Occupational Health and Safety Program Frequently Asked Questions

1. Employers across the country, from natural resource companies to hospitals, schools to manufacturers, office-based businesses to retailers, all must conform to Occupational Health and Safety legislation. As legislation and standards become more multifaceted, demand for qualified Occupational Health and Safety professionals grows.
2. Occupational Health and Safety is a career path with remarkable possibilities. As a graduate of Saskatchewan Polytechnic's OHS program, you will have the skills necessary to provide knowledgeable advice that employers rely on to develop, implement and evaluate safety management systems.
3. The program is an excellent fit if you're looking to enter the Occupational Health and Safety profession, are already working in Occupational Health and Safety and want to expand your career opportunities, or are considering or preparing to write the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) or Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) exam and are looking to expand your knowledge.
4. Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Occupational Health and Safety certificate offer flexible learning options with program delivery available on campus in Saskatoon, SK and through distance education for students across Canada.
5. The Occupational Health and Safety certificate program is recognized by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals as meeting necessary academic eligibility requirements.

1. On campus (Saskatoon, SK)
   • The program is offered from late August/early September to June.
2. Online
   • Courses have definite start and end dates with each course.
   • Start dates are July, September, October, January and March of each academic year.
3. For a complete list of courses including dates, costs, location and course registration numbers (CRN) visit OHS courses.

The program consists of 15 theory-based courses, a 2-week practicum and five electives (must complete one of five).

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Credit Units
SFTY 177	Auditing Safety Management	45	3
SFTY 198	Contractor Safety Management	45	3
CLTR-200	Culture and Diversity	30	2
HLTH 187	Disability Management	60	4
SFTY 174	Emergency Management	60	4
HLTH 191	Ergonomics	60	4
SFTY 199	Fire Prevention and Protection	60	4
HLTH 179	Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene 1	60	4
HLTH 189	Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene 2	60	4
HLTH 190	Incident Investigation	60	4
LAW 100	Law and Ethics	60	4
MGMT 191	Organizational Behaviour	60	4
PRAC 189	Practicum (2 weeks)	80	5
HUMR 102	Professional Education and Career Planning	60	4
SFTY 173	Risk Management	60	4
SFTY 175	Safety Program Management	60	4

Electives: Students must complete one elective

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Credit Units
HLTH 105	Fatigue Management	30	2
HLTH 106	Psychological Health and Safety	30	2
HLTH 192	Respiratory Test/Train Trainer	16	1
TRAN 181	Transportation of Dangerous Goods Train the Trainer	16	1
WHMS 184	WHMIS Train the Trainer	16	1

Yes, many of our courses have prerequisites that must be completed before participating in other courses.

For course load and scheduling support please contact the program head.

1. As part of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Occupational Health and Safety certificate program, students are required to complete a two-week / 80-hour practicum with an OH&S professional who has or reports directly to someone with a minimum of 5 years of OH&S experience or holds a CRSP designation.
2. While onsite, students,under the guidance of their assigned OH&S professional, will participate in activities such as inspections, auditing, training, reviewing programs and policies, preparing and conducting a 10-minute presentation, and much more.
3. Before registering for PRAC 189, contact the program head.

1. On Campus
   • 40 weeks (Late August/early September to June)
2. Online
   • One to two years (approximate and dependent on a student's availability)
   • Students have four years to complete the program.

1. Yes, courses are open to the public for registration.
2. Enrolment is required before participating in the practicum if you wish to receive a certificate of completion.

1. Submit an Application Admission form, an application fee (non-refundable), and applicable documentation/transcripts to Enrolment Services.
2. For forms call 1-866-467-4278 or print from Admissions

1. Those applying must have obtained Grade 12 or GED equivalent and English Language Requirements.
2. To learn more visit Admission Requirements
3. Desirable skills include good computer skills (typing, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint), strong organization and problem-solving skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills and a passion for preventing workplace injury.

1. Students can obtain transfer credit if 80% of similar post-secondary course has been taken within the last five (5) years.
2. To learn more about Transfer Credits visit Transfer Credits or contact the program head.

1. Yes, the certificate program offers credit based on previous experience through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Availability (PLAR).
2. To learn more about PLAR visit the Occupational Health and Safety program page.
3. If you have experience as an Occupational Health and Safety practitioner, please contact the program head.

1. Congratulations! Your first step is to decide which classes you will take first and then register
2. To view the course listing and co/prerequisites go to OHS courses.
   • Course registration opens June 1 for the upcoming academic year.

On-campus

• The class schedule will dictate the order of classes through the 39-week program and will be provided to students by the Occupational Health and Safety Program.
• Courses will begin the first Tuesday following September Labour Day long weekend.

Distance

• While students are allowed to participate in as many courses as they wish, except those with prerequisites that have yet to be completed, there are a few courses we highly recommend students look to begin their studies with.
  • LAW 100 Law and Ethics 
  • SFTY 173 Risk Management
  • HUMR 102 Professional Education and Career Planning
• For course load and scheduling support, please contact the program head.

1. Yes, all courses have a registration deadline.
   • Practicum – Eight weeks before the start date
   • Electives – Seven to 10 days before the start date
   • Theory-based courses accept registration until the end of the first week.
2. Please note that all courses have a seating capacity (online included).
   • Should a course you wish to register for be full you can request to go onto a waitlist.

1. If you are being sponsored for a class, the sponsoring agency must send a letter specifying your personal information, the specific class you are registering for, and whether they are paying for tuition and books or just tuition. Another option is to complete the Continuing Education Course Student Registration Form which includes a second page for sponsorship.
2. **Please note**
   • If the sponsorship form states the specific class you are registering in for the semester, you do not need to call to register; that will be done automatically. You must contact the Campus Store for your course material.
   • If the sponsorship form covers sponsorship for the program (e.g. OHS certificate program), you must call to register for classes. You must also contact the Campus Store for your course material.

1.        To be eligible for a part-time student loan, your course load percentage must be 20 – 60% of a full course load.
2. To be eligible for a full-time student loan, your course load percentage must be over 60% of a full course load.
3.  These percentages can be difficult to achieve when taking classes through distance learning. Still, you may be eligible for a part-time student loan depending on the number of classes you can take in a semester.
4. Your first step is determining which classes you would take and contacting Enrolment Services to do a course load calculation.

1. Books and related course materials are available through the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Campus Store.
2. You can order online or by calling 1-866-569-8398
   • You must provide the corresponding Course Registration Number (CRN) and the course code (e.g., SFTY 199) of the class you wish to purchase books.