Master in Occupational Safety and Health

Public and private-sector organizations throughout the world are increasingly concerned with improving occupational safety and health (OSH). In both developed and developing countries, the rapid pace of technological change, combined with the persistence of unsafe or environmentally hazardous working conditions, has served to focus attention on the need to create safe, healthy working environments and promote a new safety culture in the workplace. Organizations are increasingly seeking OSH professionals who can catalyze these processes, and it is not always easy to find professionals with the right skills.

Becoming a safety and health professional requires multidisciplinary training. The OSH profession calls for a broad-based educational background, including specialized knowledge of the physical sciences (medicine, physics, chemistry, and engineering) and the social sciences (behaviour, motivation, and communication), together with an understanding of the principles and concepts of management. Accordingly, the University of Turin, Italy, in partnership with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), the International Labour Office (ILO), and the International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH), is offering a Master in Occupational Safety and Health.

Accordingly, the University of Turin, Italy, in partnership with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), is offering a Master's course in Occupational Safety and Health. This one-year programme, to be held in English, includes an Internet-based distance learning phase, a face-to-face residential period on the ITCILO’s campus in Turin, followed by another distance phase for the preparation of the dissertation.

The proposed programme combines the advantages of the academic experience of Turin University in OSH with the ITCILO’s international training experience. An international approach has been applied to the contents and the methodology development, as well as to the composition of the training team.

This programme is addressed to participants from both developing and developed countries, who will thus have an opportunity to share their different and valuable experiences. Furthermore, it also offers a range of learning situations in which participants can enhance their analytical and problem-solving skills

OSH professionals need a multidisciplinary background to successfully operate in the broad field of OSH, therefore the programme incorporates training sessions on all of the topics and disciplines relevant to OSH. The training focuses not only on OSH issues but also on the development of organizational, managerial and interpersonal skills. Study visits to 13 different productive settings are planned to offer direct interaction with experts in the field.

Diploma

A first level Master's diploma from the University of Turin (60 certified university credits) will be awarded to those participants who fulfil all the following conditions:

• Satisfy the administrative and documentary requirements of the University of Turin;
• Satisfy the attendance requirements. (Attendance at all training sessions during the residential phase is compulsory. Only participants with at least 95% attendance of training sessions will be entitled to apply for the diploma);
• Submit the assignments within the set deadline and maintain the quality requirements;
• Pass the prescribed examinations demonstrating the level of competence required by the Scientific Committee 1

1 Participants who do not satisfy the mentioned conditions will receive a certificate of attendance.

The Master has been specifically designed for hygienists, physicians, chemists, engineers, inspectors, practitioners, and officers, with a university degree but without a previous specialization in OSH, who are working, or wish to work, as OSH specialists.

The Master course will have three phases, one consisting of 19 weeks of online distance learning, another consisting of 11 weeks of residential training at the ITCILO campus in Turin, Italy, and a final distance phase of 26 weeks for the preparation of the dissertation.

1st Phase: Preparatory Internet-based distance learning (550 hours)

This phase includes 370 hours for self-studying and exercises and 180 hours for preparing and submitting the assessments.

Participants will have access to an online platform through which they will learn individually. They will receive support from tutors with expertise in the subject matter; participate in a forum, use the documentation center, and network.

Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals and basic concepts of OSH through the following eight modules:

• Module A1: Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health
• Module A2: Occupational Safety
• Module A3: Occupational Hygiene
• Module A4: Occupational Medicine
• Module A5: Occupational Psychosociology and Ergonomics
• Module A6: Organization of OSH at the National Level
• Module A7: Participatory Approaches for the Improvement of Working Conditions
• Module A8: Organization of OSH at the Enterprise Level

This phase is preparatory. It will enable participants with different levels and fields of knowledge to reach an adequate and homogeneous level to take advantage of the residential phase.

2nd Phase: Residential phase of Turin (550 hours)

This phase will include classroom training (315 hours), study visits to selected enterprises and related training sessions (125 hours), and 110 hours of assessment.

Instructors will use lectures, discussions, exercises, and other interactive learning activities to strike a balance between theory and practice and to stimulate discussion among the participants and professors. A practical approach based on the analysis and resolution of OSH issues will be taken.
The contents are split into 11 topics (one for each week). The modules in this phase are:

• Module 1: Safety Techniques
• Module 2: Management Competences
• Module 3: Major Hazard Control
• Module 4: OSH Management Systems
• Module 5: Physical Agents
• Module 6: Occupational Hygiene Techniques
• Module 7: Occupational Toxicology and Medicine
• Module 8: Ergonomics
• Module 9: Psychosocial Factors and Health Promotion
• Module 10: Teaching Skills
• Module 11: Organization and Management

3rd Phase: Preparation of Master thesis (400 hours)

Participants will work individually in their country for the preparation of their Master's thesis, assisted at a distance by tutors and professors with OSH expertise.

General Objective

Develop the required competencies for effectively managing safety and health in the workplace.

Specific Objectives

At the end of the master's program, participants will be able to:

• Organize the efforts of an enterprise to improve its OSH.
• Formulate, implement, and evaluate a safety and health management system for an enterprise, incorporating essential OSH concepts and fundamental techniques of OSH management.
• Manage the resources to conduct all prevention activities that are required in an OSH management system.
• Advise employers and workers on the OSH technical requirements of OSH and on the decisions to be made for adequate management of the OSH.

Why Study at the TSD?

The Turin School of Development (TSD) is a leading international institution in the field of development cooperation, it offers a unique learning environment that combines academic rigor with practical experience.

Why choose the TSD?

There are many reasons to choose the TSD for your graduate studies. Here are just a few:

• Academic excellence: The TSD is a leading international institution with a reputation for academic excellence.
• Practical experience: The TSD offers a unique learning environment that combines academic rigor with practical experience.
• Expert faculty: Our faculty are renowned experts in their fields, with extensive experience in research, teaching, and policy-making.
• Global network: The TSD has a strong alumni network that spans the globe.
• The Campus: The TSD campus is located in a beautiful and safe area of Turin. The campus is home to a variety of amenities, including tennis courts, volleyball courts, a soccer field, and a gym. The campus is also close to a variety of restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions.

The TSD is a great place to study if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding academic experience. The TSD offers a unique learning environment that combines academic rigor with practical experience. The TSD also has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and welcomes students from all backgrounds.