Occupational Certificate: Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner

This NQF Level 5 qualification develops your ability to champion occupational health and safety within an organisation. You’ll learn to evaluate risks, implement and maintain OHS management systems, facilitate hazard control, and ensure continuous improvement of workplace safety. By achieving this qualification, you’ll be prepared to reduce accidents, comply with legislation, and promote a strong safety culture in any sector.

Course price from

R40,000.00

Start date

Contact Us

Course duration

18 Months

Course language

English

NQF level

5

Credits

256

Entry level

Grade 12

Course ID

99714

Completing this course will enable you to:

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Inspect and assess workplace hazards, devising control strategies.
  • Advise employees and management on safe practices and legal compliance.
  • Develop, implement, and update OHS management systems.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to foster a health and safety culture.
  • Continuously monitor and improve OHS processes for ongoing compliance and risk reduction.

Entry Requirements:

  • NQF Level 4 qualification (or equivalent) with Mathematical Literacy.

Course Outcomes

Hazard Control and Risk Management

  • Identify and assess hazards in a variety of work contexts.
  • Implement and supervise short/medium/long-term corrective actions.
  • Ensure compliance with national legislation and global best practices.

Planning and Implementing OHS Management Systems

  • Formulate risk profiles and legal registers.
  • Develop and execute health and safety plans based on identified shortcomings.
  • Communicate effectively to address barriers and maintain documentation processes.

Monitoring and Improvement

  • Analyse audit findings, incident reports, and trends.
  • Recommend system enhancements aligned with leading industry practices.
  • Facilitate continuous improvement of OHS frameworks.

Interested in training for your company?

Off-site training available at your business

Contact one of our Business Sales Executives for tailored made training solutions for your business.

+27 13 744 9328

Course Curriculum

Knowledge Modules (76 Credits)

KM-01: Fundamentals of Occupational Health and Safety (Level 2, 9 Credits)

  • Basic Definitions & Concepts: Understanding “hazard,” “risk,” “incident,” etc.
  • Legal Framework: High-level overview of SA’s health and safety legislation.
  • Historical Development of OHS: Evolution of safety regulations globally and locally.
  • Roles & Responsibilities: Employers, employees, and OHS representatives.

KM-02: Fundamentals of Communication (Level 3, 6 Credits)

  • Communication Principles: Verbal, written, and digital communication in OHS contexts.
  • Reporting & Record-Keeping: Clear, concise, and accurate documentation methods.
  • Conflict Resolution & Team Dynamics: Building rapport, handling disagreements, and motivating teams for safety compliance.

KM-03: Occupational Health and Safety Applications (Level 4, 17 Credits)

  • Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment: Practical tools (e.g., HIRA, JHA).
  • Emergency Response: Basic principles of firefighting, evacuation, and first aid coordination.
  • Incident Investigation: Techniques for root cause analysis, evidence gathering, and corrective action plans.

KM-04: Occupational Health and Safety Management (Level 5, 38 Credits)

  • OHS Management Systems: ISO 45001 or similar frameworks; setting objectives and targets.
  • Policy Development & Implementation: Creating site-specific OHS policies.
  • Auditing & Review: Conducting internal audits, developing leading/lagging indicators.
  • Behavioural Safety: Strategies for positive safety culture, employee engagement, and leadership.

KM-05: Operations Management and Supervision (Level 5, 6 Credits)

  • Resource Allocation: Planning budgets and resources for OHS interventions.
  • Scheduling & Coordination: Overseeing staff, timelines, and safety committees.
  • Operational Efficiency: Linking OHS to business goals and KPIs for sustainable practice.

Practical Skill Modules (62 Credits)

PM-01: Representing Employee Needs (Level 3, 8 Credits)

  • Advocating for workers’ safety concerns.
  • Managing committees and facilitating internal OHS dialogue.
  • Engaging with management to propose solutions.

PM-02: Workplace Inspections & Hazard Identification (Level 3, 4 Credits)

  • Conducting routine safety inspections in diverse environments.
  • Reporting hazards immediately and ensuring short-term fixes.

PM-03: Consulting with Employees (Level 2, 4 Credits)

  • Running toolbox talks, briefings, or feedback sessions.
  • Gathering worker input on daily safety challenges.

PM-04: Advanced Workplace Assessments (Level 4, 16 Credits)

  • Identifying complex hazards (chemical, ergonomic, mechanical).
  • Proposing risk control measures in line with regulatory standards.

PM-05: Coordinating OHS Representatives (Level 4, 6 Credits)

  • Overseeing OHS reps’ activities and ensuring alignment with policy.
  • Leading OHS training sessions to upskill team members.

PM-06: Developing Risk Profiles & Legal Registers (Level 5, 6 Credits)

  • Creating comprehensive risk registers.
  • Mapping organisational compliance to relevant laws and codes.

PM-07: Document Management & Reporting (Level 5, 4 Credits)

  • Maintaining logs, incident records, and compliance reports.
  • Ensuring data integrity and easy retrieval for audits.

PM-08: Emergency Preparedness (Level 5, 8 Credits)

  • Designing and updating emergency response plans (fire, evacuation, spills).
  • Coordinating drills and evaluating readiness.

PM-09: Managing OHS System Effectiveness (Level 5, 6 Credits)

  • Measuring KPI performance, accident statistics, near misses.
  • Proposing system improvements, linking results to broader business objectives.

Work Experience Modules (118 Credits)

WM-01: Exposure to Workplace Examination Processes (Level 2, 12 Credits)

  • Shadowing senior inspectors.
  • Learning basic tools for daily hazard checks.

WM-02: Representing OHS Needs of Employees (Level 3, 4 Credits)

  • Assisting with communication of OHS concerns to leadership.
  • Observing conflict resolution and negotiations.

WM-03: Occupational Risk Management Practices (Level 4, 12 Credits)

  • Participating in risk assessments, applying known hazard analysis tools.
  • Helping interpret data to propose corrective actions.

WM-04: Selecting & Managing OHS Representatives (Level 4, 8 Credits)

  • Exposure to team-building and leadership in safety committees.
  • Evaluating reps’ performance, scheduling training.

WM-05: Developing & Implementing OHS Systems (Level 5, 48 Credits)

  • Hands-on involvement in policy creation, system rollout, and training.
  • Monitoring compliance, gathering feedback for system refinement.

WM-06: Monitoring & Improving OHS Systems (Level 5, 34 Credits)

  • Collaborating on audit procedures, root cause analyses, and trend reporting.
  • Implementing continuous improvement measures with stakeholder input.
  • Assessment & CertificationFormative Assessments: Provider-led evaluations, practical demonstrations, case studies, and simulated tasks.
  • Integrated Summative Assessment: Conducted via an external QCTO Assessment Quality Partner, reviewing knowledge, practical competencies, and workplace experience.
  • Successful candidates receive the Occupational Certificate: Safety, Health and Quality Practitioner, enabling them to lead OHS strategies in diverse organisational contexts.

Why choose our Occupational Health and Safety courses?

  • Low-pressure lesson environment.
  • Structured modular lessons.
  • We focus on both theory and practical knowledge.
  • Fully-accredited, experienced instructors.

Occupational Health and Safety Courses

Request
a Call