This course provides introductory concepts in occupational health and safety, focusing on methods to assess, prevent and control the major hazards present in the workplace.  The course also discusses applicable regulations and standards of the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration, the financial and human impact of occupational injuries and illnesses, and introduces the workers' compensation programs.  Students will learn about major occupational safety and health hazards in the workplace and across several industrial sectors.  In addition, students learn how to evaluate exposure, assess prevent and control hazards related to mechanical systems, falling, impact, acceleration, temperature extremes, pressure, electricity, fire, industrial hygiene, confined spaces, radiation, noise and vibration, and blood-borne pathogens.  

Text Book:  David L Goetsch.  Occupational Safety and Health for Technologist, Engineers, and Managers 9th Edition, Pearson, ISBN 13: 978-0-13-469581-5.

Safety and Health Movement, Then and Now

Accidents and Their Effects

Theories of Accident Causation

Safety, Health, and Competition in the Global Marketplace

Accident Investigation and Reporting

Ergonomic Hazards: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)

Safety and Health Training

Mechanical Hazards and Machine Safeguarding

Falling, Impact, Acceleration, and Vision Hazards with Appropriate PPE

Hazards of Temperature Extremes

Fire Hazards and Life Safety

Industrial Hygiene and Confined Space

Radiation Hazards

Noise and Vibration Hazards

Preparing for Emergencies, Disasters, and Terrorism

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. List and describe the major types and categories of occupational safety and health hazards in the workplace.
2. Describe the history and evolution of occupational safety and health.
3. Define basic terminology used in the field of occupational safety and health and apply it appropriately.
4. Identify relevant regulatory and national consensus standards along with best practices that are applicable.
5. Select appropriate control methodologies based on the hierarchy of controls.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking skills including creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. (THECB Core Objective).
7. Demonstrate communication skills including effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication. (THECB Core Objective).
8. Demonstrate teamwork skills to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal. (THECB Core Objective).
9. Demonstrate personal responsibility including the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making. (THECB Core Objective)