The Centre for Labour Studies has recently launched a new Bachelor degree with Honours in Occupational Health and Safety. The course, which attracted 51 students, is offered on a part-time basis over a period of five years.
Co-ordinated by Mr Luke Fiorini, the programme of studies includes topics related to ergonomics, environmental health, law, health promotion, occupational psychology and toxicology amongst others. This multidisciplinary approach allows students to both appreciate workplaces in a holistic manner and to operate in different Occupational Health and Safety fields.
During the course’s inaugural lecture, The Director of the Centre for Labour Studies, Dr Anna Borg, welcomed the students. These were then addressed by Prof Godfrey Baldacchino, chairperson of the Centre for Labour Studies and by Hon Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties. Minister Dalli reiterated the need for more professionals to work in this sector and the importance of this Bachelor course, which evolved from a Diploma that was first offered in 1997. Professor Baldacchino referred to the rich inter-disciplinarity of this course, with a robust combination of health and social science topics.
The Bachelor in Occupational Health and Safety is also an accredited course by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) as meeting the academic requirements for graduate membership. Based in the United Kingdom, IOSH is the largest Health and Safety membership organisation in the world with 44,000 members in over 120 countries.