The OHS Body of Knowledge has been launched at the recent SIA National Convention, Safety in Action. The OHS Body of Knowledge describes the core knowledge expected of OHS professionals, and provides a basis for accrediting OHS graduate and post graduate courses (not VET courses such as OHS Certificate III or IV).

Greg Tweedly, CEO of WorkSafe Victoria explained that “The accreditation process will play a significant role in both raising the standard of professional OHS advice and giving employers great confidence when engaging OHS expertise.”


The need for a body of knowledge for OHS professionals was identified in reviews of OHS legislation and OHS education in Australia.

The OHS Body of Knowledge has been developed as an e-book and will be regularly amended and updated as people use it and as the evidence base expands. Whether you are an OHS professional, an educator or use or employ the services of OHS professionals then make sure you are part of the discussion.


The CEO of the SIA, Mr Keith Brown, said “This is an important step for the generalist OHS profession”.


For OHS educators the OHS Body of Knowledge will inform program development and learning materials. Prospective OHS students will have their accredited education programs developed by taking account of the OHS Body of Knowledge.


For OHS professionals seeking professional certification, their practice will be assessed considering the scope of the OHS Body of Knowledge, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) will be structured with reference to the OHS Body of Knowledge. For OHS regulators, employers or recruiters the OHS Body of Knowledge provides a benchmark for professional practice.


The process of developing and structuring the main content was managed by a Technical Panel with representation from Victorian universities that teach OHS and from the Safety Institute of Australia. Input was obtained from OHS educators and OHS professionals Australia wide.


Specialist authors contributed chapters, which were then subjected to peer review and editing.


For further information go to www.ohsbok.org.au