidence

Course Outline

Unit 1: Introduction to OHS Principles

Section 1.1: Fundamental Concepts
  • Definition and importance of OHS
  • Historical development of workplace safety
  • Key terminology and concepts
  • Benefits of effective OHS management
  • Global OHS perspectives
Section 1.2: Legal Framework
  • Overview of OHS legislation
  • Employer and employee responsibilities
  • Regulatory compliance requirements
  • Workplace safety standards

Unit 2: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Section 2.1: Hazard Recognition
  • Types of workplace hazards
  • Physical, chemical, and biological hazards
  • Ergonomic and psychological hazards
  • Hazard identification techniques
  • Workplace inspection methods
Section 2.2: Risk Evaluation
  • Risk assessment methodologies
  • Risk matrix and prioritization
  • Documentation and recording
  • Risk control hierarchy

Unit 3: Safety Management Systems

Section 3.1: OHS Program Development
  • Elements of safety management systems
  • Policy development and implementation
  • Safety planning and objectives
  • Performance measurement
  • Continuous improvement processes

Unit 4: Workplace Controls and Protective Measures

Section 4.1: Control Strategies
  • Engineering controls
  • Administrative controls
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Hierarchy of controls application
  • Maintenance of control measures

Unit 5: Emergency Preparedness

Section 5.1: Response Planning
  • Emergency response procedures
  • Evacuation planning
  • First aid and medical response
  • Crisis communication
  • Emergency equipment and resources

Unit 6: Safety Culture and Communication

Section 6.1: Building Safety Culture
  • Elements of positive safety culture
  • Employee engagement strategies
  • Safety communication techniques
  • Training and competency development
  • Behavior-based safety approaches

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