596-LSAM: Safety Management

Course Manager

• Janice Thomas, PhD

Course Overview

This course introduces safety management systems and principles. Implementing a structured approach to organizational processes and workflow is the first step in creating a safety culture in an organization—one that involves employees at all levels. A systematic approach that includes hazard identification and risk assessment, and procedures for controlling and monitoring them (inspections and investigations) ensures that risks and hazards are identified at the earliest point possible, and that corrections and safety are prioritized. Identifying, controlling, and addressing hazards and risk requires inspections and investigations, for which appropriate training and leadership are necessary. The course emphasizes the necessity of leadership involvement to set the tone for a safety-conscious work culture and provide training to develop and maintain this culture.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

• outline the elements, principles, processes, and workflows in an effective safety management system;
• discuss the importance of leadership and employee involvement in a safety management system;
• discuss the importance of and methods for hazard and risk identification, assessment, and control, and the need for continuous monitoring of a safety management system;
• identify the purpose and outcomes required for workplace inspections and investigations;
• discuss the importance of health and safety training, and the roles of needs assessment and evaluation.

Course Outline

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Safety Management Systems and Principles
• Lesson 2: Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control
• Lesson 3: Inspections and Investigations
• Lesson 4: Training and Leadership

Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on their participation in weekly online discussions (60%) and a comprehensive assignment (40%). To pass the course, students must achieve 60% or more on each of the credit activities.

This four-week course is worth 1 credit of graduate-level study.