Module Title:Environmental Health and Safety
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:8
Module Delivered In 1 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: This module will be taught in lectures of one hour duration four times per week for 15 weeks (60hrs). Classes may take the form of formal lectures or tutorial-type sessions. A range of teaching techniques will be used as appropriate, including discussion of case studies, worksheets, PowerPoint and other presentations. Students will be encouraged to learn through questioning and group discussions. Enquiry driven learning will be encouraged through having additional resources (reports/information/videos) on Blackboard.
Module Aim: 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 should be able to:
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
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.

No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

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
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%
Special Regulation
Students must achieve a minimum grade (35%) in both the CA and final examination
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Written Report 1 industry standard report in Environmental Management 1,2,3 20.00 n/a
Written Report 1 industry standard report in Occupational Health and Safety 1,2,3 20.00 n/a
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam 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. 1,2,3 60.00 End-of-Semester

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

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 4.00
Estimated Learner Hours 15 Weeks per Stage 5.13
Total Hours 125.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_SABTP_B Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biosciences with Biopharmaceuticals 7 Mandatory