Occupational Safety and Health
Safety and Health Specialist
About the Safety and Health Specialist Program
In part, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's mission is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women. This means that safety concerns are present in all industries. This has been clear to safety professionals for years, but as the existing workforce begins to approach retirement age there is a potential shortage of qualified workers to replace them.
The Safety and Health Specialist certificate will provide a set of baseline skills in occupational safety and health essential to getting a job in the field, meeting minimum job requirements for current workers and/or advancing a career focused entirely or in part on workplace safety.
Certificate Benefits
With a Safety and Health Specialist certificate, students will gain experience and knowledge in essential occupational safety and health topics include:
- OSHA policies, procedures, and standards, as well as construction and general industry safety and health principles
- An introduction to basic accident investigation procedures and accident analysis techniques resulting in the basic skills necessary to conduct an effective accident investigation at the workplace
- The employer's roles and responsibilities as well as the codes and standards of fire and life safety in the workplace
- An overview of workers compensation requirements and procedures
Target Audience
The program is intended for:
- Students looking to enter into a career in safety (or transitioning from another field, existing military service, etc.)
- Individuals whose current occupations require them to have a solid understanding of safety principles and prevention techniques
Demand and Job Prospects
Certificate holders may qualify for positions such as an Assistant Safety Specialist, Safety Coordinator, or Safety Technician.
Current professionals in the role of Construction Manager/Foreman and supervisors of construction laborers, Warehouse/Distribution Supervisors and others responsible for safety within an organization would also increase their career outlook.
U.S. Department of Labor projections and other industry studies show that through newly created opportunities and positions vacated due to retirement, there is a need for more than 30,000 newly trained workers by 2024.
Required for Completion
Applicants must complete all of the courses for a total of 11.5 units.
Substitutions
No substitutions or transfers are allowed for the SHS program. This program is designed to be easily completed by attending all of the UC San Diego course offerings.
Safety and Health Specialist
Required Courses
You must complete all of the courses for a total of 11.5 units.
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