Find out what it takes to get your career off the ground.
Learn the skills you need to avoid workplace accidents and keep people safe on the job. Graduate in just 12 months and qualify for certification through the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP).
What’s Your Role as an Occupational Health and Safety Officer?
Occupational health and safety (OHS) officers aim to ensure the well-being of everyone in the workplace. Their main goal is to minimize accidents and injuries.
Their typical responsibilities include:
- Conducting inspections to make sure health and safety regulations are being followed
- Identifying risks and potential hazards
- Establishing health and safety procedures
- Delivering health and safety training programs
- Investigating complaints and accidents
- Following up on worker’s compensation claims
- Developing strategies to continuously improve workplace health and safety
Herzing College Occupational Health and Safety Training
Our Occupational Health and Safety training covers the skills needed for entry-level jobs in health and safety.
Students learn from experienced OHS professionals, gain real work experience, and prepare for national certifications.
- 12-month diploma program
- Approved by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP)
- Graduates are eligible for the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) certification
- Internship included
- Enrol at any time
- Financial assistance may be available for students who qualify
- Support with finding your first health and safety job after graduation
Qualify for Health and Safety Certification
Herzing’s Occupational Health and Safety program is approved by the BCRSP. That means our students are eligible to apply for national certification.
The BCRSP offers two levels of certification that are respected by employers across Canada:
1. Canadian Registered Safety Technician Certification (CRST)—Herzing graduates can apply for CRST certification immediately after finishing the program.
2. Canadian Registered Safety Professional Certification (CRSP)—Herzing graduates can apply for CRSP certification after gaining four years of OHS work experience.
Only graduates of BCRSP-approved health and safety training are eligible for certification.
Articulation Agreement With Columbia Southern University
Successful graduates of the Occupational Health and Safety program can take advantage of our articulation agreement with Columbia Southern University:
- Your Herzing OHS diploma counts as 45 credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health and Safety at Columbia Southern University (the degree requires 120 credits total)
- The bachelor’s program is approved by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals
- Graduates are qualified to pursue the Canadian Registered Safety Professional certification with the BCRSP (after completing the required work experience)
- Graduates can also apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner designation with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals
Career Outlook
Occupational health and safety professionals are in steady demand across Canada.
Successful graduates can find career opportunities in:
- Government offices and agencies
- Insurance companies
- Safety auditing firms
- Hospitals and other healthcare organizations
- Construction firms
- Factories and manufacturing plants
- Transportation companies
Common job titles include:
- Health and Safety Advisor
- Health and Safety Coordinator
- Health and Safety Officer
- OHS Administrator
Study Topics
This program teaches the knowledge and skills you need for CRST certification. In addition to studying health and safety legislation, you will learn how to:
- Conduct workplace safety inspections
- Recognize workplace safety hazards
- Develop a workplace safety plan
- Deliver safety training
- Improve overall worker health and wellness
- Monitor risk and create emergency response plans
- Manage worker’s compensation claims
This course is intended to teach students the basics of recognizing and addressing safety hazards in the workplace. Topics will include performing job function analyses, design issues, equipment safety, hazardous materials handling, WHMIS, tool safety, and working in the presence of robotics or autonomous equipment.
This course is intended to teach students the basics of performing a safety audit and analysis of the results. Topics include auditing principles, evaluation of management systems, the role of an auditor, internal vs. external audits, performing inspections, interviews and developing an action plan.
This course is intended to teach students the basics of fire prevention and protection as well as addressing other environmental hazards. Topics include emergency procedures, safety codes/standards, fire chemistry/behaviour, hazardous spill management, and fire control systems.
This course is intended to teach students the fundamentals of arranging workspaces to allow staff to work safely and efficiently within them. Students will learn about the dangers of repetitive stress injuries, improper posture, and how to assess workspaces in terms of ergonomic design.
This course is intended to teach students the basics of body functions and processes in the context of prevention of illness and injury. Topics include anatomy and physiology, toxicology, chemical hazards, physical hazards, and air quality
This course is intended to teach students the fundamentals of the promotion of wellness and overall health in the workplace. Topics include injury and disease prevention programs, disability management programs, and work factors that can impact worker well-being.
This course is intended to teach students the basics of the applicable safety legislation and legal requirements. Topics include the basic principles of law, occupational health and safety laws in Canada, environmental legislation, ethical theories, worker rights, and the role of the board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals.
This course is intended to teach students the fundamentals of management’s role in workplace health and safety. Topics include the integration of health and safety into organizational structure, quality management systems, conflict management, leadership styles, and strategic planning.
This course is intended to teach students the basics of risk management. Topics include risk assessment, the risk control process, monitoring and reassessment, emergency preparedness, incident command systems, and workplace harassment/violence prevention.
This course helps the new OHS professional develop the critical skills to effectively communicate with all stakeholders in an organization regarding health and safety requirements. Critical thinking, writing effective policy and training documents, as well as speaking persuasively will all be covered.
This course guides the student through the process of developing training materials for staff and other stakeholders. All phases of the development from planning, materials creation, delivery of training, and measuring training effectiveness will be included.
This course covers the role of the Worker’s Compensation Board as well as other legislation that addresses disabilities caused in or out of the workplace. The process of submitting a claim, the role of OHS professionals in applying for/managing the disability case, appropriate communications with specific agencies, and the applicable legislation will be covered.
This course helps students understand reporting requirements as well as which stakeholders need which reports. The legislation regarding records, preparing reports to stakeholders, recording workplace performance data, and facilitating/recording meeting proceedings will be covered.
This seminar provides an opportunity for the student to apply the techniques and processes for developing a career path and to learn lifetime career management tools and skills. Topics include career-planning, job searching, developing career search documents, refining interview skills, and preparing for a new position.
The internship component of the program is the practical application of a student’s knowledge and skills in a business environment. The company shall provide work that is directly related to the student’s program of study.
Instructors
Hammad Muzaffar
Instructor, Occupational Health and Safety
Eric Obeng
Instructor, Occupational Health and Safety
Admission Requirements
What you need to get started.
- Minimum of a Canadian high school grade 12 or equivalent, or a mature student
- Pass an entrance test administered by Herzing College
- Be interviewed in detail regarding interest in the field
- Note: admission to some programs may include additional requirements
Not all programs and learning formats available at all campus locations.
An Occupational Health and Safety Officer program is registered at and delivered by Herzing College Toronto. Please click for information on program tuition and fees
An Occupational Health and Safety Officer program is registered at and delivered by Herzing College Ottawa.
An Occupational Health and Safety program is registered at and delivered by Herzing College Winnipeg.