Introduction to Health and Safety Systems
- Online delivery
- eClass
- 39 hour course, no prerequisites
This introduction to theories and practices of health and safety programs in the workplace includes the recognition, evaluation, and control hazards. You will develop a basic understanding of accident control procedures as you examine the legislations related to accident investigation, work site inspection, accident causation theories, and safe-work procedure development.
Course at a glance
- Offered fully online or through blended (online + in-class) learning.
- Explore the main concepts of safety management, understand how they play a role in your work as a health and safety practitioner, and learn how to apply them for solving relevant practical problems.
- Aimed at entry-level and practicing health and safety coordinators, professionals, officers, technicians, supervisors, trainers, management, and administrators.
What you will learn
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Describe the fundamental elements of effective health and safety management systems.
- Apply basic concepts and principles associated with managing safety, such as hazard assessment, risk management, incident investigation, workplace inspections, training, and continuous improvement.
- Explain the variations in roles and duties of health and safety practitioners, as well as their relationship with others.
- Describe the evolution of health and safety management since the industrial revolution.
- Describe a basic approach to building an effective health and safety management system.
- Describe the basic OHS legislation in Alberta and its general influence on OHS performance.
Take note:
- This course is offered several times throughout the year; each specific offering is called a “course section.” Some sections of EXOS 4620 are delivered entirely online; others are taught through a mix of online and in-class instruction (blended).
- When selecting the dates and the section you want to enrol in, look for the note that indicates the delivery format of that specific section—and make sure you have chosen a section that’s offered in your desired format (online or blended).
- The online components of this course are facilitated through eClass, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool.
This course has no prerequisites
Students from all educational backgrounds welcome. You can register for this course without applying and enrolling in a program.
Offered:
Course duration
Jan 11, 2021Mar 20, 2021
Asynchronous online learning, eClass
39 hours of instruction
In asynchronous online courses, students are expected to move through the course material at the same pace as their peers, but there are no real-time virtual classroom sessions to attend. All components of this type of course are accessible through eClass, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool. format details

Your Instructor
Susan Sawatzky
Susan Sawatzky is an independent consultant specializing in fatigue risk management, stress management, and psychological health and safety in the workplace. She is the South Region Manager with the Alberta Construction Safety Association. An international keynote speaker, Susan has presented for a variety of organizations with notable clients including NASA, the American Society of Safety Professionals, and the Global Conference on Fatigue Management. Her industry experience includes assisting in the advancement of NASA’s Fatigue Management Program and creating fatigue policy and guidelines with the Canadian oil and gas industry.
Textbooks
Required
Alberta Oh&s Acts, Regulations And Codes
Alberta Queens Printer: 780.427.4952, www.qp.alberta.ca
Required
Dianne E.G. Dyck
Occupational Health & Safety: Theory, Strategy & I
ISBN 9780433502074
Class info
-
This is an asynchronous course. To start your online learning experience visit www.ext-leo.ca/students
-
39 course hours in total
-
Cost assistance: May be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant and the Canada Training Benefit. (view all)
Corporate multi-registration packages (groups of 4 or more) are available for most Extension courses. Contact us at corporate.learning@ualberta.ca for preferred pricing. -
Open for registration until January 11, 2021. Register at least one week before the course start date to secure your spot. If space is available you may register until the day the course starts.
Overall Schedule
Jan 14 — pre-class information opens
Students in this course section may have pre-class readings or assessments to complete.
Lecture/Class Schedule
Jan 21Jan 24
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Feb 7 — post-class component closes
Students in this section may have post-class readings or assessments to complete.
Synchronous online learning, eClass
39 hours of instruction
In synchronous online courses, students move through the course material at the same pace as their peers. These courses also provide learners with pre-scheduled online lectures that have the instructor and students interacting at the same time. All components of this type of course are accessible through eClass, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool. format details

Your Instructor
Nicole Orr
Nicole Orr has two decades of experience in Health, Safety, and Environment in the industrial construction, residential, transportation, commercial, manufacturing, and engineering industries. She has worked in the creation and management of contractor, prime contractor, and owner Health, Safety, and Environment systems, as well as serious incident and fatality investigations, creation and facilitation of training, and regulatory compliance. In addition to teaching at the Faculty of Extension, she has been an instructor with various organizations, including the Alberta Motor Transportation Association, the Work Proud Training for Women Building Futures, and the Alberta Construction Safety Association.
Textbooks
Required
Alberta Oh&s Acts, Regulations And Codes
Alberta Queens Printer: 780.427.4952, www.qp.alberta.ca
Required
Dianne E.G. Dyck
Occupational Health & Safety: Theory, Strategy & I
ISBN 9780433502074
Class info
-
This is a synchronous course that features live online activities at predetermined times. To start your online learning experience visit www.ext-leo.ca/students
-
39 course hours in total
-
Cost assistance: May be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant and the Canada Training Benefit. (view all)
Corporate multi-registration packages (groups of 4 or more) are available for most Extension courses. Contact us at corporate.learning@ualberta.ca for preferred pricing. -
Open for registration until January 14, 2021. Register at least one week before the course start date to secure your spot. If space is available you may register until the day the course starts.
Overall Schedule
Apr 15 — pre-class information opens
Students in this course section may have pre-class readings or assessments to complete.
Lecture/Class Schedule
Apr 22Apr 25
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
May 9 — post-class component closes
Students in this section may have post-class readings or assessments to complete.
Synchronous online learning, eClass
39 hours of instruction
In synchronous online courses, students move through the course material at the same pace as their peers. These courses also provide learners with pre-scheduled online lectures that have the instructor and students interacting at the same time. All components of this type of course are accessible through eClass, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool. format details

Your Instructor
Nicole Orr
Nicole Orr has two decades of experience in Health, Safety, and Environment in the industrial construction, residential, transportation, commercial, manufacturing, and engineering industries. She has worked in the creation and management of contractor, prime contractor, and owner Health, Safety, and Environment systems, as well as serious incident and fatality investigations, creation and facilitation of training, and regulatory compliance. In addition to teaching at the Faculty of Extension, she has been an instructor with various organizations, including the Alberta Motor Transportation Association, the Work Proud Training for Women Building Futures, and the Alberta Construction Safety Association.
Textbooks
Required
Alberta Ohs Act, Regulation And Code
Required
Dyck
Occupational Health & Safety: Theory, Strategy & I
ISBN 9780433502074
Class info
-
39 course hours in total
-
Cost assistance: May be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant and the Canada Training Benefit. (view all)
Corporate multi-registration packages (groups of 4 or more) are available for most Extension courses. Contact us at corporate.learning@ualberta.ca for preferred pricing. -
Open for registration until April 15, 2021. Register at least one week before the course start date to secure your spot. If space is available you may register until the day the course starts.
Currently counts towards
-
Certificate
in
Occupational Health & Safety
└ core course
-
Certificate
in
Human Resources Management
└ elective course
* If you are already enroled in this program, please refer to your specific program requirements as outlined at the time of your admission: Bear Tracks > Academic Advisement.
You can register for and take a course without applying and enrolling into the program.
We recommend that you apply to the program as soon as possible to lock in your course requirements as they are subject to change.
Looking for different course dates?
New course schedules are released each June and November.
- Offered now
- Online delivery
- 39 hour course, no prerequisites
A note about courses during COVID-19: all online
All courses will be delivered online, including many that were previously unavailable in the online format.
If you do see a course or program on our website announced as an in-person or downtown Edmonton offering, please disregard the format – but not the course. There will be no in-person offerings through the Faculty of Extension for the Winter, Spring, and Summer 2021 terms.
Get ready to keep learning! Register for a course and join us online this year.