Occupational Health and Safety Training
Learn the skills you need to become a certified Occupational Health and Safety professional. Study online and graduate in just 12 months. Internship included.
What is an Occupational Health and Safety Officer?
Occupational health and safety officers protect the well-being of people in the workplace. Their primary goal is to prevent work-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Health and safety officers are typically responsible for:
- Conducting health and safety inspections to ensure management and workers are following the law
- Identifying risks and safety hazards
- Delivering health and safety training programs
- Creating a health and safety plan
- Investigating accidents, complaints, and injuries
- Dealing with Worker’s Compensation Board and disability claims
- Developing fire evacuation plans and other emergency procedures
- Recommending fines, penalties, or closure for non-compliant organizations
- Creating strategies for continuous improvement of workplace health and safety
“The health and safety officer makes sure the company ‘walks the walk’ and ‘talks the talk’. Everyone within the organization is accountable to think and act safely, including management, supervisors, lead-hands and workers. Our Occupational Health and Safety training prepares students to be successful in this role.” (Andrew Pugachev, Instructor)
Herzing College Occupational Health and Safety Training
Our Occupational Health and Safety training prepares students for nationally-recognized certifications. This program is your first step toward a successful career in occupational health.
- 12-month diploma program (20 hours per week)
- Approved by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP)
- Graduates are eligible for the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) Certification
- Delivered completely online for maximum convenience
- Includes an 8-week internship
- Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify
- Enrol at any time
Why You Need Occupational Health and Safety Training Approved by the BCRSP
The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) is a not-for-profit organization that sets high standards for health and safety training and practice.
The BCRSP offers two important certifications that are respected across Canada, and required by many employers in this field.
1. Canadian Registered Safety Technician Certification (CRST)
2. Canadian Registered Safety Professional Certification (CRSP)
Only graduates of BCRSP-approved health and safety training are eligible for certification.
Herzing students qualify for CRST certification immediately after graduation. After 4 years of work experience, you can pursue the more advanced CRSP certification.
Meet the teacher and learn more about training: Occupational Health and Safety Training: Our Instructor Answers Your Questions
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 Safety and Health at Columbia Southern University (the degree requires 120 credits total)
- The Bachelor 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
The Government of Canada Job Bank predicts good demand and employment growth for health and safety professionals in Manitoba.
Both government and private industry are committed to reducing workplace accidents. This is creating more job opportunities for skilled health and safety officers.
Job Opportunities for Certified Occupational Health and Safety Professionals
Certified occupational health and safety professionals are employed by government and private companies. Successful graduates of our Occupational Health and Safety program can find job opportunities at:
- Factories
- Manufacturing plants
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Restaurants
- Public facilities
- Municipal water treatment systems
- Hotels
Typical occupational health and safety job titles include:
- Health and safety officer
- Health and safety inspector
- Health and safety coordinator
- Health and safety advisor
“The occupational health and safety industry is growing and constantly hiring in Winnipeg. There is demand everywhere, including organizations like Safe-work Manitoba, Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health, W.C.B., and C.O.R. Many of our graduates are getting hired straight out of their internships.” (Andrew Pugachev, Instructor)
Study Topics
Our Occupational Health and Safety training teaches the skills and knowledge required for CRST certification. Study topics include health and safety laws, safety inspections, risk analysis, worker health and wellness, and disability management.
Click to see a detailed description of courses.
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. The duration of the internship is eight weeks during which the student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 160 hours of work experience.
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
Overview
SAMPLE AVERAGE SALARY RANGE:
$56,300 to $72,900
Source: jobbank.gc.ca
(Health and safety advisor/director)
CAMPUS
Winnipeg
INDUSTRY
Business
PROGRAM LENGTH
12 Months (20 hours/week)
Includes 8 week internship
LEARNING MODALITIES
Online
EXPLORE CAREERS
TRY OUR CAREER EXPLORATION KIT
Our online kit takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
2020 Overall Graduate Employment Rate
86% of available Herzing College Winnipeg graduates were employed in a related field.
*statistics based on most recent available
Career Infographic
Not sure what to expect after graduating? Download our career infographic and discover more!
Program Partners
Your Next Steps
Ready to learn more about Occupational Health and Safety training? It’s easy to get started. Choose from the following options:
- Fill out the form to ask questions via email
- Chat live with an Admissions Advisor to get your questions answered now
- Click Apply Now to get your application started today!
Why Choose this Program?
Herzing’s Occupational Health and Safety program is approved by the BCRSP, and fully prepares students for CRST certification. Here’s why Herzing should be your top choice for health and safety training:
- Get to work faster with our accelerated 12-month Occupational Health and Safety diploma program
- Study online with our user-friendly online learning system
- Get personalized support from your instructor whenever you need it
- Stay engaged and motivated with regular online discussions
- Graduates are fully prepared to earn the CRST certification (which opens up better jobs and higher salaries)
- Get real work experience with an 8-week health and safety internship
- Get access to the Herzing Open Education Program (HOEP), which lets you take additional courses after you graduate, tuition-free!
- Exceptional Career Development team, who helps create your resume, prepare for interviews, and apply for health and safety jobs
