Short Courses

From time to time a number of short courses are offered. These are individual subjects in the MSc OHP programme which can be accessed under a non award programme. Space is limited and places may not be available each year as OHP student enrolments will take precedence. Students who successfully complete any non award subjects within the OHS/OHP programme, may apply for credit towards the Master of Science Occupational Hygiene Practice where appropriate. For further information regarding this arrangement please contact Brian Davies the OHS Academic Programme Coordinator at bdavies@uow.edu.au.

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 forty (40) multiple choice questions plus ten (10) short answer questions. Assignments will be due approximately four (4) weeks after the short course and the final online examination will be held approximately six (6) weeks after completion of the short course.

The University of Wollongong is an Occupational Hygiene Training Authority (OHTA) approved provider. Short courses can be undertaken under the OHTA format, subject to approval by the OHS Academic Programme Coordinator. More information on OHTA can be found at www.OHLearning.com

The short courses currently offered under this programme include:

Measurement of Hazardous Substances (SHS974)

This short course covers the industry 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 (SHS975)

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 (SHS976)

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. 

Control of Hazardous Substances (SHS977)

The aim of this short course is to provide the student with an appreciation of workplace processes and practices where hazardous substances occur and the methods that can be used to control employee exposures to those hazardous substances.  Additionally, the course details the approach in conducting assessments of ventilation systems (a key control technology) in the workplace to establish if the ventilation system is effective and operating to its design specifications.

Upon conclusion of the course attendees should be able to:

• Demonstrate the range of strategies available to control employee exposures and be able to select appropriate strategies for implementation.
• Critically evaluate the importance of design considerations in terms of the workplace, process and plant as a means of reducing employee exposures.
• Advise on how PPE programmes may be used in an effective manner.
• Describe the principle  elements of a local exhaust ventilation system and conduct the necessary measurements to establish if the system is effective  and operating to its design specification.

Asbestos and other Fibres (SHS978)

The aim of this short course is to enhance the student’s knowledge of Occupational Hygiene practice in relation to fibrous dusts such as asbestos, synthetic mineral fibres (glass fibre, rock wool etc) and Aramids (Nomex, Kevlar, Twaron etc) the latter of which are increasingly finding uses in industry. This course provides guidance as to how these products can be managed so as to minimise employee exposures. This includes understanding the health effects, evaluating workplace exposures and management of fibrous materials in workplaces.

Upon conclusion of the course attendees should be able to:

• Describe the health effects of the key fibrous dusts and apply appropriate exposure limits.
• Advise on the implications of asbestos and SMF’s in workplace activities as well as in situ in buildings.
• Sample and identify asbestos and other key fibres and evaluate workplaces to determine airborne concentrations of such fibres.
• Describe the requirements to manage, contain, remove and dispose of asbestos and other fibres.

Ergonomics Essentials (SHS979) 

The aim of this short course is to provide the student with a broad based introduction to ergonomic principles and their application in the design of work, equipment and the workplace.  Specific consideration will be given to musculoskeletal disorders, manual handling, ergonomic aspects of the environment, as well as to the social aspects and relevant international standards.

Upon conclusion of the course attendees should be able to:

• Describe and apply ergonomic principles to promote safety, health and productivity,
• Outline the process of ergonomic risk assessments.
• Explain the causes of upper limb disorders.
• Examine workplace layout and equipment design according to ergonomic principles and identify environmental aspects of good ergonomic design.