The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act 85, 1993) requires that employers provide a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of their employees. Part of the provision under this Act is that the employer is to ensure that “work is performed and that plant or machinery is used under the general supervision of a person trained to understand the hazards associated with it and who has the authority to ensure that precautionary measures taken by the employer are implemented”. With this, there has been increased attention to occupational health and safety courses and the need for employees vast in occupational health and safety practices has no doubt become a must in many workplaces, that is if employers wish to avoid the numerous lawsuits that may result from the violation of this law.
A workplace with a robust health and safety management system is a catalyst for continuous growth. Employees work in a safe and healthy environment, knowing that management cares about their well-being, there is zero to minimal loss due to preventable accidents, and lawsuits. Also, knowledge can be carried over to other areas of life, among other benefits.
Who Are Health and Safety Officers?
Occupational health and safety (OHS) officers are responsible for putting health and safety systems in place in a work environment. Safety officers may function as health and safety officer/manager, health and safety advisor, health and safety director, fire safety manager, HR manager, general manager, supervisor, health and safety representative, invigilation officer, etc.
What Are Occupational Health And Safety Courses And Why Should You Do Them?
Occupational health and safety courses are courses that equip participants with the knowledge to work in various job roles that primarily deal with health and safety in the workplace, workplace legislation, and scenarios that require the input of health and safety professionals. These courses require that persons certified in them understand key elements of health and safety, such as hazards, risk assessment, and risk management, legal compliance, etc.
There are quite a lot of benefits of having a certification in occupational health and safety courses, for one, there are career starting points as well as career progression tools. For a newbie in this field, a certificate would guarantee job placement in any workplace of your choice, as it has been established that health and safety officers are indispensable in any workplace.
For managers, supervisors, advisors, strategists, or any other role that requires responsibility for labor and capital, a certification in occupational health and safety courses not only helps in the execution of job roles, it is also a benchmark for promotion, as well as a confidence booster. certification in occupational health and safety courses also provides avenues for the potential to earn higher salaries, self-employment and consultancy opportunities, as well as global job opportunities.
Health And Safety Officer Course Requirements In South Africa
Most health and safety courses in South Africa require a grade 10, the ability to read and write in English, and a minimum age of 16 years old. However, higher certification may require knowledge and/or certification in general health and safety courses. Apart from these basics, having the following skills sets are a plus;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Observation skills (attention to detail)
- Tactfulness
- Sense of responsibility
- Physical ability to do the work
Where To Study Occupational Health And Safety In South Africa And Course Prices
In South Africa, the best place to study occupational health and safety courses are centers accredited by the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). These institutions and their course prices are discussed below.
NEBOSH Certificates
NEBOSH Certificates are some of the most popular certificates on health and safety in the world, including South Africa and it allows you to work anywhere around the globe. NEBOSH Certificates provide a solid foundation in health and safety systems and practices to help managers, supervisors, and employees with their day-to-day duties and responsibilities.
1. NEBOSH International General Certificate
Participants in this course will learn how to effectively manage health and safety with the aim of supporting and developing the workplace health and safety culture.
- Cost: Classroom learning: R21, 995
- Distance learning: R7, 195
- E-learning: R5, 995
This certificate is targeted at managers, supervisors, non-safety specialists, and worker representatives who have both general and specific health and safety responsibilities within their organizations. Its scope mainly covers the management of health and safety and risk assessment.
2. NEBOSH International Certificate in Oil and Gas Safety
This course builds on the knowledge acquired in NEBOSH International Certificate, with industry-specific content focused on international standards and management systems.
- Cost: Distance learning: R7, 195
- Duration: 34 taught hours and approximately 20 hours of private study and background reading
- Best School: Phoenix Health and Safety Training center in Sandton, South Africa
- Others: SHEilds Johannesburg, South Africa
This course is for supervisors, safety representatives, managers, and newly-qualified health and safety advisers operating in the oil and gas industries. It basically covers areas such as the management of international oil and gas health and safety.
3. NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
This Diploma increases the holder’s ability to help organizations make decisions in managing risks, supports workplace business objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Cost: Distance learning: R20 995
- Duration: 24 months
- Best School: Phoenix Health and Safety Training center in Sandton, South Africa
- Others: SHEilds Johannesburg, South Africa
This is NEBOSH degree-level qualification for health & safety professionals. This Diploma covers the practical skills that are essential to health and safety professionals. Participants’ ability to apply their knowledge in real-world settings is accessed and they are taught how to deliver positive change in the workplace.
This course is for health and safety professionals wishing to advance their careers. On completion of the NEBOSH International Diploma, you will be entitled to use “DipNEBOSH” after your name and apply for membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (GradIOSH) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).
4. NEBOSH Certificate In Fire Safety (FSC)
This qualification provides participants with the necessary fire safety skills and knowledge to protect people, property, and the workplace from fire hazards and develop the right fire safety culture.
- Cost; Distance learning: R9,633
- Duration: 12 months
- Best School: SHEilds Johannesburg, South Africa
- Others: Phoenix Health and Safety Training center in Sandton, South Africa, MAKROSAFE
This course is for those who have fire safety responsibilities at a low to medium risk workplace such as facilities managers and health & safety managers/representatives, as well as persons who wish to build a career as a fire safety adviser. The scope of this course includes; managing fire safety, principles of fire and explosion, fuel, oxygen, and ignition sources and control measures, fire protection of buildings, the safety of people in the event of a fire outbreak, and fire safety risk assessment.
5. NEBOSH International Construction Certificate
Participants will be equipped with the skills to assist their organization in meeting their legal construction safety obligations. They will also understand how to identify and control construction site hazards and advise on risk management.
- Cost: Distance learning: R9,633
- Duration: 12 months
- Best School: SHEilds Johannesburg, South Africa
- Others: Phoenix Health and Safety Training center in Sandton, South Africa, NOSA Colleges
This course is suitable for workers in the construction industry, like construction site managers/supervisors, contractor managers, site workers with health and safety responsibilities, and construction health & safety advisors. At the end of this course, participants would be able to evaluate a range of construction hazards to prevent risk, establish and promote safer systems of work, collaborate on incident investigations, examine the roles and duties of others under construction legislation, influence a positive culture towards health & safety, advice on safe working practices, assess the suitability of and manage contractors.
IOSH Courses
The IOSH Managing Safely course was developed by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
1. IOSH Managing Safely
This course equips people in positions of responsibility with an overview of how to identify, evaluate, and control workplace risks.
- Cost: E-learning: R4 995
- Duration: 6 months
- Best School: Phoenix Health and Safety Training center in Sandton, South Africa
- Others: UNISA, SHEilds Johannesburg, South Africa
Managing safely is targeted at anyone with responsibility for other employees, including team leaders, supervisors, and managers. This course covers areas such as assessing risks, controlling risk, understanding responsibilities, understanding hazards, investigating incidents, and measuring performance.
2. IOSH Working Safely
This course provides basic training in health and safety for workers and management alike in any sector, worldwide. It provides the knowledge and tools required to work safely.
- Cost: E-learning: R1 995
- Duration: 6 months
- Best School: Phoenix Health and Safety Training center in Sandton, South Africa
- Others: SHEilds Johannesburg, South Africa
IOSH Working Safely is suitable for staff at all levels of a business, irrespective of their seniority. It covers scopes like; introducing working safely, defining hazards and risks, identifying common hazards, and improving safety performance.
3. Occupational Health and Safety (Representative in the Workplace): Proficiency Course
As aspirant occupational health and safety representatives, participants will be taught how to address health and safety-related issues within the work environment. This course will equip them with the necessary skills needed to perform all the functions of an OHS representative at the workplace and help organizations create a safe and healthy work environment for their workers.
- Cost: R6,360
- Duration: 10 months
- Best School: College SA, Cape Town
- Others: South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh), OHS Institute South Africa
Areas covered in this course include; SHE awareness, safety, and audit inspection hazard identification & risk assessment, SHE incident investigations, and SHEQ representative.
4. Occupational Health and Safety (Co-ordinator in the Workplace): Proficiency Course
This course explains the purpose of occupational health and safety and the rules and regulations involved. Participants get to learn the general health and safety rules, what to do in case of emergency situations, and how to administer first aid in case of injury or trauma.
- Cost: R7,380
- Duration: 10 months
- Best School: College SA, Cape Town
- Others: Ember Academy
Areas covered in this course include; SHE awareness, Safety and audit inspection, Hazard identification & risk assessment, First aid, and Organisational communication.
Occupational Health And Safety Short Courses In South Africa
Apart from long-term courses, there are also short-term courses being offered by numerous occupational health and safety institutions throughout South Africa. These courses usually have a duration ranging from hours to 1-10 days and they are quite affordable. For example, a 4-hour training course on basic fire awareness in Nosa College is R890 for classroom price and R710 for E-Learning Price. A 1-day short course training on health & safety representative course in Absolute Health Services goes for R695, while 10 days training on health & safety officer course in Absolute Health Services is R8,995.
These short courses are most times part of a bigger course plan that has been broken down into shorter courses. Some of these courses are in specialized fields that otherwise would not have been covered in the general courses, fields like mining, etc. Also for trainees/safety officers who would love to brush up on certain key courses, these short courses are a cheaper and efficient way to do so. Not only are they not super expensive, most can be studied online from the comfort of one’s home.
Institutions That Offer Short Occupational Health And Safety Courses
The Occupational Health and Safety Institute of South Africa (OHSISA)
OHSISA offers short courses in Basic Fire Fighting, Working At Heights/Fall Protection, Safety, Health And Environmental (She) Representative, First Aid Levels 1&2, Forklift Training, Hazard Identification, And Risk Assessment (HIRA), Incident Investigation, Hazardous Chemical Substance Awareness, Emergency Plan & Evacuation, Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety, Basic Health, and Safety Principles, etc.
Occupational Health & Safety Training (OHST)
OHST also offer short courses in Hse Representatives Course, Applying Safety, Health, And Environment Principles & Procedures, Safety Officer Course, Legal Liability, Risk Management (RMC), Basic First Aid Level 1, Basic First Aid Level 2, Basic First Aid Level 3, Basic Fire Fighting.
Proviso Training College, Gauteng, South Africa
Proviso Training College, have short courses training on First Aid 1,2 & 3, Basic Fire Fighting, SHE Representative, Compliance To OHS, Emergency Preparedness, Incident Investigation, Risk Assessment (HIRA), Basic O.H.S, Legal Liability, Occupational Hygiene, and Safety Certificate.
Absolute Health Services, Durban, South Africa
Absolute Health Services offer courses like Health & Safety Officer Course, Health & Safety Representative Course, Health & Safety Supervisor Course, Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (HIRA) Course, Occupational Health & Safety Act Course, Incident Investigation Course.
NOSA Colleges, South Africa
NOSA Colleges has the options for classroom learning, e-Learning, and Webinars in courses such as Basic Fire Awareness, Basic Firefighting, Defensive Driving For Light Motor Vehicles, Emergency Evacuation Procedures, Evacuation Awareness, Fire Marshal, First Aid Level 1, Hazard Identification, and Risk Assessment (HIRA), Incident Investigation Level 3, Introduction To OHS Act, Iso 45001: 2018 Introduction, Legal Liability Etc.
Since most of these courses are designed by the institutions that run them, the courses and their content do vary from one place to the other. Also, all courses can be accessed via E-learning platforms.
What Is The Average Safety Officer’s Salary In South Africa?
The average safety officer salary in South Africa is R23,000 per month and R276,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start at R204,000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R2,184,000 per year.
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