Handbook : Unit set informationEdith Cowan University

Unit Set Information

Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Major

Effective from 01-JAN-2023 : Code MAAAKH

Students will develop skills in the quantification and assessment of both occupational and environmental health and safety risks which will prepare graduates for employment as either environmental health officers or occupational health and safety professionals.

Disclaimer

This unit set 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. In particular please check the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

This Major can be studied in the following courses:

• Bachelor of Health Science

Mode of Delivery

On Campus at South West (Bunbury), Joondalup
Online

Unit Set Coordinator

Dr Edmore MASAKA

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

The majority of units in this major can be studied either on-campus or online, with some units only available for online enrolment. Compulsory attendance requirements HST2258: All students will be required to participate in compulsory on-campus laboratory practicals. HST2116: Students will be required to complete 200 hours of industry placement with a local or state government environmental health service. Refer to unit details for specific delivery information for each unit.

Practicum Requirement

All students will complete HST2116 Environmental Health Professional Practice unit which includes 200 hours of industry placement with a local or state government environmental health service. Work Integrated Learning is a core requirement of course accreditation and has been designed to cover specified competencies, and must be certified by a qualified Environmental Health practitioner acting as the placement supervisor. Specified competencies are wide ranging, but include environmental health inspections and complaint investigation under relevant legislation, and a range of scientific sampling practices.

Duty of care

A placement host may have vaccination and other requirements, including vaccination against COVID-19 unless you have a medical exemption. Please consider this requirement before enrolling in this Course, and speak with the Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete placement units if you are unable to meet the placement requirements, which may impact your ability to complete this course. All students have to complete a risk assessment and undergo an induction.

Attendance requirements

Students will attend a mix of metropolitan and regional placements where possible. Students negotiate their placement with the host organisation to fit in with their availability, usually 1 day per week in a Metro location and a block in mid semester breaks in country placements.

Enrolment process

All students will enrol into Environmental Health Professional Practice unit, HST2116 and the unit coordinator assists students to obtain placements by negotiating placements in local and state government health departments.

Professional practice rules

The students are issued a WIL handbook that contains an induction and they are expected to conform to the placement providers’ internal induction and work related policies.

Implications of failing

Students who fail the practicum will be unable to graduate with this major.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical occupational health and Safety (OHS), workplace health and safety (WHS) and environmental health situations.
2. Think critically to analyse, interpret and conceptualise complex OHS, WHS and environmental health problems.
3. Use digital technologies and literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.
4. Communicate disciplinary knowledge and values in professional and public contexts.
5. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate OHS, WHS and environmental health specific solutions/responses.
6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence.
7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values.
8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional practice.

Professional recognition

Membership

Students can apply for membership with Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Eligible enrolled students can access IOSH Student Membership for the duration of their studies and, on successful completion, they will meet the academic requirements for Graduate membership. As IOSH is the only organisation in the world that offers Chartered Membership to health and safety practitioners, this can help members achieve the highest professional standards and gain international recognition.

Related Careers

Environmental Health Officers, Occupational Health and Safety, Health Officer, Health Inspector, Workplace Health and Safety, Occupational Safety and Health

Employment Opportunities

Environmental Health Officers, Occupational Health and Safety professionals.

Major Structure

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