Many organizations are still struggling to redefine and optimize their approach to workplace safety and employee wellness.
We're seeing growing demand for health and safety leaders who can balance business objectives with the increasingly complex needs of workers.
From hygiene control to mental health to the unique needs of people working from home: health and safety in today's environment poses a whole new set of challenges.
Striving to enhance your skills and stay ahead of the curve?
This is exactly what we teach in the new Health and Safety Management certificate at Kompass.
This week, we interviewed the instructor, Kylie Boyd to get an inside look at the training.
Kylie has over 17 years of experience in H&S leadership and has taught courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Meet the instructor and find out what this course has to offer.
Q: Kylie, can you share a little about your education and professional background in occupational health and safety?
Kylie: I have a degree in geography and a post-graduate certificate in environmental management.
For 17 years I was a field technologist and project manager in the environmental consulting Industry. Prior to the start of a project, I would develop a site-specific health and safety plan outlining all safety protocols and required PPE.
If specific health and safety training was required, I completed those programs or provided instruction to other workers on the sites.
In addition, I undertook H&S training specific to hazardous waste, quarries, construction sites, confined spaces, and landfills.
I was part of the Health and Safety Committee and completed monthly safety inspections. As part of my consulting work, I completed safety audits at various locations throughout Ontario.
Q: What is your experience as an educator? Have you taught health and safety courses before?
Kylie: For the past six years I have been a health, safety, and wellness college instructor in Ontario. I have developed and updated courses at an undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Q: What key skills do students learn in the Health and Safety Management certificate at Kompass?
Kylie: The Health and Safety Management certificate helps participants hone their leadership skills in several key areas.
We cover ethical decision-making, steps to prevent accidents and incidents, how to create effective loss control/management programs, and how to implement a health and safety management plan.
Q: What kinds of assignments or projects do students complete?
Kylie: Students complete a series of case studies that help them apply the principles we learn to real-life scenarios.
They also do several self-reflection activities, such as developing a personal code of ethics.
Other projects include drawing up a wellness plan and working as a team to develop leadership skills in health and safety.
Participants can tailor these assignments to suit specific health and safety challenges they're facing at work.
Q: Who exactly is the Health and Safety Management course designed for?
Kylie: This course is ideal for someone who has a strong health and safety background and is looking to improve upon leadership skills.
It's also a good fit for professionals in mid to upper management who want to learn how to promote a culture of safety and wellness within their organization.
Q: What are some of the biggest "skill gaps" in the H&S industry right now?
Kylie: Some of the biggest gaps in the industry are leadership in modelling health and safety from the top down.
We often see a disconnect between what employees on the ground need (i.e. wellness) versus the needs of upper management, owners, or boards (i.e. profits and efficiency).
Strong leaders recognize that solid health and safety performance drives business results.
They promote a culture of safety in their organizations and integrate prevention measures into business strategies, processes, and performance measures.
Q: How does one break into the H&S industry and work toward a leadership role?
Kylie: A bachelor's degree isn’t necessarily a must. My background is environmental, and throughout changes in my career, it’s been an area I’ve become proficient in.
A lot of companies have a health and safety and environment person, or it could be the guy on the floor who volunteers to do safety audits. In some places, H&S is also handled by human resources.
There is a lot of training available and health & safety is a broad field. Each company has different requirements. There are many ways to enter the industry and advance your career.
Learn more about the new Health and Safety Management certificate
The Health and Safety Management certificate is delivered online for maximum flexibility. Courses can be spread over 10 to 20 weeks.
Training focuses on key areas of H&S leadership, including:
☑️ Accident Prevention, Loss Control, Occupational Health, and Safety Management Systems
☑️ Occupational Health and Safety Risk and Decision Making
☑️ Health and Safety Ethics and Professional Practice
☑️ Leadership and the Occupational Health and Safety Professional
☑️ Workplace Health and Well-Being
Students can tailor some assignments around the specific OHS challenges they're facing at work and brainstorm strategies with peers during online discussions.
Click below to explore the certificate in more detail and chat live with an admissions advisor. Classes start weekly.
