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Learn safety with online courses and programs

Preventing injury and illness is a top priority in nearly any scenario. Learn more about safety with online courses delivered through edX.

What is safety?

Safety considerations are paramount in both personal and public contexts. This involves identifying and mitigating risks to prevent accidents, injuries, and harm to individuals and communities. Safety practices can encompass workplace safety, transportation safety, home safety, and more. Social work, food safety, humanitarian aid, nutrition, first aid, health policy, workplace safety, and disaster response all fall under the realm of health and safety.

Public health extends this focus to entire populations. It involves analyzing data on disease trends, identifying risk factors, and devising strategies to prevent and manage diseases and injuries at a community or societal level. Public health initiatives include vaccination programs, health policy development, disease surveillance, and health education campaigns.

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Safety course curriculum

Health and safety is a multidisciplinary field that seeks to empower individuals and communities with knowledge, tools, and resources to protect themselves and others. Online courses cover a wide range of topics on practices and measures that promote safety and prevent accidents and injuries in various settings. Some of these may include:

  • Occupational safety: Explore the importance of workplace safety, which can include hazard identification, risk assessment, emergency response procedures, safe work practices, and the proper use of personal protective equipment.

  • Health and safety regulations: Learn about relevant local, national, or international safety regulations and standards, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

  • Environmental safety: Study practices to protect the environment, including waste management, pollution prevention, and sustainability.

  • Ergonomics: Examine ergonomic principles that help people reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries related to repetitive tasks or poor workplace design.

  • Behavior-based safety: Delve into the psychology of safety and how human behavior can influence safety outcomes.

edX offers online courses that allow learners to study a variety of topics including health and wellness, and much more. ‌Leverage a learning format that works best for you. Sign up for an accelerated boot camp or enroll in a full degree program and start working toward a bachelor's degree or (for more advanced learners) a master’s degree in a relevant subject. You can also explore executive education programs specifically designed for busy professionals.

Explore safety jobs

Health and safety professionals can play an important role in various industries and workplaces to ensure the wellbeing of employees, compliance with regulations, and the prevention of accidents and injuries. Some roles and responsibilities can include:

  • Occupational health and safety specialist: Identifies and mitigates workplace hazards. They inspect workplaces, develop safety programs, provide training to employees, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. They may specialize in specific industries such as construction, manufacturing, or healthcare.

  • Environmental health and safety manager: Develops and implements safety policies, conducts risk assessments, and coordinates safety training. They also ensure compliance with environmental regulations related to waste management, emissions, and other environmental concerns.

  • Industrial hygienist: Identifies and controls workplace hazards that can lead to occupational illnesses. They assess exposure to chemicals, toxins, noise, and other workplace hazards, and they recommend measures to reduce or eliminate these risks.

  • Safety engineer: Evaluates machinery, equipment, and manufacturing processes to ensure they meet safety standards. They also design safety features and mechanisms to prevent accidents and injuries.

Are you committed to making your home, workplace, and community a safer place? Build your knowledge in this field with online courses delivered through edX.