Introduction to OHS
Undergraduate
ACU-OHSE201 2021Course information for 2021 intake
Get the fundamentals of OHS professional practice under your belt. Learn the concepts around hazard and risk, how to put these into action and how to communicate these effectively to your stakeholders.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Introduction to OHS
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Evaluate occupational health and safety concepts including risk management, consultation and worker participation, and the conceptual structure underpinning OHSE professional practice
- Compare and contrast basic concepts of hazard and risk management using OHSE concepts, models and practices
- Design and implement risk management processes in a legislative and organisational context
- Communicate OHSE issues data and relevant technologies effectively to internal and external organisational stakeholders
- Apply knowledge of OHSE audit programs through critical review of their efficacy in managing risk and communicate this to various stakeholders
- Introduction to OHSE
- OHSE Management Concepts
- Hazards, Risks and Risk Management
- Risk assessment and Control
- Good work design
- Consultation and training
- Emergency planning
- Standards and management systems
- Evaluation of OHSE performance
- Auditing
- Rethinking OHSE
- Effective communication of OHS information and data
This unit is introductory yet practical in nature, and provides students with an understanding of basic principles of OHS management, with a view to having the same addressed in greater detail by subsequent units. Students will have the opportunity to explore and discuss a range of OHS management issues and develop skills in applying basic OHS practices in national and international organisational contexts. In doing so, this unit aims to provide students with the foundation knowledge, and skills on which to base further development in OHSE practice and/or to have informed discourse about OHSE issues with organisational stakeholders.
Three assessment items are required in this unit. The first, based around online discussion, requires students to combine their views and experiences with research from the academic literature while considering and responding to views expressed or questions posed by other students. The second item is a business report that requires students to draw on the content and models covered in this unit, as well as relevant academic and industry-based literature and legislative requirements as a means of preparing a basic risk management report. The third item is an academic paper that is aimed at addressing the question of whether audit programs facilitate continuous performance improvement with regards to OHSE risk management.
In order to pass this unit, students are required to achieve an overall mark of at least 50% and must make an attempt at all three assessment items. The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome.- Academic Paper A (40%)
- Online Discussion Activities (25%)
- Academic Paper B (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about ACU.
Explore ACU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 34
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 29
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
ACU-OHS201 (Not currently available)
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.