Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a broad industry, which focuses on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of people at work. 

This field includes all aspects of worker health. From workplace harassment to fire prevention; ergonomics to emergency evacuation procedures. 

The Canadian occupational health and safety (OHS) industry is filled with certifications, designations, health and safety diplomas and degrees. 

If you’re new to the field, navigating all these different credentials can be really challenging. For example, in the field of health and safety, there are key differences between a certificate and a certification, and between a certification and a designation. 

Some safety jobs require at least a bachelor degree, some need a masters, while others call for only a certificate or diploma.

If you’re considering alternatives to a 4-year health and safety degree, you may be looking into college-level health and safety programs. In this case, understanding your path to certification is crucial. 

This is a good time to begin a career in occupational health and safety (OHS). We’re seeing growing demand for OHS professionals across Canada. What’s driving growth in this field? 

Every year, thousands of Canadians suffer injuries or lose their lives at work. Unsafe work environments are a major problem, not just in construction but across many sectors of our economy. 

Considering becoming a health and safety officer? These professionals play a key role in preventing workplace accidents, injuries, and deaths. 

Every employer in Canada must follow health and safety laws to ensure workers are protected while performing their duties. 

Health and safety officers help enforce these laws by performing audits and inspections. They also work closely with companies to identify risks, deliver safety training, and investigate accidents. 

If you want to work in this field, you need comprehensive training that leads to national certification by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP). 

Your first step? Selecting a quality health and safety training program. 

All across Canada, we're seeing steady employment growth in occupational health and safety. Rising concern over workplace accidents, injuries, and disability claims are creating jobs in this field.

There is also a strong focus on food safety and environmental protection—which have increased demand for inspectors, training providers, and risk management specialists.

This is the domain of the occupational health and safety officer. Curious about training and careers in this field?

Andrew Pugachev, Occupational Health & Safety instructor, Herzing College Winnipeg

In 2017, almost 1000 Canadians died on the job. That's an increase of 46 people from the previous year.  And 23 of those workers were very young—between the ages of 15-24 (Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada)

Earlier this year, the CBC reported that these numbers don't even come close to reflecting the true extent of work-related deaths in Canada.

Have you ever suffered an injury at work? Was the cause a faulty piece of equipment, or unsafe work space?

Every year, thousands of Canadians report job-related illness and injury—and in 2016, 905 people lost their lives because of unsafe working conditions (26 were young workers between the ages of 15 and 24).

But these numbers reflect just a portion of all cases, many of which go unreported. And then there are the families, co-workers, and friends who suffer trauma when a loved-one is injured or killed on-the-job.

The repercussions of unsafe workplaces ripple through our communities, changing lives forever.