Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner (Applied Certificate)

Location(s): Saskatoon Distance Learning Option

Occupational health and safety (OH&S) practitioner is an exciting career pathway, with demand for qualified practitioners growing in every sector of the economy. Every employer operating in Saskatchewan must meet the Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. Failure to do so can result in fines.

Graduates of SIAST’s Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner programs have the specialized knowledge necessary to provide advice to employers and make recommendations on critical OH&S issues.

Entry level of OH&S education
SIAST’s Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner applied certificate is the entry level of OH&S education. It is ideally suited to individuals who:

want to enter a dynamic and exciting career path

are members of OH&S committees and want to improve their knowledge

are supervisors who want to improve their OH&S knowledge

have three or more years’ experience working in OH&S and want to get one year of post-secondary education to qualify to write the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) exam (currently this still applies in 2011 but in less than a year students may be required to complete the certificate to meet the one-year post-secondary education required to write the CRSP exam)

The program offers a hands-on approach to learning and a well-rounded course of study, resulting in relevant knowledge and skills including:

communication strategies

occupational health and safety programming

principles and practices of adult learning

risk analysis and hazard control

safety systems

practicum (36 hours)

Note: SIAST’s more advanced Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner Certificate program offers more advanced OH&S education.

Flexible Learning Options
The Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner applied certificate program is offered both full-time and part-time. The full-time program is 13 weeks, including a one-week practicum, and is offered at SIAST Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon. The part-time program is offered online and can be completed within two or three years.

Did you know?
SIAST’s Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner programs are the only OH&S education programs in Saskatchewan, and the only OH&S training in Canada that offers Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

How does it fit?
If you are a self-directed individual with strong communication and change management skills, and enjoy working as part of a team with team-building skills, OH&S could be a good career fit. OH&S practitioners also need strong organizational capabilities, keen observational skills, a knack for multi-tasking and the ability to routinely handle large volumes of information.

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Length: 13 weeks (on-campus); 1.5 to 3 years (online)

The program must be completed within 5 years. Students must take at least one course per academic year to be considered ongoing in the program. The program also includes a 36-hour practicum.

Career Opportunities

OH&S is a career path with remarkable possibilities. As a SIAST Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner applied certificate program graduate, you will have the OH&S skills you need for an entry level position in many industries including federal, provincial and municipal governments; mining and milling companies; oil and gas companies; health care facilities; educational institutions; and trades, construction and safety associations.

Occupational health and safety practitioners are frequently part of teams working on environmental and wellness initiatives and disability management, and can explore career opportunities with regulatory agencies and consulting companies in Saskatchewan, across Canada and around the world.

For more information about career opportunities related to this program, contact Student Employment Services at the campus nearest you.

Program Details

Start Date(s): September and/or January (full-time on-campus); September, January and/or March (online and print)

Delivery is subject to needs assessment. For more information, contact the program at ohspractitioner@siast.sk.ca.

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Admission Requirements

Grade 12

English Language Requirement

Note

You must apply to and be accepted into the Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner applied certificate program before you can register for a course. We highly recommend that you apply to the program at least two months prior to the start date of any course you wish to register in, to allow enough time for processing and acceptance before the course begins.

Applicants with one year post-secondary education from a recognized educational institution and applicants with journeyperson certification in any trade will be considered to have met the admission requirements.

Current Standard First Aid, CPR HeartSaver "A" AED, WHMIS and Transportation of Dangerous Goods certificates are required prior to starting your practicum.

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through a special admission assessment. Interested individuals should still apply. Applicants are automatically considered for special admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met. Refer to the ACCUPLACER^© cut scores and Post Secondary Success Requirements for this program below, and review additional details concerning Special Admission.

ACCUPLACER ^©

ACCUPLACER^© Cut Scores
for this program

80	Arithmetic
80	Reading
75	Sentence

Post-Secondary Success

Post-Secondary Success Requirements
for this program

One year post-secondary studies

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of SIAST programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

Tuition and Fees

For complete details on tuition and fees for this program, click here to access the SIAST campus Tuition and Fee Schedules.

Learning Method(s)

SIAST offers a variety of learning methods for course delivery. The following learning methods are available for some of the courses in this program.

Classroom

Clinical/Practicum

Online

Please refer to the course descriptions for course specific learning methods.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Availability

SIAST recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

Frequently asked questions regarding PLAR for this program are answered in the Fact Sheet. A detailed Candidate Guide, which includes a self-audit for all PLAR-ready courses, has been developed for this program. This information guides a candidate through all steps in the PLAR process.

Transfer Credit

Many SIAST students benefit from transferring credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. Find out more about transfer credit options.

Some transfer credit options for this program include:

selected course credits toward various programs at the University of Alberta and Ryerson University

the Board of Certified Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) recognizes our applied certificate as equivalent to one year post-secondary education, which satisfies one of their examination eligibility criteria

Courses
expand/contract all

EDUC 182 Principles and Practices of Adult Learning

Using the principles of adult learning, your studies will focus on the characteristics of adult learners and approaches to use while educating them in occupational health and safety concepts. Developing a professional portfolio will support you in creating a personal continuing education plan for occupational health and safety.

3.0 Credit Units
52.0 Lecture hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Equivalent Course(s): NEPS 218

Prerequisites:
HLTH 180 Minimum Grade of 60

HLTH 180 Risk Analysis and Hazard Control

Organizational culture and behaviour directly impact the effectiveness of an occupational health and safety system. Your studies will focus on corporate culture, organization behaviour, risk analysis and hazard identification. Critical thinking skills, problem solving abilities, monitoring strategies and control recommendations will be emphasized.

3.0 Credit Units
52.0 Lecture hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Prerequisites:
PCOM 180 Minimum Grade of 60 and SFTY 191 Minimum Grade of 60

HLTH 181 Occupational Health and Safety Programming

You will learn to develop an organizational health and safety program and manual. Opportunity to practice evaluating, revising and implementing guidelines and programs will enhance your ability to determine prevention strategies and corrective action plans.

3.0 Credit Units
52.0 Lecture hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Prerequisites:
HLTH 180 Minimum Grade of 60

PCOM 180 Communication Strategies

You will examine interpersonal communication theory and its application in the workplace including conflict resolution, teamwork and positive political skills. You will develop research and report-writing skills as well as practice conducting a meeting and resolving conflict.

3.0 Credit Units
48.0 Lecture hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Equivalent Course(s): COMM 107 COMM 289 NEPS 114

PRAC 189 Practicum

You will preceptor with an occupational health and safety professional. This experience will allow you to apply the theory and skills you learned in previous courses in a work environment.

2.0 Credit Units
36.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Prior Learning, Clinical/Practicum-Individual

Prerequisites:
EDUC 182 Minimum Grade of 60 and HLTH 181 Minimum Grade of 60

SFTY 191 Safety Systems

Your studies will focus on an overview of occupational health and safety systems. You will examine societal and organizational aspects, core principles, essential elements and a variety of legislation.

3.0 Credit Units
52.0 Lecture hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Prior Learning, Online/Blackboard

Prerequisites:
PCOM 180 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent)

Courses must be taken in the following order: PCOM 180, SFTY 191, HLTH 180, EDUC 182, HLTH 181, PRAC 189. Once accepted to the program, we recommend that you register in the first course at least two weeks prior to the start date.

More Information

Phone 1-866-goSIAST