The article substantiates the relevance of forming competences in life safety and labor protection for future teachers of natural sciences. The concepts of «purview» and «competence» in the psychological and pedagogical literature are analyzed. The list of general and professional competencies in Life Health and Safety and Labor Protection that students should master in the process of professional training is substantiated; the range of main expected learning outcomes that a higher education student should demonstrate upon completion of the discipline Fundamentals of Occupational Health and Safety is outlined.