Overview
Introduction to occupational health with an emphasis on the prevention of ill health caused by workplace hazards.
Strategic management of health and safety risks in the workplace requires the development of a systematic and analytical approach to assessment. In this paper students develop investigative skills in the detection of chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards. Using the bio-psychosocial model, they develop evidence-based strategies to manage and control health and safety risks.
The graduate will have developed 'hands-on' expertise in the systematic evaluation of occupational health hazards and will be able to formulate a workplace specific health and safety management plan.
About this paper
| Paper title | Occupational Health |
|---|---|
| Subject | Occupational Health |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $3,486.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- OCCX 401
- Limited to
- MHealSc, MPhty, PGCertHealSc, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPhty
- Eligibility
- Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Hazard Assessment and Management must either be graduates or hold an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years of full-time tertiary study. Admission is always subject to the approval of the Board of the Division of Health Sciences, which will require evidence of the candidate's ability to undertake advanced academic study.
- Contact
Occupational Health Administrator: Amara Boyd via occupational.health@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Academic Leader: Judy Currie
- Paper Structure
- The key themes are the systematic evaluation of risks to health and safety in the workplace and the development of an evidence-based management plan.
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching.
A three-day compulsory block weekend workshop in Dunedin (6 to 8 March 2026) and interactive expert-led seminars by video conferencing through Zoom.
- Textbooks
These texts are available to students as an online resource through the University of Otago Library:
Barry S. Levy, David H. Wegman, Sherry L. Baron, Rosemary K. Sokas. Occupational and environmental health - recognizing and preventing disease and injury. (7th Edition). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Vickerstaff S, Phillipson C, Wilkie R (2011) Work, Health and Wellbeing: The challenges of managing health at work. Bristol, Policy Press.
Smedley J; Dick F. Oxford Handbook of Occupational Health. Oxford University Press, Incorporated.
Tar-Ching Aw; Kerry Gardiner; J.M. Harrington. Occupational Health. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
John Hobson; Julia Smedley. Fitness for Work: The Medical Aspects. Ocford University Press.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Learn how to carry out a systematic evaluation of the workplace.
- Be able to assist with the development of an evidence based workplace surveillance programme to make sure that controls are working.
- Know what workers need in the way of education and training, so that they have the knowledge to protect themselves from hazards at work.
- Be informed by up to date evidence, identify "best practice" in occupational health.
- Identify, assess, control and monitor hazards, develop and implement management plans that are ethical, professional and conform to the highest standards of health and safety practice.
Overview
Introduction to occupational health with an emphasis on the prevention of ill health caused by workplace hazards.
Strategic management of health and safety risks in the workplace requires the development of a systematic and analytical approach to assessment. In this paper students develop investigative skills in the detection of chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards. Using the bio-psychosocial model, they develop evidence-based strategies to manage and control health and safety risks.
The graduate will have developed "hands-on" expertise in the systematic evaluation of occupational health hazards and will be able to formulate a workplace-specific health and safety management plan.
About this paper
| Paper title | Occupational Health |
|---|---|
| Subject | Occupational Health |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- OCCX 401
- Limited to
- MHealSc, MPhty, PGCertHealSc, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPhty
- Eligibility
- Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Hazard Assessment and Management must either be graduates or hold an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years of full-time tertiary study. Admission is always subject to the approval of the Board of the Division of Health Sciences, which will require evidence of the candidate's ability to undertake advanced academic study.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Course Instructors:
Dr Rebbecca Lilley
Judy Currie- Paper Structure
- The key themes are the systematic evaluation of risks to health and safety in the workplace and the development of an evidence-based management plan.
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching.
A three-day compulsory block study weekend in Dunedin (12th - 14th March 2027) and interactive expert-led seminars by video conferencing through Zoom.
- Textbooks
The following texts are available to students as online resources through the University of Otago Library:
- Barry S. Levy, David H. Wegman, Sherry L. Baron, Rosemary K. Sokas. Occupational and environmental health - recognising and preventing disease and injury. (7th Edition). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Vickerstaff S, Phillipson C, Wilkie R (2011) Work, Health and Wellbeing: The challenges of managing health at work. Bristol, Policy Press.
- Smedley J; Dick F. Oxford Handbook of Occupational Health. Oxford University Press, Incorporated.
- Tar-Ching Aw; Kerry Gardiner; J.M. Harrington. Occupational Health. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
- John Hobson; Julia Smedley. Fitness for Work: The Medical Aspects. Oxford University Press.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Learn how to carry out a systematic evaluation of the workplace.
- Be able to assist with the development of an evidence-based workplace surveillance programme to make sure that controls are working.
- Know what workers need in the way of education and training, so that they have the knowledge to protect themselves from hazards at work.
- Be informed by up-to-date evidence, identify "best practice" in occupational health.
- Identify, assess, control and monitor hazards, develop and implement management plans that are ethical, professional and conform to the highest standards of health and safety practice.