Concerned about the safety of people at work and the related workplace hazards? This College Certificate program provides students with knowledge skills and training in the theories and practices of occupational safety and health. In addition to the fundamentals, students learn the management skills required to help them gain the ability to oversee workplace safety programs.

Graduates may find employment in a wide range of jobs, within provincial and federal enforcement, or the private sector, ensuring that legislative obligations in occupational safety and environmental protection are met.

Workplaces with more than five employees in Ontario are legally required to plan an OHS policy and put it into practise. Personnel with in-depth, applied knowledge of OHS are required across all industries. OHS roles are found in public and private workplace settings, including:

• hospitals and other healthcare providers
• heavy industry such as mining and forestry
• universities and other educational institutions
• airports
• local government and other public sector organizations
• construction
• transportation agencies and providers
• environmental protection
• emergency management
• occupational hygiene

To qualify for this certificate, you must complete the program within two years.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Possess strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Have the ability to deal with sensitive issues with tact.
• Can be assertive when required.
• Have a good understanding of industrial processes, human resources, environmental studies, or similar fields.
• Are interested in understanding how law is written and applied.

Careers

In Ontario, the Ministry of Labour sets, communicates and enforces workplace standards regarding worker protection. Additionally, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change protects and improves the quality of the environment to keep it healthy and protect human health and safety. Private industry and municipal governments also employ compliance specialists. Graduates may find employment as health and safety assistants, OHS administrators, OHS coordinators, health and safety officers, health and wellness advisors, environmental officers, return to work specialists, and human resource generalists.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Recognize, describe, evaluate and control occupational health hazards in the workplace.
2. Develop, deliver and evaluate workplace safety and health programs.
3. Apply management strategies to examine and evaluate environmental issues and policies.
4. Identify the impact of social, global, technological, environmental changes and trends in the safety and health industry.
5. Analyze and manage processes related to occupational safety and health and legislation, Canadian federal and Ontario provincial legislation, National Fire Code and international standards.

Application Information

Read this before applying:

If you would like to take courses individually or start the program part time, you are not required to apply to the program. You can register for up to three courses per term by clicking on the course title and selecting “Register Online”.

Note: OHS4010 Health and Safety Program Management is equivalent to MGT2396 Occupational Health and Safety

Program Resources

International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for International fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.

Students must achieve a passing grade of 60% in each course to be successful in the program.

Note: Students may take MGT2396 instead of OHS4010.

PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.

AC ONLINE ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Students' on the left-hand toolbar.

PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).

Future Students

For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.

Current Students

For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.