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OSH40350

Academic Year 2026/2027

Chemical Safety and Toxicology (OSH40350)

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:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module focuses on chemical actions and interactions in the human body and the potential effects of major classes of toxicants to human health. The principles of chemical hazard risk assessment are addressed, and the appropriate control and preventive strategies for hazardous chemicals are introduced. The interaction between OSH practices and environmental licensing and public health impact assessment is introduced.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

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

Apply the principles of toxicology to the identification, assessment, control and management of chemical hazards in the workplace and as appropriate to the larger environment.

Devise appropriate evidence-based control and management strategies to ensure chemical safety in the workplace.

Demonstrate a high level of knowledge of relevant legislation, literature and global and European initiatives aimed at reducing risks in this context.

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:

Introduction to toxicology
Dose Response
Toxic Chemicals
Blood Toxicology
Chemical Risk Assessment
Chemical Transportation and Management
Environmental Licensing
Public health impact assessment

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. Proficient

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

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. Competent

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. Competent

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

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

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. Competent

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. Proficient

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

70
Lectures

36
Online Learning

4
Total

150

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

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): Chemical Risk Assignment - due to the week after fieldbreak. Week 8 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Toxicology Assignment Week 14 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
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided four weeks after submission online via Brightspace.

Module reading list available on Brightspace.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Conor Buggy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Alison Connolly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Derval Cumiskey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Craig Slattery Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 29, 31, 33 Tues 14:00 - 16:50
Spring Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 21 Tues 14:00 - 16:50
Spring Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 32 Tues 14:00 - 16:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
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