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Human Services & Behavioral Health

Occupational Safety and Health Course Descriptions

OSH 100: Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health

Credits: 5.0

Introduces concepts of occupational safety and health, including regulatory agencies, financial and human impact of occupational injuries and illnesses, and workers' compensation. Covers basic safety terminology and how to access safety information and resources.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify the various fields of safety and risk management.
  2. Identify and describe the organization of regulatory agencies that deal with issues of occupational safety and health, environmental health, and risk management.
  3. Define and understand basic terminology used in the field of occupational safety and health and apply it appropriately.
  4. Describe and demonstrate how to access safety information and resources.
  5. Describe the history and evolution of occupational safety and health.
  6. Evaluate the financial and human impact of occupational injuries and illnesses.
  7. Develop a basic understanding of workers compensation plans.

OSH 110: Safety Management

Credits: 5.0

Introduce the concepts and measurements of reactive vs. proactive safety practices. Learn major hazards in workplace; how to collect, evaluate, and respond to safety and health trend data; develop site-specific programs, policies, and procedures; and basic concepts of emergency preparedness. S/U grade option

Course Level Objectives

  1. Collect and evaluate data to identify safety and health trends.
  2. Identify major on-the-job hazards for workers.
  3. Respond to data with an appropriate plan.
  4. Identify and apply the basic concepts of emergency preparedness.
  5. Develop site-specific programs, policies, and procedures.
  6. Identify and describe the concepts and measurements of proactive versus reactive safety.

OSH 140: Regulatory Environment

Credits: 3.0

An introduction to various regulatory agencies and regulations including OSHA, WISHA, EPA, DOT, and MSHA. Students will review the history and political evolution of occupational regulations; examine how violations are penalized, and how regulatory agencies perform various inspections. S/U grade option.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify the major regulatory policy agencies, including their scope and jurisdiction (e.g. OSHA, EPA, DOT, MSHA, L&I).
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the rule making process.
  3. Describe the compliance inspection process.
  4. Research and identify sources of compliance assistance.
  5. Identify and apply regulations that affect a work environment.

OSH 150: Workers' Compensation and Risk Management

Credits: 3.0

Overview of risk manager role and current risk analysis methods. Review of the history and evolution of the workers compensation system. Introduction to ADA, FMLA, and the Washington State Disability Act. Covers business insurance and the claims process, including transfer/assumption/assessment of risks and lines of insurance. S/U grade option.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Explain the reasons and roles for managing risk in the workplace.
  2. Identify and analyze various risk analysis methods.
  3. Describe the process of handling risk, including the assumption of risk and transfer of risk.
  4. Analyze the history and evolution of risk management and workers' compensation laws in the United States and internationally (including ADA, FMLA, etc.)
  5. Manage a workers compensation claim from opening to closing of a claim with empathy for all stakeholders involved.
  6. Adopt an ethical approach to mitigating risks and hazards in the workplace.

OSH 155: Special Topics in Occupational Safety and Health

Credits: 1.0 - 5.0

Classes, workshops or seminars of current interest in occupational safety and health.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Discuss a specific topic of current interest in occupational safety and health.
  2. Relate the special topic to other course work and best practices in occupational safety and health.

OSH 160: Incident Investigation

Credits: 3.0

Covers methods and documentation required for incident investigation. Overview of supervisor role in incident investigation, methods of review, action, and follow up to prevent recurrence. Includes overview of record-keeping system. S/U grade option.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Analyze proper methods, protocol, and documentation for an incident investigation.
  2. Conduct a complete investigation of a workplace incident.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the documentation and record-keeping system for reporting injuries and illnesses.
  4. Describe the methods of review, action, and follow-up by the employee(s), the supervisor, the safety committee, and management.

OSH 170: Safety Training Techniques

Credits: 3.0

An overview of the process and practices used to develop, deliver, evaluate, and manage effective health and safety training for a variety of audiences. Covers training needs analysis, learning objectives, training delivery methods, training evaluation, training documentation, and recordkeeping. S/U grade option.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe how a training program fits into an overall health and safety program for a company.
  2. Describe and design how a training needs assessment could be conducted for different types of audiences and work environments.
  3. Develop and write measurable learning objectives and an evaluation tool for a safety training module.
  4. Analyze and explain the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing different training delivery methods for different types of audiences and work environments.
  5. Describe the importance of collecting training documentation and maintain training records for compliance purposes.
  6. Develop and present a safety training module.

OSH 190: Industrial Security

Credits: 3.0

Overview of all-hazards approach to industrial security. Site-specific vulnerability assessment, development of Emergency Action Plan, loss prevention, industrial security, history of terrorism/terrorist threats, workplace violence and National Incident Management System (NIMS). S/U grade option.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe the history and evolution of terrorism (historical perspective) including specific hazardous threats: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive/energetic (CBRNE).
  2. Apply the best practices of Industrial Security including: a. equipment use; b. methods; c. control of facility and grounds; d. internal security threats (i.e., disgruntled employees).
  3. Identify the potential for workplace violence, analyze its causes and impact, and suggest preventative procedures and safeguards.
  4. Explain site-specific vulnerability assessment processes.
  5. Recognize how the NIMS applies to industrial security and emergency response.
  6. Develop and implement site specific health and safety plans that include emergency response elements.

OSH 220: Industrial Hygiene

Credits: 5.0

Apply the basic concepts of industrial hygiene at the technician level. Understand toxicology in an occupational setting. Recognize and evaluate health hazards and develop controls to protect worker health in workplace scenarios. Evaluate health hazards in the workplace with OSHA exposure limits. Complete a case study report where industrial hygiene practices are applied to a real-world situation. Note: Recommend completion of MATH 87. S/U grade option.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Apply the basic concepts of industrial hygiene at the technician level to workplace scenarios.
  2. Understand the toxicology of substances in an occupational setting and the occurrence of occupational diseases.
  3. Learn methods to identify and evaluate exposure to health hazards, and then determine the appropriate sampling and monitoring techniques.
  4. Develop work practices and controls to protect worker's health.
  5. Apply OSHA exposure limits and workplace standards to health hazards.
  6. Apply industrial hygiene practices to a specific workplace setting and complete a case study report.

OSH 230: Ergonomics

Credits: 3.0

An overview of the history and evolution of ergonomics in the workplace. Introduction to ergonomic risk factors and the procedures used to conduct an ergonomic evaluation. Identification of practical and engineering solutions to correct work related ergonomic problems. S/U grade option.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe how the history and evolution of ergonomics in the workplace has impacted health and safety in the workplace.
  2. Demonstrate the understanding and application of basic ergonomic terminology.
  3. Recognize and analyze ergonomic risk factors.
  4. Identify corrective solutions to address ergonomic risk factors.

OSH 240: Handling Hazardous Materials

Credits: 4.0

An overview of the regulations related to OSHA 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) guidelines. Covers the principles of hazard recognition and control, Hazard Communication (HAZCOM), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), decontamination, toxicology, site characterization, and incident command. An optional OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER card issued upon completion of an additional 8-hour in-person hands-on session. S/U grade option.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Explain the purpose and scope of the OSHA regulation (29CFR1910.120) covering hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER).
  2. Recognize and identify methods for controlling a variety of hazards including chemical, biological, radiological, and physical hazards.
  3. Determine the appropriate level and type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required.
  4. Demonstrate a basic understanding of toxicology and the relationship of chemical exposure on human health.
  5. Develop a comprehensive site safety plan based on the characteristics of a hazardous incident or site.
  6. Describe how to execute an emergency response plan.

OSH 255: Special Topics in Occupational Safety and Health

Credits: 1.0 - 5.0

Classes, workshops or seminars of current interest in occupational safety and health.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Discuss a specific topic of current interest in occupational safety and health.
  2. Relate the special topic to other course work and best practices in occupational safety and health.
  3. Apply the content of the course into professional practice.

OSH 291: OSH Internship/Capstone

Credits: 12.0

Workplace experience to observe, practice and demonstrate the skills relevant to performing the job(s) of a health and safety professional. Permission code required. S/U grade only. Prerequisite: Student must have completed 80% of OSH courses. Prerequisite(s): Student must have completed 80% of OSH courses.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Obtain workplace health and safety work experience through volunteering, job shadowing, interning with an organization doing health and safety related work. 
  2. Working with site supervisor develop and submit internship learning objectives that outline what the student will be evaluated on as part of their internship experience.
  3. Using internship forms, track and document hours completed and submit all required internship forms and documentation
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