Program Overview
The ROH Examination is based on a defined set of competencies that represent the knowledge, skills, and judgment expected of professional occupational hygienists in Canada.
Our preparation program follows these competencies step-by-step. Each module begins with the official exam definition for accuracy, followed by simplified explanations, practical examples, and exam-focused insights for clarity. This approach ensures that your study is aligned with the CRBOH framework while making the content easier to learn, retain, and apply in practice.
While this program is structured around the official ROH exam competencies, it also serves as a practical learning resource for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of occupational hygiene principles and practice
ROH Exam Competency Areas
Basic Science
Physical Hazards: Noise
Chemical Hazards
General concepts within chemistry, biology, physiology, physics, biochemistry, anatomy, and psychology which form the underlying basis for the science of occupational hygiene.
This module integrates chemistry & physics. Topics covered include gas laws,
vapor pressure, pH, particle dynamics.
Chemical Hazards
Physical Hazards: Noise
Chemical Hazards
Understanding of the toxicology and potential health effects of exposure to chemical substances (symptoms, modes of action, routes of entry, absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion), methods of evaluation of chemical exposure (air sampling and biological monitoring techniques), analytical methods, and controls (engineering controls such as ventilation, isolation, and process change; administrative controls; personal protective equipment selection, use and limitations)."
This module is the core of occupational hygiene practice and makes up a large part of the ROH exam. It’s broken into four sub-modules of
- Toxicology
- Methods of Evaluation
- Analytical Methods
- Controls
Physical Hazards: Noise
Physical Hazards: Noise
Physical Hazards: Noise
“Health effects arising from exposure to noise, the physics of noise, methods of measuring and evaluating noise exposure, engineering controls to reduce noise exposure, selection, and use of hearing protection.”
This module focuses on occupational noise exposure, one of the most common physical hazards in workplaces. We’ll break it into four key areas: of Health Effects, Physics of Noise, Evaluation Methods and Controls & Hearing Protection
Physical Hazards: Other
Physical Hazards: Other
Physical Hazards: Noise
Physical characteristics, potential health effects of exposure, evaluation and measurement of exposure, and control methods for ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation, thermal and pressure stressors, and vibration.
This module addresses non-chemical hazards that can significantly impact worker health and safety beyond noise hazards.
Biological Hazards
Physical Hazards: Other
Biological Hazards
Potential and actual health effects of exposure to biological agents (bacteria, allergens, toxins, moulds, fungi, viruses, bloodborne pathogens, etc.). Evaluation, measurement and control of exposure to biological hazards.
This module addresses workplace risks from living organisms and their by-products, focusing on recognition, evaluation, and control.
Legislation
Physical Hazards: Other
Biological Hazards
General understanding of occupational health, safety and hygiene legislation within at least one Canadian jurisdiction. Understanding of accepted industry health and safety standards including the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit values, Canadian Standards Association’s health and safety standards, and The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidelines respecting acceptable air quality.
This module covers Core OHS and hygiene requirements in at least one Canadian jurisdiction e.g. WorkSafeBC with cross-jurisdictional references and practical application of legislation.
Ergonomics
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Understanding of biomechanical, anthropometric, physiological, anatomical, and engineering principles needed to design and organize the workplace for the purpose of preventing injuries and illnesses.
This module focuses on how to fit the job to the worker by applying science and design principles. Key areas include, Biomechanics & Physiology, Anthropometrics, Anatomy, Engineering & Design, Prevention Focus.
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Techniques for study of occupationally induced diseases and physiological conditions in workplaces. Basic statistical and non-statistical interpretation of epidemiological data in evaluating hazards.
This module builds skills to interpret workplace health data and apply evidence to decision-making. It includes Epidemiology Basics, Health Outcomes, Biostatistics, Data Interpretation and Application.
Safety
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Environmental Issues
Understanding of basic safety principles as they apply to the practice of occupational hygiene (e.g., confined space).
This module reviews the core safety concepts that occupational hygienists must apply in practice. Topics include, Confined space entry principles and atmospheric testing, Lockout/tagout and energy control, Fire and explosion hazards, Safe work procedures and hazard recognition.
Environmental Issues
Process-related Hazards
Environmental Issues
Health and environmental effects of pollutants. Knowledge of current environmental issues and a general understanding of the requirements of environmental legislation. Knowledge of the potential impact of occupational hygiene controls (ventilation systems, air cleaning technologies) on public health.
This module connects occupational hygiene to broader environmental health.
Process-related Hazards
Process-related Hazards
Process-related Hazards
Hazards associated with processes within various occupational settings.
This module emphasizes recognizing hazards tied to industrial processes, e.g. Welding, Foundry operations, Chemical production, Refining, petrochemical, and energy-sector hazards
Labour Relations
Process-related Hazards
Process-related Hazards
Understanding of the roles and perspectives of the various occupational health, safety and hygiene perspectives of unions, workers, and management.
This module highlights the human and organizational side of occupational hygiene.
Ethics
Standards of ethical professional conduct, conflict of interest, CRBOH Code of Ethics.
This module reinforces the ethical responsibilities of occupational hygienists.
Management
Development, implementation, and evaluation of occupational hygiene programs. Topics such as resource allocation, budgeting, delegation of authority, accountability, communication, policy making, etc.
This module covers the management and leadership skills needed to run an occupational hygiene program.