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OSH40230

Academic Year 2026/2027

Health and Safety Management (OSH40230)

Subject:
Occupational Safety&Health
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
7.5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Derval Cumiskey
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to the principles of risk management, in the context of occupational safety and health, and to the systematic management of occupational safety and health, including the development and implementation of effective systems to reduce the risk of injury and loss.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students will have demonstrated their ability to:

Demonstrate a high level of knowledge about, and the evidence base for, health and safety management systems and their constituent components, such as: safety policy development and implementation, planning, methods of communication and consultation, reactive and proactive performance measurement systems, and auditing and review systems in OSH.

Demonstrate familiarity with relevant literature and legislation.

Critically analyse systems in current use.

Sustainable Development Goal Alignment:

The learning outcomes of this module are consistent with achieving the objectives of SDG 3 Good Health and SDG 8 Decent Work from an occupational health and wellbeing perspective.

The learning outcomes of this module are consistent with achieving the objectives of SDG 4 Quality Education as this module contributes to fostering an inclusive and equitable education that promotes lifelong learning for all.

Indicative Module Content:

Risk Assessment Processes, Methods and Tools
OSH Communication Practices
OSH Safety Management Systems
Emergency Management
International initiatives in OSH

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. Proficient

Critical Thinking

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

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Proficient

Strategic

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

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. Proficient

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. Proficient

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Advanced Beginner

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. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 5

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 5

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 5
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

40
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Lectures

36
Online Learning

4
Total

160

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Face to face lectures
Recorded E-lectures
Live Online E-lectures
Online specified learning activities
Autonomous learning
Learning through assessment

All OSH modules utilise Harvard Referencing for all student assessment. Please access the Harvard Referencing Guidelines produced by the UCD Library on the UCD Library Website.

As per the UCD Plagiarism Policy, the Module Coordinator has determined that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Software (e.g. Chat GPT) is not permitted for use in the completion of assessment in this OSH module. If a student does use such software and it is detected, it will be considered as plagiarism. Only if the Module Coordinator explicitly specifies on assessment instructions that AI is permitted is there an exception to AI being used.

The use of software to support writing development (e.g. Grammarly) is permitted and is not considered plagiarism. If students need writing support they should contact the UCD Writing Skills Centre.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Risk Assessment Critique Week 8 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Preliminary Risk Assessment Optioneering Week 14 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 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 - 2 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?

Individual feedback will provided alongside provisional grades within 20 working days of submission on Brightspace.

Module reading list is provided in Brightspace.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Conor Buggy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Alison Connolly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Derval Cumiskey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Kieran McKenna Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Penpatra Sripaiboonkij Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 0 Fri 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 14:00 - 16:50
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