Module Details

Module Code: ZMGT H4101
Module Title: Environmental Health and Safety
Title: Environmental Health and Safety
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Paula Rankin
Module Author:: Kieran Germaine
Domains:  
Module Description: Providing a healthy and safe work place whilst protecting the environment is now paramount for every business and industry. The aim of this module is to give the student an overview of legislation and management aspects of environment and occupational health and safety related activities.
To give the student an introduction to the main safety issues in the workplace.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Students will be able to discuss current impacts of human activities on the the natural environment and the possible occupational hazards in the work place.
LO2 Students will be able to evaluate regulatory requirements and guidance documents relating to environmental and occupational safety.
LO3 Discuss the process of risk assessment and risk mitigation in relation to environmental and occupational issues
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
The Natural Environment
Ecosystems. Ecosystem functions, Natural capital, Depleting natural resources, Earth equivalence, Environmental degradation, Sustainable development, Circular Economy.
Water Quality
Surface waters/Groundwater/aquifers, Water Framework Directive. Drinking water (Public, group, private supplies), legislation. Industrial and urban waste water: types, treatment, discharge licences and legislation, river and lake assimulative capacity, Responsibilities of EPA, local authorities.
Pollution
Classes of pollution, Chemical (organic - PAHs/PCBs/Dioxins/VOCs/Biocides/Pharmaceuticals, inorganic - nutrients (N-P)/heavy metals), biological (bacteria/viruses/protozoa), physical (light/thermal) Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit 1992. Global warming.
Environmental Liability Directive
Provisions, 'Polluter Pays' principle, Precautionary principle. The Pollution Linkage concept.
Industrial Emissions Directive
Provisions, IPC licences, IPC application process/information, Best Available Technique (BAT), BREF documents, Emission Limit Values (ELV). IPC cases studies (Food and Pharmaceutical industry).
Environmental Impact Assessment
Methodology of EIA/EIS. Regulations. Case studies on major projects. Sustainable development. Public consultation.
Energy
Fossils fuels, environmental impacts (extraction-processing), effects of combustion - atmosphere, GHG-particulate matter, carbon footprint, renewable energy (environmental impacts of solar, hydroelectric, wind, biofuel), Kyoto. Paris 2015. Energy audits.
Waste Management
Waste production statistics, the Waste management heirachy (prevent, reduce, reuse, recycle), Environmental impacts of landfill (odous/leachate/pests/visual), Landfill Directive, Environmental impacts of incineration (technology/dioxins/GHG) Reporting, compliance, Biogradable waste treatment, composting, anaerobic digestion. Other waste legislation (WEE, VoU.).
Environmental Management Systems in Industry
EMS: Componients and implimentation. Environmental quality standards (ISO 14001:2015, Environmental management and audit scheme (EMAS). Legal and other requirements. Evaluation of compliance. Auditing. Eco-labelling.
Health and Safety Legislation:
Common law and statute law, criminal law and civil law, European law. Health, Safety and Welfare Act, 2005; scope of the Act, duties of employers, employees and providers, the Safety statement, hazard identification and risk assessment
Hazardous Chemicals
Toxicity, routes of exposure, Classification of Hazardous Chemicals, Chemical Regulations, Material Safety Data Sheets.
Biological Hazards:
Classification of biological hazards, occupational diseases (zoonosis).
Health Hazards
Noise Induced Hearing Loss, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Asthma, Dermatitis, Stress and Bullying in the workplace
Hazard Management
Occupational Exposure Levels; TWA, STEL, TLV, OES Engineering and other controls of airborne contaminants. Use and limitations of Personal Protection Equipment. Health Surveillance.
Display Screen Equipment
Ergonomics, VDU regulations, health effects, adapting the workstation to minimise adverse effects.
Accidents
Distribution and cause of accidents in different workplaces, accident investigation, accident reporting.
Inspectors
The role of Inspectors and the Health and Safety Authority
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 20
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
1 industry standard report in Environmental Management
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 20
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
1 industry standard report in Occupational Health and Safety
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students must achieve a minimum grade (35%) in the final examination and must achieve a minimum grade (40%) in the combined Final exam and CA.
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 4.00 48
Estimated Learner Hours Non Contact No Description 15 Weeks per Stage 5.13 77
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
This module does not have any book resources
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • C. Colosio, S. Mandic-Rajcevi, L. Godderis, G. van der Laan, C. Hulshof and F. van Dijk. (2017), Workers’ health surveillance: implementation of the Directive 89/391/EEC in Europe, Occupational Medicine, 2017, p.4.
Other Resources
Discussion Note: