Professional Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
職業健康及安全專業文憑/文憑 (PDPOHS)

Introduction

The “Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and Regulations” enacted in 1997 emphasizes the share of responsibilities between employers and employees in achieving occupational health and safety in the workplace. The Professional Diploma programme (PPDOHS) aims to develop professional knowledge in occupational health and safety related to daily working environments. The Diploma programme (PDPOHS) is an intermediate award particularly designed for those who are interested in knowing more about the field of occupational health and safety.

Programme Information
Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of PDPOHS Diploma in OHS, students should be able to :

• Identify general health and safety problems within their workplace;
• Evaluate the degree of complexity of health and safety problems;
• Formulate abatement programmes to tackle health and safety problems;
• Assist senior management in the establishment of a health and safety policy; and
• Design, implement and evaluate a health and safety management system.

Upon completion of PPDOHS Professional Diploma in OHS, in addition to the outcomes above, students should be able to :

• Develop professional knowledge and maintain competence in occupational health and safety related to daily working environments; and
• Enhance their personal and professional development in Occupational Health and Safety.

Programme Features

• The first and largest OHS diploma programme in Hong Kong;
• Graduates of PPDOHS Professional Diploma in OHS and PDPOHS Diploma in OHS with relevant working experience are eligible to apply for registration as a “Registered Safety Officer” in Hong Kong;
• Graduates of PPDOHS Professional Diploma in OHS are eligible to apply for Technical Member (TechIOSH) or Associate Member (AIOSH) of IOSH, UK;
• Individual courses are also suitable for experienced staff for satisfying the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Officers and Safety Supervisors) Regulations.

Target Audience

• Those who have responsibilities to implement occupational health and safety in an organization, or have personal interest in occupational health and safety;
• Those who are interested in obtaining the “Registered Safety Officer” status and further study opportunities in occupational health and safety;
• Those Registered Safety Officers who need to meet the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.

Professional Recognition

• RSO : Upon completion of the programmes, graduates with relevant working experience are eligible to apply for registration as Registered Safety Officers (RSO) in Hong Kong.
• TechIOSH : PPDOHS Professional Diploma in OHS graduates with at least 5 years of health and safety experience are eligible to apply for the membership of TechIOSH, UK*.
• AIOSH : PPDOHS Professional Diploma in OHS graduates are eligible to apply for the membership of AIOSH, UK*.
• Student Member of IOSH: PPDOHS Professional Diploma in OHS and PDPOHS Diploma in OHS students are eligible to apply for Student Member of IOSH*.
• CNE : Graduates will be awarded up to 90 CNE points under the Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) system of the Hong Kong Nursing Council.
• CPD: Individual courses are suitable for experienced individuals in satisfaction of CPD requirements under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Officers and Safety Supervisors) Regulations.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are normally required to meet either one of the following requirements:

Level 2 in 5 HKDSE subjects, (including English Language and Chinese Language); or

Satisfactory completion of Diploma Yi Jin; or

Satisfactory completion of a QF Level 3 Diploma or an equivalent programme, for example, Diploma of Foundation Studies awarded by Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), or by a post-secondary institution in Hong Kong; or

by a post-secondary institution in Hong Kong; or

Other acceptable equivalent qualifications (including non-local qualifications obtained in or outside HK, or other qualifications/experience deemed to be equivalent) or

Mature applicants aged 21 or above with 3 years of relevant working experience.

Direct Entry for PPDOHS Professional Diploma in OHS : Holders of a QF Level 4 recognized Diplomas in Occupational Health and Safety by Labour Department which fulfilled the Academic Qualifications required for the Registration as Safety Officers (RSO) under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Officers and Safety Supervisors) Regulations of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance are eligible for direct admission to PPDOHS Professional Diploma in OHS with a block exemption of 5 courses.