Occupational Health and Safety Diploma
Learn to find hazards, assess risks, and build the safety programs that protect real workplaces.
BCRSP Recognition
The York College Occupational Health and Safety Diploma is recognized by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) as meeting the formal education eligibility requirement for the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST®) certification. CRST® applicants need 12 months of OHS work experience (at least 35% OHS duties) in the 24 months before applying. The CRST® is the first step on BCRSP’s certification ladder; the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP®) designation has its own education and experience requirements beyond this diploma.
What You’ll Learn
The Occupational Health and Safety Diploma is a comprehensive, career-focused program designed to prepare you for health and safety roles across construction, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and other workplaces throughout Ontario.
You’ll develop practical skills in workplace hazard recognition and risk assessment, the hierarchy of controls, industrial hygiene, emergency preparedness, ergonomics, incident investigation, and safety audits — building and auditing a complete health and safety management system that meets Ontario law.
Is This For You?
This program is designed for:
No prior health and safety qualification is required. The program starts with the fundamentals of Ontario health and safety law and builds to planning, auditing and running a complete safety program for a real workplace. If you’re organized, methodical, and ready to take responsibility for workplace safety, you’re ready.
Internationally trained? Your experience transfers here.
If you’ve worked in engineering, construction, industrial operations, or safety roles outside Canada, this diploma gives you the Canadian-recognized credential that BCRSP uses to assess CRST eligibility. Your field experience counts toward the 12-month CRST experience requirement.
How admission works for internationally trained students →Why This Program
Built for the people who keep workplaces safe.
Health and safety professionals find hazards before they cause harm, keep employers onside with the law, and build the systems that protect everyone on site. This diploma builds that complete skill set — from Ontario legislation and hazard control to audits, management systems and emergency planning.
Build real safety programs
Work through hazard assessment, controls, audits and management systems on a real workplace case — start to finish.
Meet Ontario law with confidence
Apply the Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS and the internal responsibility system the way employers expect.
Build safety programs end to end
Design, implement, and audit workplace safety programs across construction, healthcare, industrial, and office environments.
Study while you work
100% online and self-paced, so you can keep your job while you earn the credential that moves you up.
The nine courses in this program
Each course is 80 hours and taken in order. Together they build a complete health and safety program on a real workplace case — adding one layer at a time.
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1
Occupational Health & Safety Fundamentals
Apply the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS and the internal responsibility system; work with a joint health and safety committee; practise within the BCRSP Code of Ethics.
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2
Workplace Hazard Recognition, Assessment, and Control
Run job hazard analyses, apply the hierarchy of controls, select PPE, and manage high-hazard work such as lockout, confined spaces, hot work and working at heights.
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3
Industrial Hygiene and Workplace Environment
Recognize chemical, physical and biological exposures; set up respiratory protection and hearing conservation programs; handle, store and dispose of chemicals safely.
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4
Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
Build and audit a management system against ISO 45001 and COR; measure performance and drive continual improvement.
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5
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Write emergency response and fire safety plans that meet the National Building and Fire Codes; run drills and post-incident reviews.
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6
Ergonomics and Human Factors
Assess manual handling, workstation and equipment design risks; apply CSA Z412 to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
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7
Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace
Apply the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety; address fatigue, shift work and fitness for work; support disability management and return to work.
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8
Safety Audits and Inspections
Plan and conduct workplace inspections, investigate incidents to root cause, and report findings that lead to action.
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9
Career Management
Present your safety program as a professional portfolio and plan your next steps in the profession.
How the online program works
The program is delivered as structured online learning with self-paced study. You work through each course on your own schedule with video lessons, study guides and practice activities, with instructor support throughout.
How much does the Occupational Health and Safety Diploma cost?
Choose the path that works for you.
Then 9 monthly payments of $500 — zero interest
- York College Access Grant ($3,000) — for all self-funded students, applied at enrolment
- Zero-interest payment plan — no credit check
- No separate application — it’s our commitment to accessible education
- Better Jobs Ontario — the program may be eligible for training support
- Ontario Works & ODSP training support
- WSIB return-to-work — York College is a registered sponsorship provider
- Employer sponsorship — quotes and official receipts provided
- Approval required before enrolment — for Better Jobs Ontario, through an Employment Ontario service provider. The Access Grant cannot be combined with government or WSIB funding.
The self-funded payment plan adds to $4,995 ($495 + 9 × $500). Funded and sponsored students are billed at the published tuition of $7,995.
What’s included in your tuition
Unlimited instructor support
Email instructor whenever you need clarification, feedback, or guidance on course material.
Employer-verifiable digital credential
Your diploma is verifiable online via Accredible and shareable on LinkedIn.
BCRSP-recognized education
Meets the formal education requirement for the CRST® designation.
Courses that open on a set schedule
You always know what’s next; study each course at your own pace.
Admissions and student support
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Plus resume and cover-letter resources.
No textbook or technology fees
You need your own computer and internet connection.
Admission requirements
To be admitted, you need a high school diploma, or to be 18+ with a short online admission test.
How to apply
Apply online
Complete the free online application.
Get accepted
Receive your Letter of Acceptance and sign your enrolment documents.
Choose how you pay
Choose pay-in-full or the payment plan, and start right away.
Most applicants complete these steps within a few days.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Occupational Health and Safety Diploma available online?
How long does the Occupational Health and Safety Diploma take?
Do I need experience in health and safety to apply?
How much does the program cost?
Can I get funding for this program?
Is York College of Applied Studies a registered college?
Funding & Financial Support
ESDC-Certified Institution · Tuition eligible for federal tax credits
Can I get funding to cover the cost of this program?
What is Better Jobs Ontario and do I qualify?
Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career) helps unemployed and low-income Ontarians retrain for in-demand careers. As of January 2026:
- Up to $28,000 for training under 52 weeks (including micro-credentials and certificates)
- Up to $35,000 for 1–2 year programs
- Covers tuition, books, transportation, living allowance, and dependent care
You may qualify if you’ve been laid off, unemployed for 12+ weeks, or are receiving EI, Ontario Works, or ODSP. Eligibility now also includes gig workers, newcomers, and self-employed individuals. All York College programs fall within the eligible duration.
Important: You must be approved through an Employment Ontario service provider before starting your training. Learn more →
What if I don’t qualify for government funding?
You still have options:
- York College Access Grant — automatically reduces self-funded tuition by $3,000
- Employer sponsorship — many employers cover tuition as professional development
- Canada Training Credit — refundable federal tax credit for Canadians 26–65 with earned income (eligible for our short certificates and micro-credentials)
- Tuition Tax Credit — claimable through T2202 for our vocational diploma programs
- Flexible payment plans — start now with a small initial payment
Consult a tax advisor or visit canada.ca for guidance on tax credit eligibility.
Will I receive a T2202 tax form?
York College is certified by Employment and Social Development Canada, so tuition for diploma programs is eligible for the tuition tax credit — you receive a T2202 for your tax return. You’ll receive your T2202 by the end of February following the tax year.
For our short certificate courses and micro-credentials, T2202 forms are not issued due to our on-demand format, but tuition may still qualify for the Canada Training Credit. Please consult a tax advisor or visit canada.ca for guidance.
How do I find out which funding options are available to me?
York College of Applied Studies is registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005, by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, and is certified by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Earn a Verifiable Digital Credential
Note: All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of York College of Applied Studies.
Receive your official digital credential
When you complete the program, you’ll receive a secure, verifiable digital credential issued by York College of Applied Studies. Your credential can be downloaded for your records, shared directly with employers, and added to your LinkedIn and other professional profiles.
Ready to apply?
The application is free and takes about ten minutes. Once we receive it, we will guide you through ID verification, your Letter of Acceptance and your payment option, usually within a week.
Questions? Email admissions@yorkc.ca or call 647-558-7060, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM.
