Health & Safety Course

Higher National Diploma in Health & Safety  

Introduction

Health and Safety is primarily focused on the welfare of people at work. It is also concerned with safely managing the work environment. It has become a major concern for society. New legislation and regulation at Irish and European level has created many new employment opportunities.

This course has been designed to help learners develop an expertise in health and safety; understand relevant legislation; be able to identify various hazards in the workplace and learn how to manage these risks.

 

Career Opportunities

Graduates are employed as safety professionals across a range of occupational settings:

• Transport
• Construction/Mining
• Local Authorities
• Electronics & Manufacturing
• Medical Sector
• Safety/Environmental Consultancy Companies (self-employment)
• Public Service
• Self-employment
• Services Sector
  

Graduates with previous degree qualifications may combine this qualification for career enhancement.

 

Course Structure

Year 1 – Higher National Certificate

Core Elements

• Insurance 1
• Environmental Hazards
• Safety and Health Legislation
• Employment Law
• Human Resource Management
• Organisational and Industrial Behaviour
• Construction Studies 1
• Construction Studies 2
• Anatomy/Physiology and Health/Hygiene
• Epidemiology and Waste Management
  

Year 2 – Higher National Diploma

Core Elements

• Risk Management
• Insurance 2
• Human Factors in Health & Safety
• Workplace Safety Systems
• Facilities Project Management
• Environmental Management

 

Course Code	HS1 (first year) HS2 (second year)
Duration	2 years – full time September to May
Number of places	60 in first year, 30 in second year
Number of contact hours per week	25 approx
Timetable contact	5 days

Support Elements

• Applied IT (MS Office 2007)
• Study Skills
• Career Advice and CV Preparation
• Enterprise Workshop

 

Assessment and Certification

• This two year course is certified by BTEC/EDEXCEL.
• Learners must pass all 10 subjects to be awarded the BTEC Higher National Certificate in Health and Safety – Year 1.
• Learners must pass all 16 subjects to be awarded the BTEC Higher National Diploma in Health and Safety – Year 2.
• Insurance is certified by the Insurance Institute of Ireland.
• Applied IT is certified by FETAC.
• This course is assessed by coursework, final examinations, case studies, class presentations and role play.
  

Progression

Education/Training

Graduates may progress to the:

• 2nd year of the 3 year  B.Sc in Occupational Safety and Health, awarded by the Institute of Technology, Sligo.
• 2nd year of the 4 year part time Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Management or Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Healthcare Management awarded by the Institute of Public Administration
• Certificate in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work at Waterford Institute of Technology awarded by UCD  
• Graduate Diploma/MSC in Emergency Management awarded by Dublin City University
• MBS in Safety & Health at Work awarded by Dublin City University

 

Career

Graduates are well placed with a wide choice of employment opportunities.

 

Entry Requirements

It is advisable that applicants have either experience at Further/Higher Education or have suitable employment experience.

• Mature Students (including VTOS and BTEA)

Applicants without these entry requirements will be considered on the basis of age, experience and overall demonstrable ability.

• Other Applicants

Other equivalent qualifications will be considered. Learners wishing to transfer from similar courses should contact the College to determine suitability.

• FETAC Awards

Applications will be accepted from learners who have achieved FETAC awards.

• Other Requirements 

All applicants will have an advisory meeting to offer guidance and to ensure course suitability.

Fees

There are no tuition fees for EU students. At course commencement, students are required to pay for books, exams, a College registration fee and where applicable professional body registration fees.