CQUniversity Unit Profile
OCHS11026 Introductory Occupational Health and Safety
Introductory Occupational Health and Safety
All details in this unit profile for OCHS11026 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit provides an overview of occupational health and safety as a discipline. Students will trace the history and development of the discipline and develop an appreciation of the impact of the occupational environment on the health and safety of individuals. Students will examine the costs and benefits of strategies to prevent occupational injury and illness and be introduced to the different specialities within the OHS discipline.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2019

Adelaide
Brisbane
Bundaberg
Gladstone
Mackay
Melbourne
Online
Perth
Rockhampton
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 40%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Self and peer reflection. Student feedback

Feedback

There was confusion around the use of generic skills in some of the lecture topic areas.

Recommendation

All generic skill development will now be covered in the tutorials.

Feedback from Student feedback

Feedback

Include a suggested word count for the final assignment

Recommendation

A word count for the final assignment will now be added.

Feedback from Student feedback

Feedback

Students enjoyed the semi-formal nature of the tutorials and the ability to interact with both lecturers and tutors.

Recommendation

Zoom tutorials will be kept.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Trace the history and development of occupational health and safety.
  2. Identify the essential elements of occupational health and safety.
  3. Describe the impact of occupational injury and disease on individuals, organisations and society.
  4. Source risk management and prevention guidance material.
  5. Construct a reflective mind map related to occupational health and safety topics.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Ryan Kift Unit Coordinator
r.kift@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Introduction to the unit

Chapter

All Chapters are from the OHS Body of Knowledge (BoK):

Chapter 3 - The Generalist OHS Professional

Chapter 4 - Global Work

Events and Submissions/Topic

No tutorial this week

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: The extent of the OHS problem

Chapter

BoK Chapter 5 - Global Safety

BoK Chapter 6 - Global Health

Events and Submissions/Topic

Start OHS Quest 1

Tutorial - OHS Professional Practice Quests information session

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Humans

Chapter

BoK Chapter 12 - Humans as a Biological System

BoK Chapter 13 - Human - Psychological Principles

BoK Chapter 14 - Human - Principles of Social Interaction

Events and Submissions/Topic

OHS Quest 1 due (Friday 11:45pm)

Tutorial - Requesting extensions and assessment preparation

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Socio-Political Context - part 1

Chapter

BoK Chapter 8 - Sociopolitical - OHS Law in Australia

BoK Chapter 8.2 - Principles of OHS Law

BoK Chapter 9 - Sociopolitical - Industrial

Events and Submissions/Topic

Start OHS Quest 2

Tutorial - Mind mapping information

Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Socio-Political Context - part 2

Chapter

BoK Chapter 8 - Sociopolitical - OHS Law in Australia

BoK Chapter 8.2 - Principles of OHS Law

BoK Chapter 9 - Sociopolitical - Industrial

Events and Submissions/Topic

OHS Quest 2 due (Friday 11:45pm)

Tutorial - sourcing material

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: The Organisation

Chapter

BoK Chapter 10 - The Organisation

BoK Chapter 10.2 - Organisational Culture

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial - Reliable and unreliable sources


Mind Map Due: Week 6 Friday (26 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Systems

Chapter

BoK Chapter 11 - Systems

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial - Reports & academic writing

Week 8 Begin Date: 06 May 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Hazards and risks

Chapter

BoK Chapter 15 - Hazard as a Concept

BoK Chapter 31 - Risk

Events and Submissions/Topic

Start OHS Quest 3

Tutorial - Plagiarism

Week 9 Begin Date: 13 May 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Control: Prevention and Intervention

Chapter

BoK Chapter 34 - Control: Prevention and Intervention

BoK Chapter 34.1 - User-Centric Safe Design Approach to Control

Events and Submissions/Topic

OHS Quest 3 due (Friday 11:45pm)

Tutorial - Harvard referencing

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 May 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Models of Causation - Safety

Chapter

BoK Chapter 32 - Models of Causation – Safety

Events and Submissions/Topic

Start OHS Quest 4

Tutorial - Assessment preparation

Week 11 Begin Date: 27 May 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Models of Causation - Health determinants

Chapter

BoK Chapter 33 - Models of Causation - Health Determinants

BoK Chapter 36 - Control - Mitigation - Health Impacts

Events and Submissions/Topic

OHS Quest 4 due (Friday 11:45pm)

Tutorial - Assessment preparation

Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Lecture: Introduction to OHS Practice

Chapter

BoK Chapter 37 - Introduction to Practice as a Concept 

BoK Chapter 38 - Practice - Model of Practice

BoK Chapter 39 - Practice - Critical Consumer of Research

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial - Assessment preparation


The Impact of Occupational Injury and Disease Due: Week 12 Friday (7 June 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

There are no required textbooks to purchase for this unit. However The OHS Body of Knowledge is used and is available to download and print for non-commercial purposes at http://www.ohsbok.org.au/download-the-body-of-knowledge/. Additional readings, videos and resources will be provided throughout the term.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
OHS Professional Practice Quests

Task Description

Details: An important step in developing your knowledge in the area of OHS in this unit is to explore OHS practice, its history, essential elements, its importance and, as an emerging OHS professional, develop your skills and critical thinking in this area. This assessment will include three OHS - specific professional practice tasks and one reflective OHS professional survey.

Each of the four tasks are worth 10%, for a total of 40% for Assessment 1.

Details of each of the OHS tasks will be made available via the unit's Moodle pages. They will be staggered in approach, with tasks being completed by set dates. Please see the schedule for the specific due dates for each task.


Number of Quizzes

4


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Task 1 is due Friday Week 3, Task 2 is due Friday Week 5, Task 3 is due Friday Week 9 and Task 4 is due Friday Week 11. Please see Moodle for the submission area for each Task


Return Date to Students

Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
To pass this unit, students must attempt each part of this assessment and obtain a minimum grade of 25% for each part.

Assessment Criteria

As a general rule assessment criteria for the Assessment 1, tasks 1 to 3 are:

1. Communication of critical thinking and key ideas (50%),

2. Deliver the required content for the task and, where applicable, use information to support sound reasoning  (40%),

3. Correct use of grammar, spelling and language to convey thoughts and key points ethically and to a wide cross-cultural audience (10%.).


The Task 4 Reflective Survey will be marked slightly differently and will cover the ability to

1. Critically reflect on and answer key questions of the task in relation to your OHS profession learning journey across the term (80%) and

2. Demonstrate an ability to self-assess your OHS knowledge and skills, level of professional capabilities, as measured by the OHS Professional Capabilities Framework (20%).


A detailed marking matrix for each task will be available to you via the Moodle site.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Via the link in Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Trace the history and development of occupational health and safety.
  • Identify the essential elements of occupational health and safety.
  • Describe the impact of occupational injury and disease on individuals, organisations and society.
  • Source risk management and prevention guidance material.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Mind Map

Task Description

In this assessment you will explore the Generalist OHS Professional in Australia.

Chapter 3 of the OHS Body of Knowledge (OHS BoK) discusses the Generalist OHS Professional in Australia and covers the history, positive and negative aspects of the role, challenges, education, perceptions, recognition and paradigm shifts in the understanding of the OHS field of practice.

For this assessment you are required to construct a reflective mind map related to five main elements of the profession of OHS that are covered in chapter 3 of the OHS BoK.

Therefore, for each of the headings listed below, display, via a mind map, your deeper understanding of these elements which are extensively discussed in chapter 3, being:-

(1) Perceptions of the OHS professional,

(2) OHS educational issues,

(3) Australian legislation development,

(4) OHS paradigm shifts (ages of safety) and

(5) OHS professional roles.

The five headings above form the basis of your mind map, branching out from OHS in the centre, and you should add to those branches, ideas, concepts and understandings of what you now know they represent as they relate to the profession of OHS.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (26 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Friday (10 May 2019)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
To pass this unit, students must attempt this assessment and must obtain a minimum grade of 25%.

Assessment Criteria

When grading this submission specific attention will concentrate on finding:-

1. Evidence of your development of learning and understanding in relation to the key elements and concepts presented in this chapter of the BoK (75%); and

2. Evidence of critical thinking and creativity of presentation of key ideas (25%).

A detailed marking matrix will be provided via the Moodle site.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please submit in word or pdf format via the link in Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Trace the history and development of occupational health and safety.
  • Identify the essential elements of occupational health and safety.
  • Describe the impact of occupational injury and disease on individuals, organisations and society.
  • Source risk management and prevention guidance material.
  • Construct a reflective mind map related to occupational health and safety topics.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
The Impact of Occupational Injury and Disease

Task Description

For this assessment you will prepare a written paper that discusses your understanding of both Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) as a profession and the role of the OHS professional.

Your paper should cover the following two main areas which have been covered in this unit:-

1. Outline the historical developments of the profession of OHS demonstrating your understanding of:

           (a) how the profession developed over time (cover early years to current day) and

           (b) why the OHS profession has become of importance to ensuring the health and well-being of individuals, organisations and society over the years;

2. Describe how an OHS professional uses their understanding of the essential elements of OHS practice (covered in this unit via the OHS BoK) to reduce the occupational injury and disease impacts to individuals, organisations and the wider community (society).

Word expectation: 1500-2000 words.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (7 June 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (21 June 2019)


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
To pass this unit, students must attempt this assessment and obtain a minimum grade of 25%.

Assessment Criteria

Your assessment will be marked on the following criteria:-

  • Ability to apply a historical foundation to the topic - 25%
  • Ability to discuss the impacts on individuals, organisations and society - 25%
  • Ability to identify how the discipline of OHS strives to reduce the impacts to individuals, organisations and society - 30%
  • Organisation and sequence of written expression of the report, accurate grammar and spelling - 10%
  • Correct Use of Harvard Style Referencing - 10%

A detailed marking matrix will be available to you via the Moodle site.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission in a Word or pdf format is required via the link in Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Trace the history and development of occupational health and safety.
  • Identify the essential elements of occupational health and safety.
  • Describe the impact of occupational injury and disease on individuals, organisations and society.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?