OHS Postgraduate Programme
Short Courses in Occupational Hygiene
Introduction
Globally, demand for occupational hygienists is increasing, albeit not necessarily in the traditional developed centres of the world. There is also evidence that the ability to recruit appropriate personnel in many parts of the world, and the lack of suitable training courses, are barriers to the development of the profession in these locations.
Many companies that operate globally are experiencing these issues and a number of workshops and meetings have been held in various parts of the world e.g. Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) Conference at the Gold Coast and Melbourne, British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) Glasgow, American Industrial Hygiene Convention & Exhibition (AIHCE) Philadelphia and the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA ) in Taipei, to seek input as to how this situation could be addressed.
One outcome from the above discussions has been the recognition that there is a lack of quality training programmes that fill the gap between the traditional “Basic Principles” courses offered by professional associations, and the higher level academic programmes currently offered by a number of universities. The concept for these “intermediate” training programmes was that they should provide a stepping stone for developing professionals in their early career, focusing on practical “hands on” aspects of occupational hygiene practice.
Development of Training Materials
The initial concept was to use the BOHS Occupational Hygiene Modules which have been in operation for many years. Through the generous financial support of BP International, the University of Wollongong was contracted to run a trial using UK training materials in October 2006 with students from Australia, Indonesia, China, Malaysia and the USA. It was clear from this trial that the material was UK centric and did not represent the varying international practices in use today.
As a result of the initial trial, BP International have funded the development of six one week modular short courses with the intent to provide a comprehensive quality teaching package that could be used by a variety of institutions across the world and was suitable for translation into local languages. Each module is part of a series but can be taken in isolation and so there is no ongoing long term commitment necessary in enrolling on one course.
The syllabi for each module have been developed in partnership with BOHS and in consultation with AIOH and other IOHA member organisations. The content builds on an established format used by BOHS but updated to reflect current developments and to remove all reference to National or local legislation. There is also a greater focus on the need for practical ‘hands on’ experience during the teaching sessions.
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Currently Available Courses
The first three courses to become available are
- Measurement of Hazardous Substances (GHMA 940)
- Thermal Environment (GHMA 941)
- Noise – Measurement and Effects (GHMA 942)
Details of these courses are provided below:
Measurement of Hazardous Substances (GHMA940)
The Measurement of Hazardous Substances short course covers the advocated approach for the assessment of the health risk(s) associated with exposure to hazardous substances, and of the role and application of atmospheric monitoring.
Lectures, practical exercises, case studies and overnight revision questions are used to teach and explore the theories of sampling, analysis and the calculation and presentation of results.
Upon conclusion of the course attendees should be able to:
- Describe the general approach to health risk assessment, including the role of atmospheric monitoring.
- Select appropriate equipment to measure specific airborne contaminants and devise a suitable sampling strategy.
- Present the results in a form useful for health risk assessment purposes to enable management to comply with relevant legislation.
Thermal Environment (GHMA941)
This comprehensive short course will develop students’ knowledge and skills in the specialised area of thermal environments. The course will provide students with a sound understanding of the physiological effects of the thermal environment on workers in a variety of settings; develop the skills necessary to assess the degree of risk in a wide variety of situations both hot and cold; and provide guidance on those control measures that can be used to minimise the effects of adverse thermal conditions in the workplace.
Upon conclusion of the course attendees should be able to:
- Identify sources of thermal stress within the working environment.
- Evaluate the nature of thermal strain on the body.
- Assess the thermal environment using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Determine the level of risk from exposure to thermal stress.
- Determine the appropriate control approaches for the thermal environment.
- Prepare reports suitable for use in industry.
Noise – Measurement and Effects (GHMA 942)
The Noise – Measurement and Effects short course provides attendees with an outline of the nature of noise hazards in the workplace and the effects of noise on people. The course then details the approaches in conducting noise assessments and determining the significance of measurement data in relation to compliance standards.
Upon conclusion of the course attendees should be able to:
- Describe the consequences to health and well being of excessive exposure to noise.
- Demonstrate the measurement (including dosimetry) of noise, and determine the level in relation to current standards;
- Conduct surveys in the workplace to assess risks from noise.
- Advise on the need and means of control including PPE.
- Recognise and advise on environmental noise assessment and concerns via industry reports.
- Evaluate current standards and good practice in these fields.
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The Presenters
The subjects will be taught by occupational hygienists who have substantial experience from working in industry or government.
Presenters include:
Associate Professor Brian Davies
 Brian has worked in the field of Occupational Hygiene for approximately 30 years and has experience in the mining, steel & aviation industries. Brian is a Certified Occupational Hygienist with the AIOH and a Certified Industrial Hygienist with the American Board of Industrial Hygienists (ABIH). Brian is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong where he lectures in the field of Occupational Hygiene. Brian’s research interests include the measurement & control of diesel particulate and the statistical evaluation of exposure data.
More Information >>
Mr John Henderson
 John Henderson is well known in the occupational hygiene profession and has over 30 years experience having worked in the in the steel, nuclear, safety equipment supply industries and for a number of different NSW Government organisations before establishing his own consultancy business. He is a Certified Occupational Hygienist with the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) and a Fellow of the AIOH. John has been a member of a number of different Australian Standards Committees and is also an Honorary Fellow in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Wollongong.
Mrs Jen Hines
 Jen Hines has worked in an Alumina Refinery (QLD), Copper Smelter and Refinery (Wollongong) and in Coal Mines operated by BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal. She has also worked as a consultant both for an external company (QLD and Sydney) and her own business for a number of years. She has particular experience with sulphur dioxide in smelting copper, dust and noise in coal mines, and hazardous substances, however her work experience has 'exposed' her to many areas of occupational hygiene. She is a current active member of the AIOH (Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists), and has been the Honorary Secretary for the Institute. In 2005 she won the Airmet Scientific Award to attend the American Occupational Hygiene Conference.
Mr Ken Mikl
 Ken Mikl has a history of team management and technical expertise developed in the private and public sectors from which he retired in 2007
Ken has comprehensive work experience in many aspects of Building, Chemical, Industrial and Government organisations.
He was the State Co-ordinator Working Environment at WorkCover NSW specialising in the areas of Acoustics and noise control in industry, and leading team projects on Noise in Construction, Passive Smoking and Microwave Radiation. He managed a highly competent acoustic consulting team and assessed and installed controls in occupational areas including farming, heavy industry, offices, opera and musicals.
Ken is a Past President of the Australian Acoustic Society and Head of the bidding team for the International Congress on Acoustics for Sydney, Organized and Chaired National Acoustics Conference in Canberra, Member of the AIOH and AAS until his retirement.
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Qualification and advanced standing opportunities
On successful completion of the Measurement of Hazardous Substances, Noise – Measurement and Effects or Thermal Environment short course, attendees will receive a certificate of attainment from the University of Wollongong’s Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences.
Students who successfully complete this programme may apply for credit towards the Master of Science (Occupational Health and Safety) or other relevant programmes offered by the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences. For further information regarding this arrangement please contact Associate Professor Brian Davies at bdavies@uow.edu.au or 02 42214438.
Students wishing to undertake the assessment phase so as to receive credit for a subject will be required to complete three (3) assignments (20% each) and a two (2) hour online examination (40%) for each subject. The examination will take the form of sixty (60) multiple choice questions plus five (5) short answer questions. Assignments will be due approximately two (2) weeks after the course and the final online examination will be held approximately four (4) weeks after the course.
Entry Requirements
Demonstrated relevant work experience or evidence of understanding fundamental Occupational Hygiene principles, such as the completion of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists four (4) Day fundamentals course. However all interested are actively encouraged to apply, as all applications will be individually assessed.
English language requirements. If you are an international student or a domestic student and English is not your first language, you are required to provide evidence of satisfying a Minimum IELTS overall score of 6.5 within the last two years or letter of support from employer indicating English language ability.
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Dates, Costs and Application Form
| Course |
2008 Dates |
Cost |
GHMA 940
Measurement of Hazardous Substances |
30 June to
4 July |
$2,200
(including GST) |
GHMA 942
Noise – Measurement and Effects |
7 July to
11 July |
$2,200
(including GST) |
GHMA 941
Thermal Environment |
29 Sep to
3 Oct |
$2,200
(including GST) |
The course fee includes all teaching materials (eg: student manual, overheads and case studies) related to the subject.
Applications close ten (10) working days prior to course commencement.
Application Form [pdf 180kb]
Location
All courses will be held at the University of Wollongong School of Health Sciences in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The specific location is:
School of Health Sciences
Building 41
University of Wollongong
Northfields Avenue
Wollongong NSW, 2522
Buidling Location >>
For an application form or further information:
Phone: 02 4221 4438
Email: bdavies@uow.edu.au
Future Developments
The AIOH is currently considering these courses (including the remaining 3 under development) together with an appropriate period of membership as a pathway to fulfil the educational requirements for full membership of the AIOH (President’s Message: AIOH Newsletter Issue No. 103 March 2008).
It is anticipated that the remaining three courses:
- Control of Hazardous Substances
- Asbestos and other Fibres
- Ergonomics Essentials
will be available in early 2009. When details become available they will be posted on this website.
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