- International Fees
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Course Overview
Covers human factors in the scientific study of people at work. Emphasizes strategies and techniques for improving worker safety, health, efficiency, and comfort. Discusses recent trends in the ergonomics field, including the physical working environment, adaptation of tools and the workplace to the worker, equipment design, impacts on productivity, and the importance of involving workers and management in all ergonomics program efforts.
Domestic fees
$282.18 - $887.60 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
- Describe and follow the steps for conducting an ergonomic evaluation and identify tools that can be used to gather or analyse data at each of the steps.
- Describe the key issues in workspace layout that determine optimal positioning of information, materials, and controls. Apply anthropometric data to the design of workstations or equipment.
- Describe the most common types of upper-limb, cumulative-trauma disorders, and their associated risk factors, assessment techniques, and potential solutions.
- Identify and assess risk factors that are present in an office environment, and choose controls appropriate for reducing the level of risk in the workplace.
- Discuss the concept of information processing, and its relevance to ergonomics in the workplace.
- Describe and follow the steps involved in developing and facilitating an ergonomics program in the workplace.
Effective as of Fall 2003
Related Programs
Ergonomics (OCHS 3520) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Health Sciences
- Advanced Safety Management
Certificate Part-time
- Occupational Health and Safety Practitioners
Associate Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2025
Below are two offerings of OCHS 3520 for the Fall 2025 term.
CRN 32949
Dates
Sep 02 - Nov 21 Loading
- CRN 32949
- $887.60 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 02 - Nov 21 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Gina Vahlas
Course outline
Important information
- Guided learning format.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- 7 This is an *** ONLINE *** Distance Education course. Internet access is required. To be successful, plan to spend 10-12 hours per week on your studies, starting Week 1. Tutor support is available by e-mail (or by phone, if pre-arranged). Upon registration, expect to receive a confirmation e-mail entitled “OCHS 3520 - Fall Term - Course Information from BCIT”. Ensure you have an active e-mail address on file with BCIT so you don't miss this important e-mail. COURSE MATERIALS / BOOKSTORE: NO print course materials are required from the Bookstore for this ONLINE course. ACCESS: Available the morning of September 5 (first day of the term). Login via The Learning Hub at: learn.bcit.ca. SPONSORED STUDENTS: Information is available on the BCIT website. For course registration: www.bcit.ca/admission/fees/sponsorship.shtml. For course materials: www.bcit.ca/bookstore/sponsored.shtml. It is recommended that a “Proposed Program” (outlining the entire OH&S 45-credit Certificate) be requested by contacting the Program Head, David Wood at 604-432-8220 / 1-800-663-6542, ext. 8220 or David_Wood@bcit.ca. This “Proposed Program” will assist both sponsor and sponsored student with overall course planning and costs. Contact with the Program Head should be made at least 4 weeks prior to term start. IMPORTANT: Late registration will NOT be accepted (registration closes the day before the term starts - subject to availability). This course will be offered again in the Winter 2024 Term (January-March). Registration will open Wednesday, October 25 -- online or by phone (604-434-1610 / 1-866-434-1610, option 2).
Status
CRN 33151
Dates
Sep 02 - Nov 21 Loading
- CRN 33151
- $282.18 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 02 - Nov 21 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Gina Vahlas
Course outline
Important information
- Available for re-registration (course extension) only.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- RE-REGISTER in this section ONLY if you were registered in the previous Spring Term, and did not complete all course requirements. This is a one-time option to extend for another 12-week term at a reduced tuition fee. Course work submitted in the Spring Term will be retained; you are ONLY required to submit outstanding course work. Tutor support is available by e-mail (or by phone, if pre-arranged). Upon Re-Registration, expect to receive a confirmation e-mail entitled “OCHS 3520 - Fall Term - Course Information from BCIT”. NO print course materials are required from the BCIT Bookstore. The Student Handbook + Request To Write Exam forms will be available online prior to the Fall Term at: www.bcit.ca/distance/learnersupport/resources.shtml. Your initial course from the Spring Term will remain open for VIEWING for several years. HOWEVER, access to your Re-Registration course in the Fall Term will be available on September 8. You will need to access the Fall Term of the course in order to submit any outstanding assignments and/or write any outstanding online exams. Login via The Learning Hub at: learn.bcit.ca. NOTE: If you previously completed all course requirements and failed the course - DO NOT RE-REGISTER. You must register in the Distance Learning course again at full tuition.
Status
Winter 2026
Below are two offerings of OCHS 3520 for the Winter 2026 term.
CRN 47150
Dates
Jan 05 - Mar 27 Loading
- CRN 47150
- $887.60 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 05 - Mar 27 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Guided learning format.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- This is an *** ONLINE *** Distance Education course. Internet access is required. To be successful, plan to spend 10-12 hours per week on your studies, starting Week 1. Tutor support is available by e-mail (or by phone, if pre-arranged). Upon registration, expect to receive a confirmation e-mail entitled “OCHS 3520 - Winter Term - Course Information from BCIT”. Ensure you have an active e-mail address on file with BCIT so you don't miss this important e-mail. COURSE MATERIALS / BOOKSTORE: NO print course materials are required from the Bookstore for this ONLINE course. ACCESS: Available the morning of January term start. Login via The Learning Hub at: learn.bcit.ca. SPONSORED STUDENTS: Information is available on the BCIT website. For course registration: www.bcit.ca/admission/fees/sponsorship.shtml. For course materials: www.bcit.ca/bookstore/sponsored.shtml. It is recommended that a “Proposed Program” (outlining the entire OH&S 45-credit Certificate) be requested by contacting the Program Head, Dave Wood at 604-432-8220 / 1-800-663-6542, ext. 8220 or David_Wood@bcit.ca. This “Proposed Program” will assist both sponsor and sponsored student with overall course planning and costs. Contact with the Program Head should be made at least 4 weeks prior to term start. IMPORTANT: Late registration will NOT be accepted (registration closes the day before the term starts - subject to availability). This course will be offered again in the Spring Term (April-June). Registration will open end February -- online or by phone (604-434-1610 / 1-866-434-1610, option 2).
Status
CRN 47151
Dates
Jan 05 - Mar 27 Loading
- CRN 47151
- $282.18 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 05 - Mar 27 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Available for re-registration (course extension) only.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- RE-REGISTER in this section ONLY if you were registered in the previous Fall Term, and did not complete all course requirements. This is a one-time option to extend for another 12-week term at a reduced tuition fee. Course work submitted in the Fall Term will be retained; you are ONLY required to submit outstanding course work. Tutor support available by e-mail (or by phone, if pre-arranged). Upon Re-Registration, expect to receive a confirmation e-mail entitled “OCHS 3520 - Winter Term - Course Information from BCIT”. NO print course materials are required from the BCIT Bookstore. The Student Handbook + Request To Write Exam forms will be available prior to the Winter Term at: www.bcit.ca/distance/learnersupport/resources.shtml. Your initial course from the Fall Term will remain open for VIEWING for several years. HOWEVER, access to your Re-Registration course in the Winter Term will be available January term start. You will need to access the Winter Term of the course in order to submit any outstanding assignments and/or write any outstanding online exams. Login via The Learning Hub at: learn.bcit.ca. NOTE: If you previously completed all course requirements, and failed the course - DO NOT RE-REGISTER. You must register in the Distance Learning course again at full tuition.
Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.