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OSH30010

Academic Year 2026/2027

Safety and Health Legislation (OSH30010)

Subject:
Occupational Safety&Health
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Alison Connolly
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module provides an opportunity for understanding the legislative environment, current statutory requirements and important developments in legislation relating to safety and health in the workplace at both Irish and European Union levels.



About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students will be able to:

Demonstrate a good sense of health and safety legislation and its adaptability to guide safety and health at work;

Discuss the operation of the Irish and European legal system as it applies to safety and health at work;

Analyse the distinctions between civil liability and criminal liability;

Identify the principal features of the legislation on safety and health at work, including enforcement procedures;

Recognise the dynamics of change in the law, influenced in particular by EU and international developments;

Apply legislative requirements to preventive and protective methodologies in the control of occupational risks;

Demonstrate ability to keep up-to-date with changes in legislation.

Indicative Module Content:

Module introduction / Assignment instructions,
Introduction to the Irish Legal System, Introduction to Irish and EU Law, Irish OSHA, Specific OH&S Considerations in Irish Law, The Role of the HSA, OSH Legislation and Regulation, Civil and Criminal Liability, GDPR for OSH Practitioners

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Novice

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Competent

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Advanced Beginner

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Advanced Beginner

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Advanced Beginner

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Novice

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Novice

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Online Learning

2
Total

126

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; critical writing; enquiry & problem-based learning; case-based learning.


An AI Statement of Use is provided with this module, which explicitly outlines the permitted and forbidden uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for this module.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Safety and Health Legislation (SHWW30010)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): OSH Legislation Assignment Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Exam (In-person): MCQ Examination End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Student will receive a provisional individual grade in Brightspace within 20 working days of the submission date of the assignment (A, B, C etc. as per UCD grade descriptors). The grade will contribute to the student final’s grade for the module. Each student will receive an assignment feedback sheet on Brightspace.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Conor Buggy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 11:00 - 12:50
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