Safety Health and Quality Practitioner Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner NQF Level 5

Occupational Title: Safety, Health and Quality Practitioner (Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner)

SAQA ID: 99714

Curriculum code: 226302001

NQF Level 5

Credits: 256

Occupational Health and Safety is a core element for the success of all enterprises globally. The right to work in a safe and healthy environment is entrenched in the South African Constitution. The accountability for Occupational Health and safety is shared by all stakeholders and there are well established global practices and processes for ensuring Occupational Health and Safety. Over the years the development and implementation of these systems have become a science on its own. Line managers are trained in these processes and a cadre of specialised employees has been established to develop, implement and monitor the effective use of these global best practices.

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner.

An Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner serves as a facilitator and advisor to employees and management regarding safety and health aspects in the workplace including the monitoring and inspecting of the workplace, the recording and investigation of incidents and accidents. They also implement and maintain Occupational Health and Safety systems in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

The Occupational Health and Safety discipline is built on global standards and practices. In all countries there is legislation that requires the appointment of Occupational Health and Safety Practitioners. Because of this there are qualifications in most countries. The content of these qualifications covers mostly the same material.

In the United Kingdom (UK) the Level 5 National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is a vocational qualification designed specifically for safety professionals who want to attain a chartered status of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH) through a practical, evidence-based route as opposed to an academic course.

It is a qualification for those who wish to forge a career in health and safety as advisors, managers or consultants. There are no entry requirements, but candidates must be aged 19 or over. Learners who are carrying out the activities stated in the unit standards will be requested to produce evidence to show their competence in these areas.

The qualification meets the academic requirements for Graduate Membership of IOSH. With additional experience and further professional development, those who obtain get the Diploma can also attain Chartered Safety Practitioner status.

A similar situation to those found in the UK and Canada exists in Australia, where the Vocational Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety can be earned within a period of 15 to 18 months. This qualification enables learners to use well-developed skills and a broad knowledge base in a wide variety of contexts. They will also be able to apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. This qualification would suit an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officer in a full-time dedicated role who works under the supervision of an OHS Coordinator or OHS Manager, and will enable people to fulfil Job Roles such as:

Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator.

Occupational Health and Safety Officer.

The Occupational Certificate: OHS Practitioner compares favourably with the qualifications and courses reviewed in the two countries in terms of content, level and duration.

Recipients of this qualification will be able to:

Inspect work places and environments to identify the occupational health and safety hazards and determine the risks associated with the work.

Facilitate and support actions to eliminate or control hazards in order to minimise risks in a designated work area.

Represent the needs of employees with regard to Occupational Health and Safety matters.

Participate in the planning and implementation of operational Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.

Monitor and continually improve the effectiveness of operational Occupational Health and Safety systems.

There are no entry requirements, but interested candidate must be aged 19 or over.

The duration of this course is 15 to 18 months and the content covers all the aspects that is covered in the South African Occupational Certificate.

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Workplace Learning Modules:

226302001-KM-01, Fundamentals of Occupational Health and Safety, Level 2, 9 Credits.

226302001-KM-02, Fundamentals of Communication, Level 3, 6 Credits.

226302001-KM-03, Occupational Health and Safety applications, Level 4, 17 Credits.

226302001-KM-04, Occupational Health and Safety Management, Level 5, 38 Credits.

226302001-KM-05, Operations Management and Supervision, Level 5, 6 Credits. 

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 76.

226302001-PM-01, Represent the needs of employees with regard to Occupational Health and Safety matters, Level 3, 8 Credits.

226302001-PM-02, Inspect work places, identify hazards and risks and take immediate action to ensure health and safety in the workplace, Level 3, 4 Credits.

226302001-PM-03, Consult with employees and raise their needs and issues at, Level 2, 4 Credits.

226302001-PM-04, Inspect work places and environments to identify the occupational health and safety hazards and determine the risks associated with the work, Level 4, 16 Credits.

226302001-PM-05, Coordinate the work activities of Occupational Health and Safety representatives, Level 4, 6 Credits.

226302001-PM-06, Develop a risk profile and legal register for a designated work area, Level 5, 6 Credits.

226302001-PM-07, Establish, maintain and improve the health and safety documentation and reporting systems, controls and processes, Level 5, 4 Credits.

226302001-PM-08, Advise on the establishment maintenance and improvement of emergency response and preparedness, Level 5, 8 Credits.

226302001-PM-09, Manage the effectiveness of operational Occupational Health and Safety systems, Level 5, Credits 6. 

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 62. 

226302001-WM-01, Exposure to the workplace examination processes, Level 2, 12 Credits.

226302001-WM-02, Exposure to the processes of representing the Occupational Health and Safety needs of employees, Level 3, 4 Credits.

226302001-WM-03, Exposure to Occupational Risk Management processes, Level 4, 12 Credits.

226302001-WM-04, Exposure to the processes of selecting, appointing and managing Occupational Health and Safety representatives, Level 4, 8 Credits.

226302001-WM-05, Exposure to the processes of developing and implementing Occupational Health and Safety systems, Level 5, 48 Credits.

226302001-WM-06, Exposure to the processes of monitoring and improving Occupational Health and Safety systems, Level 5, 34 Credits. 

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 118.

Horizontal Articulation:

National Diploma: Occupational Safety, Level 5 (ID 79808).

Vertical Articulation:

This is a new qualification. There are no cognate qualifications developed at Level 6 at present on the OQSF.