PUB HLTH 4313 - Environmental and Occupational Health

Course Details

Course Code	PUB HLTH 4313
Course	Environmental and Occupational Health
Coordinating Unit	Public Health
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Restrictions	Only available to students enrolled in BHlthMedSc(Hons)
Assessment	Assignments

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Sharyn Gaskin

Course Coordinator: A/Prof Sharyn Gaskin
Phone: +61 8313 4957
Email: sharyn.gaskin@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Adelaide Exposure Science and Health laboratory, Thebarton campus

Student & Program Support Services Hub
Email: askhealthsc@adelaide.edu.au
Phone: +61 8313 0273

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Describe the nature of environmental health hazards and the ways in which they impinge upon communities and occupational groups.
2	Outline the types of factors that influence the distribution of health disorders, within an exposed population.
3	Explain “risk” as a central concept in describing, evaluating and managing EOH problems.
4	Describe the roles and relationships of key disciplines (including epidemiology, toxicology, occupational and environmental hygiene and ergonomics) in the prevention, investigation and management of EOH problems.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-4
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	2, 3
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	4
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	N/A
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1, 4
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	N/A
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	N/A
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	4

Required Resources

Specific readings and learning resources will be provided on MyUni.

Recommended Resources

1. Department of Health and Aging, enHealth Council (2012) Environmental Health Risk Assessment – Guidelines for Assessing Human Health Risks from Environmental Hazards (Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra) – downloadable.

2. Reed S, Pisaniello D, Benke G. (2020) Principles of Occupational Health and Hygiene – An Introduction. 3rd edn. Allen and Unwin, ISBN 9781760528508. Available via Booktopia (or 2nd edn available in the Barr Smith Library).

Online Learning

This course uses the MyUni learning management system. Here you will see announcements, instructions and content
related to the course as well as Discussion Boards where you will submit tutorial responses and conduct discussions with your fellow students.

Learning & Teaching Modes

This couse can be delivered in dual mode, as required. In person sessions will be available to those who can attend. The course will also run online with much of the contact you have with fellow students and staff via MyUni. You will be assigned to an online discussion group to which you will submit your answers to tutorial questions. Following submission of your assignment there is a period where you will have the opportunity to read, and provide constructive comment, on the work of your fellow Discussion Group members. Participants in this course have a wide range of backgrounds and this is your opportunity to gain an insight into different problem-solving perspectives (and remember your contribution is assessable).

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that, for this course, you are expected to commit approximately 12 hours per week to private study.

Lectures, demonstrations and field activities for locally-based students may be offered during the Semester, as a supplement to the online learning. Students are encouraged to attend where possible.

Learning Activities Summary

This course includes a series of supplementary lectures offered for locally-based students who are able to attend in person, and streamed for those online.

The course is set up in two major sections, namely occupational health (4 modules) and environmental health (3 modules). Each section includes two tutorials and one assignment which are to be submitted online by the due date.

The tutorials are submitted into the relevant Classroom (Electronic Discussion Board). Your commentary on other participants’ assignments is also submitted to the Discussion Board. You will note that from the due date for lodgement of each assignment, a further period is allowed for you to make commentary on what other participants have said.

You can also conduct informal discussion with other participants in online Cafeteria. Submissions to the Cafeteria are not assessable.

MODULE 1 - OHS MANAGEMENT, LEGISLATION & DISEASE CAUSATION
MODULE CONTENT
Hazard Management; Disease Causation; OHS Legislation

MODULE 2 – CHEMICAL HAZARDS
MODULE CONTENT
Hazardous Substances; Health Surveillance and Biological Monitoring

MODULE 3 – PHYSICAL HAZARDS
MODULE CONTENT
Occupational Noise; Ionising Radiation; Non Ionising Radiation; Heat stress

MODULE 4 – SPECIAL TOPICS
MODULE CONTENT
Musculoskeletal Disease ; Occupational Stress; Health and Wellbeing in the workplace

MODULE 5 – INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT (EHRA)
MODULE CONTENT
Introduction to EHRA

MODULE 6 – CORE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
MODULE CONTENT
Air Quality; Food Quality; Water Quality; Infectious Disease

MODULE 7 – SPECIAL TOPICS
MODULE CONTENT (to be confirmed) Waste Management ; Soil Contamination; Global Environmental Health; Climate change

Specific Course Requirements

N/A

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Assessment Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Tutorial Occupational Health Quiz	Summative Summative	20% 10%	1- 4 1, 2

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Tutorial Environmental Health Quiz	Summative Summative	20% 10%	1-4 1,2
Major Occupational or Environmental Health Assignment	Summative	30%	1-4
Participation	Formative &Summative	10%	1-4

Assessment Related Requirements

Tutorials
The tutorials provide an opportunity to respond to challenging questions and to comment on the responses of other students. You are encouraged to make comments - indeed you are required to make comments during the semester.

SUBMITTING YOUR RESPONSE TO THE TUTORIAL QUESTIONS:
Your responses are to be submitted as a Word document attachment uploaded to the relevant discussion board on MyUni. It is advisable to write some free text commentary or preface to your submission in the text box. You can download other student’s responses by clicking on the relevant attachment relating to the individual response.

The comments that you make on other students work can be typed directly into the text box unless you wish to attach some supporting information.

NOTE: Please label the attachment as student name tutorialnumber.doc (e.g. FredSmithtutorial1.doc), and don’t forget to put your name on the document itself. Please do not submit PDF documents.

The tutorial topics relate to:

1. AGEING WORKFORCE

2. MIGRANT WORKFORCE

3. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT

4. INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The questions will be suitable for high level discussion and adult learning. They will draw upon the experiences and perspectives of the students and staff.

Word length: about 500 words (no more than 600)

Assessment Detail

Major Assignments:
There is one major assignments, and you get to choose the topic either for Occupational Health or for Environmental Health. Assignments relate to a topic of your choice, but you must use the Occupational Health Hazard management paradigm in addressing the first topic and the Environmental Health Risk Assessment paradigm in addressing the second topic.

The EnHealth 2012 document provides a very detailed description of the paradigm for Environmental Health Risk Assessment.

1. GUIDELINES for the Major Assignment in Occupational Health (30%)

Using the OHS management framework presented in the first half of this course and the skills learnt in the tutorials, the task is to report on a hazard in a workplace of your choice. If you have a part time job, you might want to relate this assignment to your workplace.
If you cannot easily visit a workplace, please contact the coordinator, who will assign a workplace or workplace topic for you.

The assignment should consist of:

(i) A brief description of the industry, processes, tasks, equipment and workgroup (up to 500 words).

(ii) An overview of the nature of the hazard and the potential health effects which may arise from exposure, as described in the scientific literature. (up to 500 words)
You should outline the strategy you adopted in searching the literature (up to 200 words)

(iii) How the risk is assessed. (up to 500 words)

(iv) The practicalities of controlling the hazard. (up to 500 words)

(v) A critical overview of the problem e.g. In your opinion, are problems such as these being assessed and managed adequately at present? What research, if any, is called for? (up to 300 words)

(vi) References. Presented in standard format. e.g. Author, Date.

The written presentation is aimed to test your report-writing skills. It should not exceed 2500 words in length (excluding the references). Inclusion of photographs and diagrams is encouraged but is not compulsory (some workplaces may not permit photos to be taken). Jargon should be kept to a minimum but where necessary, should be thoroughly explained.

If you have any doubts as to whether your choice is appropriate please discuss your proposed topic with the course coordinator.

Important: This assignment is designed to promote your understanding of how to search the scientific literature, interpret exposure levels in relation to standards and how to write a report of a professional standard. It is expected that students will have conducted a search using Medline (PubMed) or Scopus.

OR

2. GUIDELINES for the Major Assignment in Environmental Health (30%)

Using the Environmental Health Risk Assessment framework presented in the second half of this course and an environmental health issue of your choice, provide:

(i) A brief description of environmental health issue (up to 600 words).

(ii) An overview of the nature of the hazard and the potential human health effects which may arise from exposure, as described in the scientific literature (up to 600 words). You should outline the strategy you adopted in searching the literature (up to 200 words)

(iii) How the risk is assessed. (up to 500 words).

(iv) The practicalities of controlling the risk and managing the hazard. (up to 600 words).

(v) References.

You should structure the report along the lines of the Risk Paradigm presented in the enHealth EHRA report, i.e. Issue & Hazard Identification, Exposure Assessment, Risk Characterization, Risk Management and Communication.

Expected length: 2500 words.

If you have any doubts as to whether your choice of environmental health issue is appropriate please discuss your proposed topic with the course coordinator.
Note: There is no need for any field visits.

Submission

Major assignments should be submitted electronically to the Course Coordinator, or as otherwise instructed. You should retain a copy of the assignment submitted. Assignments will not be accepted by other means unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Policy on Lateness and Extensions
The Discipline of Public Health reserves the right to refuse to accept an assignment that is more than 7 days late. Please adhere to the set dates for submitted work to facilitate class discussion and feedback.
Extensions must be requested, at the latest, by the last working day before the due date of submission. They will generally be granted only on medical and genuine compassionate grounds. Only the course coordinator, or a person authorised by him or her, may grant extensions.

Lateness: marks will be deducted when assignments for which no extension has been granted are submitted late.Marks will be deducted from the mark (awarded on merit) at the rate of 5% per day.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty that amounts to theft or fraud. It is the unacknowledged use of the thoughts or writings of another person, as if they are one's own. This may occur as a result of deliberate misuse of another person's work, or through ignorance or inexperience about the correct way to acknowledge other work. Plagiarism includes presenting information or paraphrasing ideas from books, articles, etc. or other students' work, without clear identification of the source through proper use of referencing; and quoting directly from a source, without indicating that it is a direct quote.
This is considered an extremely serious matter, which may lead to failure of an assignment, or even suspension from University.

The 成人大片 has a policy on plagiarism that can be viewed at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/plagiarism/students/
You should be aware that any of your submitted assessment work may be submitted for electronic checking of plagiarism. Turnitin (http://www.turnitin.com) is an online plagiarism prevention service. You should check your drafts of your major assignments via Turnitin (see the Assignments section on MyUni), prior to submission.

Policy on Unsatisfactory Progress
Unsatisfactory Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/1803/

Guidance on length of assignments:
Although we encourage students to submit assignments that demonstrate their understanding of the topic, the length of assignments should be within the expected word length. Being succinct is an important skill. A penalty of 10% of the mark (awarded on merit) may apply in the case of an obvious breach of this guidance.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail	A mark between 1-49	F
Third Class	A mark between 50-59	3
Second Class Div B	A mark between 60-69	2B
Second Class Div A	A mark between 70-79	2A
First Class	A mark between 80-100	1
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

On the basis of student feedback, more face to face sessions will be provided, along with the opportunity for field visits and other practical activities.

This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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