Your guide to becoming an occupational safety and health officer

We’ve often heard that old familiar adage, Safety First. Many people probably don’t pay as much heed to it as they should, but to the rest of us, safety is of primary importance. Because without the assurance of safety, our lives and the lives of those around us are put at risk. And the consequences could be fatal. And we’re only talking about safety under ordinary circumstances.

In the construction industry, where we’re dealing with massive machines, heavy materials, tall structures and large manpower, danger lurks everywhere, and safety is crucial and must never be compromised. Any fault or failure in the construction industry not only costs companies millions in materials and time, but also drastic legal repercussions for them and also for the government.

This is why qualified and certified Occupational Health and Safety Officers are in great demand everywhere, as well as being on Malaysia’s Critical Occupations list.

What is Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)?

This is a multi-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health and general welfare of people in the workplace. OSH is a field of public health that studies trends in illnesses and injuries in the worker population and proposes and implements strategies to improve workplace conditions and prevent untoward incidents from happening, not only preserving lives but also optimising workplace conditions for the betterment of all involved.

Why is OSH important for workplaces everywhere?

It should go without saying that without safety, good health and general well-being cannot exist. OSH officers work to foster and ensure safe a working environment, to prevent accidents from happening in the workplace, and to protect everyone who has a stake in the workplace. This is a non-exhaustive list and includes stakeholders from employees to employers, from clients and customers of all sorts to the families of all the above, and extends to the community in general.

What opportunities are available for graduates of SEGi College Kuala Lumpur’s Diploma in OSH?

With our Diploma in OSH, you can be in the running for some of the most important jobs in construction and an endless list of other industries such as manufacturing; agriculture, forestry and fishing; mining and quarrying; utilities such as oil and gas, electricity, water and sanitary services; transport, storage and communications, and the list goes on. No surprises here because safety and health are essential to everyone everywhere. To top that off, you are also eligible for further studies towards a Bachelor’s degree, in a career pathway such as from site-safety supervisor to hygiene consultant to OSH consultant to risk assessors (for which you’ll need to attend and pass the course to this level of expertise).

What are the steps to become a registered Occupational Safety and Health Officer in Malaysia?

To become a full-fledged registered OSH Officer, you will be required to attend recognised safety and health courses and pass the National Institute of Safety and Health SHO examination, then acquire three years of experience in OSH, and finally pass an interview by the Malaysian Department of Occupational Safety and Health. Not difficult at all!

What does being a “Green Book Holder” mean?

Green Book Holders are certified competent SHOs who are in great demand everywhere. Their contributions are sought after in almost every single industry!

Is SEGi College Kuala Lumpur’s Diploma in OSH recognised by JPA (the Malaysian Public Services Department), DOSH (the Department of Health and Safety), MQA (the Malaysian Qualifications Agency)?

SEGi College Kuala Lumpur’s Diploma in OSH is recognised by all these authorities. The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) is a government organisation set up by law, with statutory authority all over the country. The MQA/FA1779 programme is a legitimate one set up by MQA, and students can apply SPA and any job position in the government sector that is on par with the diploma level, while graduates wait for the process to get approved and recognised by the DOSH.

Conclusion

Safety and health are important every day, everywhere. And in these days of a worldwide pandemic, people everywhere are paying even more attention to the importance of OSH officers. This occupation will never be discounted or unappreciated because it will never run out of favour or importance. In fact, in these uncertain times, OSH Officers are acknowledged as fundamental and indispensable experts in their field.

Call us today at +60129887482 and we’ll get you on your way to becoming some of the most desired OSH experts in the world today!

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