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  2. Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety [HST1152]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety

  • Unit Code

    HST1152

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

All employees are potentially exposed to occupational health and safety risks in the workplace. In this unit, students will be introduced to a range of occupational health and safety (OHS) issues and how they can mitigated. Students are encouraged to develop the skills and knowledge needed to make workplaces safer and healthier. Occupational health and safety will be investigated from a national and international perspective by exploring safety and health in a variety of global industries.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

The off campus version of this unit is designed to be delivered fully online with all resources and materials accessed through the Blackboard System.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded HST1150

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Define the major types of hazards in workplaces.
  2. Describe the differences between the concepts of hazard and risk.
  3. Describe the history of occupational safety and health as a professional discipline.
  4. Describe the legal framework for occupational health and safety in Australia or a country of the student's choice.
  5. Outline legislation that applies to workers compensation in Australia from an employee viewpoint.
  6. Review and utilise a range of occupational health and safety resources for managing risk from identified workplace hazards.
  7. Undertake an inspection of a workplace to identify major OHS risks.

Unit Content

  1. Accident causation theories, accident investigation and reporting.
  2. Concepts of hazard and risk.
  3. Conducting and utilising occupational health and safety research.
  4. Health hazards chemical, biological, noise, thermal light and radiation, and psychological hazards.
  5. Hierarchy of controls.
  6. Legal frameworks for occupational health and safety.
  7. Risk management standards, frameworks, applications and process.
  8. Safety hazards gravitational, slips, trips and falls, mobile plant, electrical hazards, and biomechanical hazards.
  9. The development of occupational health and safety internationally and in Australia.
  10. Working with occupational health and safety-related professions.
  11. Workplace inspections and methods of reporting.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, directed reading and review questions, participation in on-line and classroom activities.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationLegal obligations in respect to workplace hazards 30%
ReportOccupational health and safety inspection of workplace40%
TestOn-line test30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationLegal obligations in respect to workplace hazards 30%
ReportOccupational health and safety inspection of workplace40%
TestOn-line test30%

Text References

  • ^ Archer, R., Borthwick, K., Travers, M ., & Ruschena, L. (2012). WHS: A management guide (3rd ed). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2012). The cost of work-related injury and illness for Australian employers, workers and the community 2008-2009. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2012). Managing risks to health and safety at the workplace fact sheet. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Chambers, G. (2011). Concise Guide to Workplace Safety and Health: What You Need to Know, When You Need It. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
  • Safe Work Australia. (2012). Guide to the Model Work Health and Safety act. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Flaus, J.M. (2013). Risk analysis. London, England: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Rausand, M. (2011). Risk assessment: Theory, methods and applications. Chiceste, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2011). Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2011). Guide to Model Work Health and Safety regulations. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2012). Codes of practice and guidance material information sheet. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2013). Incident notification fact sheet. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Dunn, C.E. (2012). Planning work health and safety: An introduction to best practice. North Ryde, Australia: CCH Australia.

Journal References

  • Professional Safety.
  • Safety and Health at Work.
  • Journal of Safety Research.
  • Journal of Health and Safety Research and Practice.
  • Journal of Health, safety and Environment.

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

HST1152|2|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety

  • Unit Code

    HST1152

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

All employees are potentially exposed to occupational health and safety risks in the workplace. In this unit, students will be introduced to a range of occupational health and safety (OHS) issues and how they can mitigated. Students are encouraged to develop the skills and knowledge needed to make workplaces safer and healthier. Occupational health and safety will be investigated from a national and international perspective by exploring safety and health in a variety of global industries.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

The off campus version of this unit is designed to be delivered fully online with all resources and materials accessed through the Blackboard System.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded HST1150

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Define the major types of hazards in workplaces.
  2. Describe the differences between the concepts of hazard and risk.
  3. Describe the history of occupational safety and health as a professional discipline.
  4. Describe the legal framework for occupational health and safety in Australia or a country of the student's choice.
  5. Outline legislation that applies to workers compensation in Australia from an employee viewpoint.
  6. Review and utilise a range of occupational health and safety resources for managing risk from identified workplace hazards.
  7. Undertake an inspection of a workplace to identify major OHS risks.

Unit Content

  1. Accident causation theories, accident investigation and reporting.
  2. Concepts of hazard and risk.
  3. Conducting and utilising occupational health and safety research.
  4. Health hazards chemical, biological, noise, thermal light and radiation, and psychological hazards.
  5. Hierarchy of controls.
  6. Legal frameworks for occupational health and safety.
  7. Risk management standards, frameworks, applications and process.
  8. Safety hazards gravitational, slips, trips and falls, mobile plant, electrical hazards, and biomechanical hazards.
  9. The development of occupational health and safety internationally and in Australia.
  10. Working with occupational health and safety-related professions.
  11. Workplace inspections and methods of reporting.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, directed reading and review questions, participation in on-line and classroom activities.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationLegal obligations in respect to workplace hazards 30%
ReportOccupational health and safety inspection of workplace40%
TestOn-line test30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationLegal obligations in respect to workplace hazards 30%
ReportOccupational health and safety inspection of workplace40%
TestOn-line test30%

Text References

  • ^ Archer, R., Borthwick, K., Travers, M ., & Ruschena, L. (2012). WHS: A management guide (3rd ed). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2012). The cost of work-related injury and illness for Australian employers, workers and the community 2008-2009. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2012). Managing risks to health and safety at the workplace fact sheet. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Chambers, G. (2011). Concise Guide to Workplace Safety and Health: What You Need to Know, When You Need It. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
  • Safe Work Australia. (2012). Guide to the Model Work Health and Safety act. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Flaus, J.M. (2013). Risk analysis. London, England: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Rausand, M. (2011). Risk assessment: Theory, methods and applications. Chiceste, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2011). Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2011). Guide to Model Work Health and Safety regulations. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2012). Codes of practice and guidance material information sheet. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Safe Work Australia. (2013). Incident notification fact sheet. Canberra, Australia: Safe Work Australia.
  • Dunn, C.E. (2012). Planning work health and safety: An introduction to best practice. North Ryde, Australia: CCH Australia.

Journal References

  • Professional Safety.
  • Safety and Health at Work.
  • Journal of Safety Research.
  • Journal of Health and Safety Research and Practice.
  • Journal of Health, safety and Environment.

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

HST1152|2|2