Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as an Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner. Occupational Health and Safety Practitioners, serve as facilitators and advisors to employees and management regarding health and safety aspects in the workplace, including the monitoring and inspection of the workplace, the recording and investigation of incidents and accidents as well as implementation and maintenance of Occupational Health and Safety management systems to ensure a healthy and safe work environment. A qualified learner will demonstrate the following key attributes: critical thinking, confidence, assertiveness, ethical conduct, compassion, insightfulness, assertive communication, innovative decision making and high levels of analytical ability. A qualified learner will be able to: • Plan the implementation of operational occupational health and safety management systems. • Facilitate and support actions to eliminate or control hazards to mitigate risks in a designated work area. • Monitor and, continually improve, the effectiveness of operational Occupational Health and Safety management systems. • Promote a culture of Occupational Health and Safety within the organisation. • Facilitate the integration of Occupational Health and Safety reporting into the overall organisational reporting systems and processes. • Communicate with external stakeholders and regulators relevant to the management of Occupational Health and Safety.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is a core element for the success of all organisations and business enterprises. The right to work in a healthy and safe environment is entrenched in the South African Constitution. The accountability for Occupational Health and Safety is shared by all stakeholders and is underpinned by well-established global practices and processes. Line Managers and employees are trained in these processes and legislation to develop, implement and monitor the effective occupational health and safety practices. The qualification is structured for Occupational Health and Safety Practitioners across all industries and organisations in both the public and private sectors. The Higher Occupational Certificate is specifically targeted towards developing the level of professionalism required within this discipline. This qualification will consolidate professional practice at the operational level and build a basis for further study and career progression pathway to Managerial roles in the Occupational Health and Safety. Occupational accidents, injuries and diseases cause immeasurable suffering to victims and their families, impacts productivity negatively, thus economic losses for societies and organisations. Workplace accidents, injuries and diseases have a significant impact on the sustainability of social security systems. The cost of disability benefits and pensions paid by health and personal injury insurance schemes, is ultimately borne by the society and economy. This qualification aims to create the professional practices within organisations to prevent and reduce undesirable injuries, illnesses, diseases, and associated costs to the economy. It will also provide an attractive alternative for other technically qualified employees who want to make a career change into the Occupational Health and Safety discipline. Typical learners for the qualification are those who hold an NQF Level 4 qualification in Occupational Health Safety and has been working as Occupational and Health Safety Practitioner. The qualification was developed in collaboration with Occupational Health and Safety sector and relevant professional body, to cover the competencies required for professional registration. The qualification replaces Occupational Certificate: Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner qualification that is currently registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): • Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. • RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: • National Occupational Certificate: Occupational Health and Safety Officer, NQF Level 4 (under registration process).

• Facilitate and support actions to eliminate or control hazards to mitigate risks in a designated work area.
• Plan the Implementation of operational Occupational Health and Safety management systems.
• Monitor and continually improve the effectiveness of Operational Occupational Health and Safety management systems.
• Promote a culture of Occupational Health and Safety within the organisation.
• Facilitate the integration of Occupational Health and Safety reporting into the overall organisational reporting systems and processes.
• Communicate with external stakeholders and regulators relevant to the management of Occupational Health and Safety.