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
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 3 - 2020
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).
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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 Have Your Say Feedback
Students reported that there could be more emphasis on when the 4 Quest tasks were released to students and when they should submit these tasks.
Whilst the schedule clearly states when students can access and submit the 4 Quests as part of Assessment 1, students appear to struggle with this rolling assessment task idea. It is recommended that Assessment 1 be revised so that only one assessment task is completed which incorporates the learning outcomes of the current 4 Quest tasks.
Feedback from Have Your Say Feedback
Students commented that the Zoom tutorials (done by a causal tutor) were not well received due to mixed messages on assessment requirements being given.
It is recommended that the delivery of the Zoom tutorials by casual staff be reviewed for future offerings with a view to enhancing the messages delivered to students on assessment requirements.
- 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.
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
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.raineri@cqu.edu.au
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 supplied on the Moodle site)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: The Extent of the OHS Problem
Chapter
Chapter 4.1 - Global Concepts - Work, 2012
Chapter 5.1 - Global Concepts - Safety, 2012
Chapter 6.6 - Global Concepts - Health, 2012
Events and Submissions/Topic
OHS Quest 1 Opens
Module/Topic
Lecture: Humans
Chapter
Chapter 7 - The Human: As a biological system
Chapter 8.1 - The Human: Basic psychological principles
Chapter 8.2 - The Human: Basic principles of social interaction
Events and Submissions/Topic
OHS Quest 1 due Monday 30th November 2020 (10:00 AM)
Module/Topic
Lecture: The Organisation
Chapter
Chapter 10.1 - The Organisation
Chapter 10.2 - Organisational Culture
Events and Submissions/Topic
OHS Quest 2 Opens
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Socio-political Context
Chapter
Chapter 9.1 - Socio-political context: OHS law and regulation in Australia
Chapter 9.2 - Work Health and Safety Law in Australia
Chapter 9 - Industrial, technological and business imperatives
Events and Submissions/Topic
OHS Quest 2 due Monday 21st December 2020 (10:00 AM)
Module/Topic
Lecture: Hazards and Risks
Chapter
Chapter 15 - Hazard as a Concept
Chapter 31.1 - Risk
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Control: Prevention and Intervention
Chapter
Chapter 34.1 - Control: Prevention and Intervention
Chapter 34.2 - User-Centric Safe Design Approach to Control
Chapter 34.3 - Health and Safety In Design
Events and Submissions/Topic
OHS Quest 3 Opens
Mind Map Due: Week 7 Monday (4 Jan 2021) 10:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Lecture - Systems
Chapter
Chapter 12.1 - Systems
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quest 3 due Monday 18th January 2021 (10:00 AM)
Module/Topic
Lecture: Models of Causation - Safety
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Models of Causation - Health Determinant
Chapter
Chapter 33 - Models of Causation - Health Determinants
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Introduction of OHS Practice
Chapter
Chapter 37 - Introduction to 'practice' as a concept
Chapter 39.1 - The OHS professional as a 'critical consumer' of research
Events and Submissions/Topic
OHS Quest 4 Opens
OHS Professional Practice Due: Week 11 Monday (1 Feb 2021) 10:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Lecture - Introduction to OHS - Unit Summary
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
OHS Quest 4 due Monday 15th February 2021 (10:00 AM)
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
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 four quests:
Quest 1: Future directions (Due Week 3)
Quest 2: Work environments (Due Week 5)
Quest 3: Hazard controls (Due Week 8)
Quest 4: Reflective practice (Due Week 12)
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 page. They will be staggered with tasks being completed by set dates. Please see the schedule for the specific due dates for each task.
4
Other
The marking criteria are different for each Quest as follows:
Quest 1:
Chosen 5 key words are appropriate (5%)
Demonstrates ability to critically think and argue key points of the quest (50%)
Demonstrates an ability to answer the quest using key information to support writing (40%)
Correct use of grammar, language and spelling (5%)
Quest 2:
Demonstrates ability to interview 5 people and identify their environment (35%)
Demonstrates an ability to critically identify the OHS issues faced in the environment by the person interviewed (60%)
Correct use of grammar, language and spelling (5%)
Quest 3:
Demonstrates ability to source relevant risk management material to assist identified character (30%)
Demonstrates an ability to answer the quest as to how the risk management material will assist them manage
their OHS issues in their environment (60%)
Referencing (10%)
Quest 4:
Demonstrates ability to critically think about the learning journey across the term as it relates to OHS
competency (50%)
Demonstrates an ability to answer the quest using self reflection to support writing (50%)
A detailed marking matrix for each task will be available to you via the Moodle site.
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.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- 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.
2 Written Assessment
In this assessment you will explore aspects of your study so far in this unit in order to display your understanding of key concepts as a Mind Map.
Therefore, for each of the headings listed below, display, via your Mind Map, your deeper understanding of these elements as covered in the OHS Body of Knowledge chapters you have read, being: -
(1) History of OHS as a Profession and the Generalist OHS role (Week 1 and 2 = Chapters 3, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1),
(2) The Human including Biological, Psychological and Social Systems (Week 3 = Chapters 7, 8.1 and 8.2),
(3) The Organisation (Week 4 = Chapters 10.1 and 10.2),
(4) The Socio-Political context and OHS Law in Australia (Week 5 = Chapters 9, 9.1, and 9.2).
The four 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 and the material covered in this unit in the first 5 weeks.
Presentation Format:
You are required to prepare a ONE page Mind Map of what you have learnt under each of the headings referred to above that you have learnt about this term.
Examples of Mind Maps will be given in Moodle, however please feel free to research mind maps and see how you would like to present your work.
Week 7 Monday (4 Jan 2021) 10:00 am AEST
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 these chapters of the Body of Knowledge (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.
Minimum mark or grade:
To pass this unit, students must attempt this assessment and must obtain a minimum grade of 25%.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- 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.
3 Written Assessment
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 how the profession developed from the early industrial era up to what the OHS profession encompasses in modern social-technical times, then: -
2. Describe how OHS professionals: -
(a) use their knowledge of the key elements covered in this unit (i.e. refer to the wide range subjects covered in this unit via the OHS BoK) to reduce the occupational injury and disease impacts on individuals, organisations and the wider community (society); and
(b) use their evidence informed knowledge of OHS to influence the practice of OHS in organisations (i.e. critical consumers of research).
Word expectation: 2000 words.
Submission should be in Word format only.
Week 11 Monday (1 Feb 2021) 10:00 am AEST
This assessment will be marked according to the following criteria:
- Ability to apply a historical to modern day OHS professional lens - 20%
- Ability to discuss key elements of OHS practice to reduce the impacts on individuals, organisations and society - 30%
- Ability to identify evidence informed practice concepts and OHS professional as a critical consumer of research - 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.
Minimum mark or grade:
To pass this unit, students must attempt this assessment and obtain a minimum grade of 25%.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- 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.
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.