Occupational Health and Safety Officer

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as an Occupational Health and Safety Officer. Occupational Health and Safety Officers monitor compliance with health and safety systems and processes in an organisation. They identify hazards and assess risks to health and safety and recommend the implementation of appropriate health and safety controls where required. A qualified learner will demonstrate the following key attributes: teamwork, results oriented, tenacity, self-motivation, effective communication, fairness and consistency. A qualified learner will be able to: • Evaluate and recommend appropriate Occupational Health and Safety risk management controls. > Conduct investigations into Occupational Health and Safety incidents and accidents. • Co-ordinate the control of overall Occupational Health and Safety administration. • Execute the basic administrative duties required for the management of Occupational Health and Safety. • Apply basic data analysis to compile Occupational Health and Safety reports using standard reporting formats. • Contribute to production planning by ensuring that the Occupational Health and Safety risks are managed appropriately and report on the Occupational Health and Safety compliance status for a designated area of the organisation.

Workers are involved in fatal and non-fatal occupational accidents causing deaths, serious injuries, diseases, absences from work, loss of production, income and profits. The devastating effects of this on workers and their families cannot be fully calculated. It costs workers' loss of quality life, premature death, pain and suffering. It also impacts negatively on the mental health of a worker after an accident. Depression after an accident is common, especially where there are lasting health effects. Workers suffer long-term disabilities, they lose important skills and become redundant. Effective Occupational Health and Safety management is a critical success factor for any organisation, and it is a key determinant of the eventual sustainability of organisations. Keeping workers healthy and free of injury is a key imperative in reducing the financial burden of health care on the fiscus and benefits the economy. For these reasons it is imperative that employees receive appropriate training in key aspects relating to Occupational Health and Safety. The Occupational Health and Safety legislation requires that all organisations employ dedicated staff to facilitate the implementation of approved Occupational Health and Safety systems and processes. These systems, and the accompanying compliance processes, are globally accepted standard practices. This qualification contains the requisite knowledge, skills and work exposure that will enable organisations to train the dedicated staff that they appoint in these legal roles. An Occupational Health and Safety Officer is a generalist in the field with responsibilities to ensure that the required systems and practices are implemented across a designated area of an organisation. In smaller organisations the Occupational Health and Safety Officer will take sole responsibility for the function and will work with line management and contracted experts to optimise the positive impact of all Occupational Health and Safety initiatives. The Occupational Health and Safety Officer qualification will enable leaners to work across all industries and sectors. Typical learners that will benefit from this qualification are new entrants and current employees in technical positions with Occupational Health and Safety responsibilities. This qualification also serves as an entry point into Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner career pathway. It is aligned with the National Development Strategy, and it will enable employees from the different technical work areas to embark on a career path in Occupational Health and Safety operations. This qualification will standardise the training and enhance the levels of Occupational Health and Safety compliance within organisations, thus prevent occupational injuries and diseases. The qualification was developed in collaboration with relevant professional bodies to ensure that the qualification competencies are aligned to the professional registration requirements. There is no similar occupational qualification registered in the National Qualifications Framework.

• Apply procedures and techniques to evaluate and recommend appropriate Occupational Health and Safety risk management controls.
• Gather and interpret information to Investigate Occupational Health and Safety Incidents and Accidents.
• Apply procedures to co-ordinate the control of overall Occupational Health and Safety administration.
• Execute the basic administrative duties required for the management of OHS meeting.
• Interpret basic data analysis to compile Occupational Health and Safety reports using standard reporting formats.
• Contribute to production planning by ensuring that risks are managed appropriately and report on the Occupational Health and Safety compliance status of the production plans for a designated work area.