Diploma Of Occupational Health And Safety Courses In South Africa

Want to get a list of Diploma Of Occupational Health And Safety Courses In South Africa? If yes, this article has all you need.

The South African government has created new Occupational Health and Safety laws that are designed to protect the safety of workers, both on the job and while they are on the way to and from work. Employers must now abide by these laws in order to keep their employees as safe as possible and avoid fines or even prison time for violating these regulations. 

This brief overview of the Occupational Health and Safety diploma will help you understand the requirements involved with getting your diploma and why it’s important that you earn this designation before you start your new career in occupational health and safety. 

What Is OHS? 

OHS or occupational health and safety is an important topic to be aware of, particularly in a country like South Africa. Here you can find a brief introduction of what OHS really is. 

If you are thinking about enrolling for your own OHS course then it will give you some insight into what to expect from your courses. 

The main purpose of OHS is to ensure that every worker has safe working conditions and that they have fair rights if something happens while they are at work. 

It also includes training workers on how to deal with dangerous situations should they arise as well as ensuring that employers provide adequate first aid facilities in case someone gets injured while working. 

This means that employers must provide regular training on how to use equipment properly, how to handle hazardous materials safely and how to maintain a safe workplace environment overall. 

The Benefits of OHS Training 

The reason for training employees on occupational health and safety is to ensure that all of your company’s staff members are aware of potential hazards in their jobs. 

This way, everyone can take precautions before accidents occur, preventing any serious injuries or illnesses from affecting your company’s bottom line. 

For example, a trained employee might know how to properly use a piece of machinery without putting his or her hands too close to moving parts. Or they might be able to avoid walking under an unstable ladder by using another route instead.

Even if you think your employees already know how to perform their tasks safely, it’s still worth it to hold OHS training sessions—after all, things change over time and new hires might not be familiar with certain safety procedures yet. 

Top 7 Diploma Of Occupational Health And Safety Courses In South Africa

Diploma Of Occupational Health And Safety Courses In South Africa Below is the diploma in occupational health and safety courses in South Africa! 

1. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) (Co-ordinator in the Workplace): Proficiency Course. 

The course is aimed at those wishing to obtain an essential foundation in OHS as a Co-ordinator in the Workplace. It provides students with an opportunity to reflect on their current knowledge and understanding of OHS, before identifying gaps and areas for further development. Completion of all course components results in certification by HR Excellence. The course is offered online via e-learning modules. (Course duration is 6 weeks). 

2. Basic Health and Hygiene 

This course will teach you how to work safely in a variety of different environments. It will also give you an overview of health and hygiene practices that are essential to preventing disease or illness. This is an extremely important skill for any occupational health and safety professional. 

You’ll learn about all kinds of bacteria, viruses, bloodborne pathogens, allergens, contaminants and hazards. 

You’ll know what they look like and how to avoid them so that you can stay safe on the job. In addition, you’ll gain valuable knowledge about personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, gloves and other types of gear. 

The more prepared you are for working with hazardous materials, chemicals and substances—the safer your job will be. 

3. General Safety/Safety Induction Training 

General safety or safety induction training helps employees get familiar with what is expected of them while they are at work. This can include a variety of topics and will differ based on your specific needs, but it often includes an overview of emergency procedures, plant layout and health-and-safety procedures. It is imperative that all workers have knowledge of these areas to ensure they do not put themselves or their co-workers in harm’s way.

4. OHASA (Unit Standard 120344) 

This unit standard is designed to allow OH&S professionals, managers and supervisors to demonstrate a working knowledge of OH&S legislation, policies and practices. 

The unit covers key concepts such as risk management and control, legal responsibilities, coordination and supervision for effective OH&S management. 

It also explores how to develop an occupational health and safety policy and program, including a manual or plan that can be used by employers in their workplace. It also looks at specific hazards in workplaces such as chemicals, dangerous goods, manual handling risks and ergonomics. 

5. Health and Safety Representative (SHE Rep) 

If you work for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME), you could be required to act as a health and safety representative. 

This is also known as a shop steward, although it is no longer an official union role. SMEs are exempt from appointing accredited professional health and safety representatives but still need to meet legislation. The SHE Rep will represent staff in discussions with management on health and safety issues. 

They can also inspect worksites, carry out risk assessments and help develop policies that protect workers’ rights. You don’t have to have any formal qualifications – just a willingness to learn! 

6. Accident/Incident Investigation 

Accident and incident investigation is a field of occupational health and safety that includes analyzing causes, identifying deficiencies, and proposing corrective measures. 

By discovering why accidents occur at your workplace, you can take proactive steps to prevent them from occurring again. Key responsibilities for accident/incident investigators include interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, determining liability and assigning blame. 

Accident/incident investigation often overlaps with other specialized fields such as fire investigation or bioterrorism forensics. 

To be an effective investigator, it’s important to understand human factors related to errors and mistakes. For example, some people tend to make more mistakes when they’re rushed or under stress; others are more prone to errors when working in unfamiliar settings.

7. Conduct Continuous based Risk Assessment 

What is a risk assessment? A risk assessment is an evaluation of hazards and their impacts on employees, in order to determine if additional precautions are necessary to prevent worker injury. 

The best way to get started on your risk assessment is by using a template from your company’s Human Resources department. Each company has its own procedures for handling these assessments, so it’s important to follow those guidelines when filling out each section of your template. 

If you don’t have access to a company-specific form, here is a sample generic one that you can use as a guide. Once you have completed your risk assessment, you will be able to identify areas where improvement may be needed within your workplace. 

You will also be able to identify ways that you can keep workers safe while they perform their jobs. 8) HIRA (Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment) 

Tools, Procedures and Requirements (1) The process by which potential hazards in a workplace are identified and evaluated. 

This helps to ensure that, during risk assessment and throughout an investigation, all hazards are considered. Knowledge of how to conduct a HIRA is crucial to conducting other OHS activities. There are two tools used for identifying hazards: checklists and surveys. These tools can be used separately or together depending on your needs and available resources. Checklists help you assess individual tasks or processes; surveys help you assess entire operations or facilities. 

Schools For Diploma Of Occupational Health And Safety Courses In South Africa Below are schools for diploma occupational health and safety courses in South Africa. 

1. OHST – Occupational Health & Safety Training 

OHST is a leading health and safety training company in Perth. OHST offers multiple accredited qualifications at certificate, diploma and advanced diploma levels. 

These are nationally recognised qualifications that can be applied to a wide range of industries and careers. OHST is also working on providing you with information about other industries that require health and safety qualifications such as; Mining, Construction, Oil & Gas or Manufacturing Industries. 

2. WHSE Health and Safety Consultants 

WHSE is a well-established occupational health and safety consultancy company in South Africa. As you would expect, WHSE has to comply with all local laws and standards. If you’re thinking of starting your

own OH&S consulting business, then it makes sense to look at companies like WHSE for help with issues like OH&S training, requirements for establishing an OH&S consultancy, etc. 

You may also want to contact WHSE for advice regarding how to establish an OH&S consultancy or contracting arrangement that will allow you to be legally compliant as required by OHSA 2015. It goes without saying that any serious employer must have properly trained employees so as not only meet legal compliance but also to keep employees safe at work. 

Conclusion 

The intention of a diploma in occupational health and safety is to equip students with an in-depth understanding of all aspects related to health and safety, as well as advance their practical skills. 

Through our course, you will be able to get a formal qualification that will enable you to specialize in your chosen field and begin a career as an occupational health and safety specialist. Having completed your Diploma you can apply for higher certificates or even a degree program at most universities across South Africa.