Introduction

The Specialist Diploma in Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) program is designed for professionals looking to deepen their knowledge and expertise in ensuring a safe and healthy working environment. This course provides in-depth training on best practices in workplace safety, risk management, legal frameworks, safety culture, and advanced techniques to manage and mitigate occupational hazards. The course is aimed at preparing participants for leadership roles in workplace safety and health, helping them drive safety initiatives, foster positive safety cultures, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The program emphasizes a practical approach, integrating real-world case studies, interactive sessions, and tools to implement safety measures effectively across various industries. It also equips professionals with the necessary skills to identify workplace hazards, evaluate risks, and implement effective controls, ensuring workers’ health and well-being.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand and apply the principles of workplace safety and health management.
2. Identify and assess workplace health and safety hazards, including physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial risks.
3. Develop and implement effective safety programs to reduce accidents, injuries, and illnesses.
4. Understand legal and regulatory frameworks governing workplace safety, including local and international standards (e.g., OSHA, ISO 45001).
5. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and apply appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
6. Promote a positive safety culture and engage employees in safety awareness initiatives.
7. Utilize modern safety technologies and tools for monitoring, reporting, and managing workplace safety.
8. Lead and participate in emergency response planning, and ensure preparedness for workplace emergencies.
9. Apply occupational health concepts to support overall well-being, including ergonomics and stress management.
10. Assess the effectiveness of safety programs and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Safety Managers and HSE Officers looking to enhance their expertise in workplace safety and health management.
• Human Resources and Employee Well-being Managers responsible for creating safe working conditions and managing employee health.
• Operations Managers and Supervisors involved in managing workplace safety in high-risk industries.
• Safety Consultants who provide advisory services on health and safety practices.
• Regulatory and Compliance Officers tasked with monitoring workplace safety adherence.
• Facility Managers in charge of implementing safety measures in buildings and production environments.
• Professionals in Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, and Logistics industries.
• Academic professionals and researchers interested in advancing workplace safety practices.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Workplace Safety and Health

• Session 1: Fundamentals of Workplace Safety and Health

  • Definition of workplace safety and its significance in occupational health.
  • The pillars of workplace safety: risk management, hazard control, legal compliance, and employee engagement.
  • The role of safety professionals in fostering a safety culture.
  • Overview of common workplace hazards (e.g., physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic).
  • Case Study: Analyzing major workplace accidents and their impact on workers, employers, and communities.

• Session 2: Occupational Safety Regulations and Legal Frameworks

  • Legal requirements for workplace safety: OSHA, ISO 45001, and local regulations.
  • Understanding compliance obligations and the consequences of non-compliance.
  • International safety standards and how they align with local laws.
  • Licensing and certification requirements for safety professionals.
  • Workshop: Reviewing legal documentation and preparing compliance checklists.

• Session 3: Safety Management Systems

  • Introduction to Safety Management Systems (SMS) and their role in improving workplace safety.
  • Overview of the ISO 45001 standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management.
  • Risk management principles in safety management systems.
  • Implementing a continuous improvement approach: PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act).
  • Case Study: Implementing an SMS in a manufacturing setting.

Day 2: Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification

• Session 1: Hazard Identification Techniques

  • How to conduct workplace hazard identification: physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic hazards.
  • Toolbox talk: Training workers to recognize hazards in their environment.
  • Using tools such as Job Safety Analysis (JSA), Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), and Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP).
  • Techniques for identifying emerging risks (e.g., psychosocial risks, workplace stress, and mental health).
  • Workshop: Conducting a hazard identification survey for a factory or office environment.

• Session 2: Risk Assessment and Control Measures

  • Risk assessment methodologies: qualitative vs. quantitative risk analysis.
  • Prioritizing risks and implementing hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.
  • Conducting a risk assessment for chemical exposure and physical hazards.
  • Implementing risk controls and evaluating their effectiveness.
  • Group Activity: Performing a workplace risk assessment for a specific industry (e.g., construction).

• Session 3: Emergency Preparedness and Response

  • The role of emergency response plans in workplace safety.
  • Key components of an effective emergency response plan: evacuation, first aid, fire safety, and disaster recovery.
  • Creating a business continuity plan for safety-critical incidents.
  • Training employees in first aid, fire safety, and evacuation procedures.
  • Simulation: Conducting an emergency evacuation drill in a workplace scenario.

Day 3: Promoting a Positive Safety Culture

• Session 1: Building a Safety-First Culture

  • Defining safety culture and its importance in reducing accidents and promoting well-being.
  • Developing and promoting safety awareness through training and communication.
  • The role of leadership in driving safety initiatives and engaging employees.
  • Employee involvement: fostering a safety-first mindset among workers.
  • Case Study: Analyzing companies with strong safety cultures and their success stories.

• Session 2: Employee Engagement and Motivation

  • Understanding the psychology of safety: why employees comply or ignore safety protocols.
  • Strategies for increasing employee engagement in safety programs: rewards, recognition, and safety incentives.
  • Using behavior-based safety (BBS) techniques to enhance safety practices.
  • Creating effective safety committees and worker safety teams.
  • Workshop: Developing an employee safety engagement strategy for a workplace.

• Session 3: Communication and Training for Safety

  • The role of effective communication in preventing workplace accidents.
  • Designing and delivering impactful safety training programs.
  • Using modern technologies (e.g., e-learning, virtual reality, gamification) for safety training.
  • Workplace safety signage: ensuring visibility and compliance.
  • Interactive Session: Creating a training module for new employees in workplace safety.

Day 4: Occupational Health and Well-being

• Session 1: Ergonomics and Workplace Design

  • The importance of ergonomics in reducing musculoskeletal disorders.
  • Designing ergonomic workstations to improve comfort and productivity.
  • Evaluating workspaces for ergonomic risk factors: seating, posture, lifting, and repetitive motion.
  • Implementing ergonomic solutions and tools.
  • Workshop: Conducting an ergonomic assessment of a workstation.

• Session 2: Managing Psychological and Social Risks

  • Addressing mental health and psychosocial risks in the workplace.
  • Preventing stress, burnout, and workplace harassment.
  • Designing programs for stress management and promoting mental well-being.
  • Workplace flexibility: supporting employee health through work-life balance initiatives.
  • Group Activity: Creating a mental health support program for the workplace.

• Session 3: Health Surveillance and Occupational Health Programs

  • The role of health surveillance in identifying and managing occupational health risks.
  • Implementing occupational health programs: pre-employment medicals, periodic health checks, and fitness for work assessments.
  • Managing exposure to hazardous substances (e.g., noise, chemicals, dust).
  • Ensuring compliance with occupational health standards and improving workers’ health.
  • Case Study: Implementing an occupational health program in a high-risk industry.

Day 5: Certification, Review, and Final Assessment

• Session 1: Review of Key Concepts

  • Recap of essential concepts in workplace safety, risk management, and health.
  • Addressing questions and clarifications from participants.
  • Group discussions on challenges faced in implementing safety systems.

• Session 2: Final Exam and Practical Assessment

  • A comprehensive written exam covering all topics discussed during the course.
  • Practical assessment: Developing a workplace safety program or conducting a risk assessment.

• Session 3: Certification Ceremony and Conclusion

  • Presentation of the Specialist Diploma in Workplace Safety and Health to successful candidates.
  • Closing remarks and final Q&A.
  • Networking opportunities for further collaboration in the field.