Supplemental Curriculum and Learning Objectives

Each supplemental module is two hours or more in length. The completion of the core curriculum and a minimum of three supplemental modules is required for certification as a WOSH Specialist.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Total time: 2 hours

  1. Describe the differences between HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS and how workers can be exposed to these viruses through blood and other body fluids.

  2. Describe appropriate universal precautions to protect against exposure, including the most efficient and safest way to dispose of sharps in the workplace.
  3. Tell a co-worker what s/he should do if s/he may have been exposed to any of these viruses through sharps' (i.e., needles, scalpels, broken glass) sticks/cuts or when a person's blood or body fluid has entered their body in some way.
  4. Identify strategies for how to protect workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as HBV, HCV and HIV/AIDS.
  5. Optional for health care settings: Conduct an assessment of their workplace in regards to bloodborne pathogens using the Cal-OSHA Exposure Plan Checklist so they can determine areas that need improvement.
Chemical Hazards and Hazard Communication

Total time: 2 hours

  1. Identify three ways chemicals can enter the body.
  2. Explain the differences between acute and chronic health effects and how different chemicals affect different body organs.
  3. Discuss five key factors that can influence whether a person gets sick from chemical exposures (the concept of dose/response).
  4. Explain four key requirements under Cal/OSHA's Hazard Communication standard.
  5. Identify two basic sources of chemical information in the workplace: 1) Labels and 2) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
  6. Practice evaluating information found in different sections of an MSDS and the strengths and limitations of MSDS's.
  7. List at least two steps that WOSH Specialists can take to address chemical hazards in the workplace.
Communicating Effectively about Workplace Health and Safety

Total time: 2 hours

  1. Identify at least three elements of effective communication about workplace health and safety.
  2. Identify obstacles to open communication and strategies for overcoming those obstacles.
  3. Describe strategies for creating and presenting an effective case for change.
  4. Practice communicating effectively.

How Adults Learn Best: Sharing Health and Safety Information in the Workplace
Total time: 3 hours

  1. Describe the key steps involved in developing a training program.
  2. Explain how adults learn best.
  3. Discuss at least three types of participatory training methods.
  4. Prepare and deliver a short training session on a specific health and safety topic.
  5. Use a checklist to evaluate a health and safety training session.
Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders: Introduction to Ergonomics

Total time: 2 hours

  1. Identify symptoms that are commonly associated with ergonomic hazards.
  2. Identify at least four risk factors for ergonomic-related disorders.
  3. Analyze a specific job for potential ergonomic-related risk factors.
  4. Describe three ways to eliminate or reduce ergonomic hazards and demonstrate the ability to apply solutions for a specific job.
  5. List the elements of a comprehensive ergonomics program.
  6. List at least two steps that WOSH Specialists can take to address ergonomic hazards in the workplace.
Workplace Health and Safety Committees

Total time: 2 hours

  1. Describe at least four different roles of workplace health and safety committees.
  2. Discuss at least four elements of an effective health and safety committee.
  3. Practice developing and presenting key issues and concerns to committee members.

Planned for future development:

  • Lockout/Blockout/Tagout
  • Fall Prevention
  • Noise/Hearing
  • Violence Prevention
  • Workplace Stress