UTech offers region's first BSc in occupational health and safety

The Government of Jamaica Occupational Health and Safety Act (2002) mandates all industries to establish and comply with occupational health and safety measures as legislated. In support of needed academic training in this area and in keeping with international standards set by the World Health Organisation for occupational health and safety, the College of Health Sciences, University of Technology (UTech) will offer the new Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health and Safety beginning at the start of the academic year in September 2010.

The course is the first of its kind in the Caribbean region and complements the College's degree programme in environmental health.

The BSc in occupational health and safety will train specialists to oversee healthy and safe work environments and enforce environmental regulations consistent with occupational health and safety needs. Graduates of the course of study will be qualified for needed professionals as safety officers, occupational hygienists, occupational health professionals and environmental safety officers or jobs in related areas in the public and private sectors in the region.

The course is four years of full-time study and eligible applicants must have five passes at GCE O' level with grades A, B or C or grades 1, 2, 3 at the CSEC level (as of June 1998) in English language, mathematics, biology/human social, chemistry and one other pass in an approved subject.

Application for this programme is currently open. For further information, contact Audrey Hussey, programme director at 948-9057 or email: ehussey@utech.edu.jm.