The Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Systems (COHSES) program is a new learning initiative that focuses on a systems- and process-based approach to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) concerns and solutions. The COHSES program is part of the progression of becoming an established OHS practitioner or professional. It will focus on improving the ability to identify, prioritize and manage workplace hazards and risks, and provide students with necessary communication considerations to provide leadership guidance on safety, health and environment management issues in a variety of work environments.
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Entrance Requirements
- Interest or experience in occupational health and safety practices.
- Access to a computer and reliable internet service.
- A strong understanding of the English language and business writing.
- You can enrol at any time and once your program tuition has been received, you can begin your course the following month.
Online
Monthly intake options.
The entire COHSES certificate program is delivered fully online and consists of self-paced material. The program includes 13 mandatory courses which provide a total of 450 contact hours of education delivery. Students progress through the program in 8-week terms and will receive guidance and feedback from a Faculty Member. Students will also have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week access to a comprehensive online library which provides students access to texts, articles, publications and additional resources.
Prior Learning Assessment – through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program, you have an opportunity to receive acknowledged course completion for related previous learning.
- OHS 100 – Introduction to OHSE
- OHS 105 – Organizational Development & Behaviour
- OHS 110 – Leadership & Communication
- OHS 115 – Incident Investigation & Response
- OHS 120 – Safety Training: An Introduction to the Fundamental Principles
- OHS 125 – Safety Management Systems
- OHS 130 – Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment & Control
- OHS 135 – Law & Ethics
- OHS 140 – Industrial/Occupational Hygiene
- OHS 145 – Fire Management
- OHS 150 – Environmental Management
- OHS 155 – Fundamentals of Auditing
- OHS 1000 – Guided Practicum
Students have the flexibility to take the course in a full-time study over 11 months or in a part-time basis over 22 months.
What You Will Learn
The COHSES program is part of the progression of becoming an established OHS practitioner or professional. Graduates learn how to bridge the gap and effectively communicate their plans at both the worker level and the managerial and executive level. The curriculum is not limited to a jurisdiction’s legislative framework; rather, it is a far-reaching collection of systems approaches and best practices as identified by OHS professionals and referencing a wide range of jurisdictions and legislative backgrounds. Its focus is on understanding the balance between safety management system structure, safety leadership and culture, as well as the knowledge, skills and capabilities to address them.
The new course content has been mapped to various frameworks, blueprints and body of knowledge documents, using the International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organizations’ (INSHPO) Global Framework as its foundation. The curriculum is aligned with many external designation bodies such as the National Examination Board in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH – UK) and includes materials that were mapped to the blueprints from the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), as well as the Australian Institute of Safety and Health’s (AISH) body of knowledge documents.
The range of skills and knowledge provided in the online COHSES program will effectively equip today's OHS practitioners with the necessary and relevant competencies they require. Depending on a student's career pathway goals, this program provides the basis and educational requirements for various certification and designation pathways, including Canada's CRSP.
Career Opportunities
A career in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) can lead to a wide range of opportunities. OHS professionals are working as health and safety consultants and coordinators, ergonomics and safety specialists, quality assurance professionals, health and safety officers, safety inspectors, occupational hygienists, safety project officers and safety specialists. OHS professionals may be employed in a wide variety of settings including manufacturing, oil and gas, forestry, mining, construction, government, service and trade sectors.
Earning Potential
The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) conducts a survey of all Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (CRSPs) every two years. The most recent survey was conducted in 2021.
Survey respondents reported a wide range of salary levels. The most frequently reported salary was in the $90,000 range (16.4%). Across Canada, 58.4% per cent of respondents reported salaries of above $100,000. On average, salaries were higher in Western Canada compared to other regions.
Source: Report on the 2021 Salary Survey – Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals
Scholarship Eligible
Entrance Scholarships of $500 are available to full-time students.
More Information About Scholarships
Find Out More
To find out more about the Certificate Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Systems program, book an appointment with a student adviser today.
Toll-free: 1 (866) 296-2472
Kindersley: 306-463-6431
