**SayPro Buy OHS – Occupational Health and Safety 77063

Learners will be equipped to work in the construction industry with a broad understanding and knowledge of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental legislation and controls. They will be able to deal with health and safety problems and issues on construction sites.

Qualifying learners will be able to responsibly, independently and effectively manage themselves on construction sites regarding generic health and safety issues. Learners will be able to identify and evaluate occupational safety, hygiene and environmental factors in occupational environments which may have a detrimental effect on the health and safety of people in such environments. Learners credited with this Qualification will be able to perform essential functions that promote a culture of health and safety on construction sites.

Learners credited with this qualification will be capable of:

• Using verbal, electronic and written modes to communicate in the workplace and apply mathematical processes to solve everyday numerical problems in the mitigation of identified construction workplace hazards and/or risks.
• Explaining the requirements of current, relevant legislation and accepted theories impacting on Health, Safety and Environmental issues in the construction environment.
• Recognising, assessing and reporting health and safety hazards and situations on the relevant construction site.
• Administering various functions required to ensure health and safety on construction sites to encourage safety awareness and behaviour.

  Rationale:

  Learners credited with this qualification are likely to be working mainly in the occupational safety discipline although interaction with the occupational health and environmental management disciplines is likely to take place. Learners are required to integrate practical skills with essential knowledge, to be able to take proactive and reactive measures in order to maintain a healthy and safe environment.

  There is currently a shortage of qualified occupational health, safety and environmental practitioners with specific construction industry knowledge. Due to the dynamic nature of all construction projects as opposed to the more static nature of factories and mines, as well as the fact that construction sites pose hazards more orientated towards safety than health, or hygiene specifically, it was felt that greater emphasis should be placed on occupational safety content rather than occupational hygiene and environmental management. As the currently registered National Certificate: Occupational Safety and Hygiene, NQF Level 3 contains 44% credits from the core, focused on Occupational hygiene, this clearly did not suit the training requirements identified for the construction safety practitioner.

  Occupational hygiene is the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of conditions arising in or from the workplace or occupation, which may cause illness or adverse health effects to the employee. These conditions, also referred to as occupational hygiene stress factors, are generally grouped as physical (such as noise, vibration, lighting, ventilation and others), chemical, ergonomical, biological and psychological stressors. The nature of the measurement and management of these also requires a very scientific and methodical approach, which is not generally applicable to construction project environments. The level of academic qualifications required to be able to perform occupational hygiene measurements and manage these are also much higher than the level three entry of this construction- specific qualification. This further supports the need for a more occupational safety orientated qualification at this level.

  The need is for the qualifying learner to have knowledge and skills focussing on occupational safety. Where the learner then identifies a risk due to any of the occupational hygiene stressors, the services of an Occupational Hygiene Approved Inspection Authority, registered with the Department of Labour, who are the only people allowed to practice legally in occupational hygiene, would be called in.

  The qualification of learners through this programme will increase the number of qualified practitioners available for construction sites.

  Construction Health and Safety practitioners will contribute to providing safer construction sites in the Republic of South Africa.

  According to figures of the Federated Employers Mutual Association which acts as the licensed Compensation agent for approximately 40% of the registered construction companies in South Africa, they have paid out R109,94m in the period from January 2009 to October 2009, and there are currently R126,74m of outstanding claims for the same period. This would indicate that the statistics for the other 60% of the construction industry would bring these figures to an astounding R591,7m in claims for the whole of the construction industry. Qualified practitioners will lead to a reduction in occupational related injuries and disease reducing the above compensation claims costs. Improved health and safety awareness will flow down to off-the-job attitudes improving due to more knowledge. Their contributions will improve environmental controls on sites which again will flow down to the broader community thus improving environmental management.

  The construction industry has experienced a boom over the last five years, unfortunately along with this increase construction related injuries and fatal incidents have continued at an alarming rate. The social and economic impact of occupational, health, safety and environmental incidents is immense. Direct costs that result from poor construction safety, hygiene, health, and environments include human and economic costs. Indirect costs are also incurred and can include, inter alia, poor morale, poor productivity and downtime. Improved construction health, safety and environments could influence the South African economy in direct costs alone to the value of millions of Rand each year. This qualification aims to meet the demand for learners who are able to facilitate a safe and productive occupational environment.

  This qualification is the entry level to a career path in construction health, safety and environmental management. There are generic components which will allow maximum mobility within the field of application. Skills, knowledge, values and attitudes (competencies) reflected in the qualification are building blocks towards a NQF Level 4 qualification.

  Qualifying learners will be able to show responsibility, and independently and effectively manage themselves in the workplace regarding generic and construction specific health, safety and environmental issues. Learners will be able to identify and evaluate and take appropriate action on occupational safety factors in the construction environment which may have a detrimental effect on health and safety of people in construction. Learners credited with this Qualification will be able to perform essential measurements and functions that promote a culture of health and safety in the workplace.

• Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 2.
• Communication at NQF Level 2.

  Recognition of Prior Learning:

  The Qualification can be achieved whole or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Learners obtaining the whole Qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning and wishing to be declared competent will be required to complete a practical assessment component to demonstrate competence for the purpose of such recognition. This implies that the Qualification may be granted to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses.

  Learners submitting themselves for Recognition of Prior Learning should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment, and may be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) in the prescribed format and/or undergo a workplace assessment to be assessed for formal recognition. While this is primarily a workplace-based Qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the Exit Level Outcomes. All Recognition of Prior Learning is awarded in agreement with the provider and relevant ETQA.

  Access to the Qualification:

  Access is open to all learners bearing in mind the learning assumed to be in place.

Fundamental component:

All unit standards to the value of 36 Credits are compulsory.

Core component:

All unit standards to the value of 85 Credits are compulsory.

Elective component:

The Elective Component consists of a number of unit standards from which at least 12 Credits must be attained.

2. Explain the requirements of current legislation and accepted theories impacting on health, safety and environmental issues in the construction environment.

3. Recognise, assess and report health and safety hazards and situations on the relevant construction site.

4. Administer various health and safety functions on construction sites to encourage safety awareness and behaviour.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes:

This Qualification addresses the following Critical Cross-field Outcomes, in the indicated Exit Level Outcomes:

• Identifying and solving problems in the workplace is demonstrated in the process of dealing with health and safety hazards and situations and the administration of health and safety functions.
• Working effectively with others is demonstrated in the maintenance and adherence of health, safety and environmental practices in the workplace.
• Organising and managing oneself and one’s activities responsibly and effectively is demonstrated in the practice of health, safety and environmental functions in the workplace and in the application of legislation.
• Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information is demonstrated in the application of health, safety and environmental legislation and the implementation of health, safety and environmental practices and functions.
• Communicating effectively is demonstrated throughout all communication with the stakeholders who are involved in health, safety and environmental practices and functions.
• Using science and technology effectively and critically is demonstrated in the preparation and distribution of health, safety and environmental reports and in health, safety and environmental practices.
• Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems is demonstrated through the proper application of systems, policies and procedures related to health, safety and environmental practices and functions into the general business processes.

1.1 Information from texts, reports and standard operating procedures is practically applied in the workplace in specific health, safety and environmental contexts.
1.2 All communications are addressed and responded to in accordance with the relevant workplace requirements.
1.3 Numerical conversions, calculations and measurements are performed as required in the workplace in specific health, safety and environmental contexts.
1.4 Health and safety signs, policies, standards and legislation are interpreted and explained as required by specific worksites.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

2.1 Relevant health and safety regulations are explained according to the requirements of current applicable legislation.
2.2 The health and safety environment is defined with reference to specific construction workplace principles and situations.
2.3 The concept of promoting health, safety and environmental issues is explained indicating the roles played by all stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

3.1 The consequences of poor adherence to health and safety requirements, with subsequent exposure to hazards are described in terms of the impact on people and the organisation.
3.2 Corrective and/or mitigative measures are taken to deal with construction hazards and risks in accordance with workplace specific health and safety requirements.
3.3 All identified hazards and the subsequent mitigative actions taken are recorded and reported to the relevant line manager(s).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

4.1 All health and safety functions are planned to meet specified requirements for the relevant specific workplace.
4.2 Administrative functions are performed in accordance with workplace specific health and safety requirements.
4.3 Primary emergency care requirements are met in accordance with workplace specific health and safety requirements.
4.4 Workers are observed to ensure compliance to health and safety matters during all work-related activities.
4.5 Information regarding safe and correct work methods is regularly explained to on-site workers.
4.6 Various reports of activities and findings are complied and submitted to the relevant company divisions for actioning.

Integrated Assessment:

• Learners may be credited for individual unit standards as and when they can demonstrate that they can achieve the required competencies.
• Workplace experience may be recognised when assessing this qualification.
• A range of formative and summative methods may be used in assessing learners, which may include:
  > Written and oral tests/examinations.
  > Case studies and assignments.
  > Role-play and simulation sessions.
  > Written reports/work plans.
  > Demonstrations by the learner.
  > Research projects.

  Formative assessment should be carried out at regular intervals throughout the period of study. It should be offered in an integrated manner where the theoretical and practical components are assessed together to measure learner competence.

  Summative assessment is carried out on completion of all learning components required for the Qualification, whether theoretical or practical.

Qualifications from several other non-African countries were used for comparison, especially those with economies similar to that of South Africa. The best examples of similar qualifications/courses come from Brazil and India.

Qualifications from Countries with established economies were also compared because they offer education and training that is considered to be of high quality in terms of Occupational Health and Safety practices. These countries are the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, United States of America (USA) and Canada.

Brazil:

ABEX Training Group:

Course Title: Workplace Safety Procedures (an on-line course):

• Fundamentals of Working in Safe Workplace.
• Observe Basic Safety Procedures.
• Observe Basic Emergency Procedures.
• Act Responsibility in the Workplace.
• Safe Lifting and Carrying Techniques.

  ONSITE Training Services (Approved OPITO Training):

  Course Title: Confined Space Entry:

• Atmospheric Testing.
• Confined Space Awareness.
• Working Safely with Hydrogen Sulphide.

  Course Title: Fire Safety:

• Fire Warden.
• Fire Extinguishers Users Course.

  Course Title: Health and Safety:

• Accident/Incident Reporting and Investigation.
• Abrasive Wheels Regulations.
• Asbestos Awareness.
• C.O.S.H.H. Assessor.
• C.O.S.H.H. Awareness.
• Fall Arrest Suspension and Rescue Equipment.
• Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome.
• Lifting Risks.
• Manual Handling.
• Permit to Work.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.
• Rig Pass.
• Risk Assessment.
• Safety Leadership.
• Safety Management.
• Safety Observation System.
• Safety Representatives.
• Slips, Trips and Falls.

  Course Title: Offshore Safety Training Standards (2 day):

• Manual Handling.
• Safety Observation Systems.
• Lifting Risks.
• Risk Assessment.

  India:

  PRIA Education: New Delhi:

  Course Title: Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety:

• Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety.
• Sector Specific Occupational Health and Safety Issues.
• Socio-economic aspects of Occupational Health and Safety.
• Health Screening Measures.
• Basics of Preventative Techniques.
• Occupational Health and Safety Legislation in India.
• Participatory Research in Occupational Health.

  Nayati International – Andhra Pradesh:

  Course Title: Occupational Health, Hygiene and Safety:

• Preventing and controlling Occupational Diseases and Accidents.
• Development and Promotion of Healthy and Safe Work and Work Environments.
• Enhancement of Physical, Mental and Social Well-being of Workers.
• The Development and Maintenance of Work Capacity.
• Professional and Social Development at Work.
• Conduct Socially and Economically Productive Lives.
• Contribute to Sustainable Development.

  United Kingdom:

  Institution of Occupational Safety and Health:

  Course Title: Working Safely:

• Introducing Working Safely.
• Defining Hazard and Risk.
• Identifying Common Hazards.
• Improving Safety Performance.
• Protecting Our Environment.

  Course Title: Managing safely:

• Introducing Managing Safely.
• Assessing Risks.
• Controlling Risks.
• Understanding Your Responsibilities.
• Identifying Hazards.
• Investigating Accidents and Incidents.
• Measuring Performance.
• Protecting Our Environment.

  Saftek:

  Course Title: Safety and Health Solutions:

• Adjusting to Weather Conditions.
• An Injury-Free Office.
• Avoiding Falls.
• Back Injuries.
• Colour Coding for Safety.
• Confined Space Precautions.
• Confined Space Entry.
• Construction Personal Protective Equipment.
• Crane and Hoist Safety Practices.
• Electrical Shock.
• Disaster and Emergency Preparedness.
• Emergency Evacuation.
• Employee Incidents Reporting.
• Eye Protection/Safety.
• Facts on Fire Safety.
• The ABCs of Fire Extinguishers.
• Fire Prevention.
• Foul Weather Safety.
• Fundamentals of Housekeeping.
• Guard Against Machine Hazards.
• Hand Tools.
• Handling Materials Manually.
• Safe Use of Hand Operated Tools and Equipment/Power Tools.
• Health Care Material and Patient Moving.
• Housekeeping in Health Care Facilities.
• Hidden Hazard Incidents.
• Job Site Safety.
• Keep Alert Prevention Falls.
• Lift Truck and Pedestrian Safety.
• Office Alive with Hazards.
• Office Safety.
• Practical Ergonomics.
• Practice Fire Prevention.
• Preventing Falls.
• Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls.
• Proper Clothing.
• Proper Housekeeping.
• Proper Use of Fire Extinguishers.
• Protecting Hands and Fingers.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Suit Up for Safety.
• Using Colour for Safety.
• Varying Degrees of Safety.

  British Safety Council:

  Course Title: BSC Awards Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health:

• Accidents.
• Occupational Health Provision.
• Principles of Health and Safety Law.
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Office, Penalties and Enforcement.
• Health and Safety Management.
• Risk Assessment.
• Safe Systems of Work.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Safe Workplace.
• Fire.
• Emergency Planning.
• Electrical Safety.
• Work Equipment.
• Occupational Transport.
• Construction and Demolition.
• Working at Height.
• Manual Handling.
• Mechanical Handling and Lifting Operations.
• Chemical and Biological Hazards.
• Display Screen Equipment and Workstations.
• Group at Particular Risk.
• Reporting, Recording and Investigating Incidents.
• Developing a Positive Health and Safety Culture.
• Protecting the Environment.

  Course Title: Principles of Health and Safety:

• Accidents.
• International Occupational Health and Safety.
• Occupational Health Provision.
• Health and Safety Management.
• Risk Assessment.
• Safe Systems of Work.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Safe Workplace.
• Health and Safety Monitoring.
• Health and Safety Policies.

  Course Title: Applied Health and Safety:

• Fire Precautions.
• Emergency Planning.
• Electrical Safety.
• Work Equipment.
• Workplace Transport.
• Construction and Demolition.
• Manual and Mechanical Handling.
• Display Screen Equipment and Workstations.
• Substance Safety.
• Groups at Particular Risk.
• Reporting, Recording and Investigating Incidents.
• Developing a Positive Health and Safety Culture.
• Protecting the Environment.

  The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA):

  Course Title: NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Safety:

• Scope of construction.
• Safe stacking and storage of materials and flammable substances.
• Main hazards and controls.
• Management controls and responsibilities.
• Working above ground level -hazards controls and inspection.
• Excavations-hazards, controls and inspection requirements.
• Health hazards, noise, vibration, dust, cement, solvents, cleaners.
• Course Title: NEBOSH National General Certificate: Block Route.
• Provide an understanding of health and safety legislation.
• Monitor safety performance in the workplace.
• Investigate accidents.
• Design and implement safe systems of work and accident prevention programmes.

  Safety Media:

  Course Title: Manual Handling:

• Causes of Workplace Accidents.
• Understanding How to Lift Correctly.
• Guidance on the Correct Lifting Procedure.
• Handy Hints on the Do’s and Don’ts of Manual Handling.

  Course Title: Fire Safety:

• Correct Procedure Should a Fire Start?
• Guidance on How Fires Start.
• How to Prevent Them.

  Course Title: Office Safety:

• Alert Employees to Possible Risks and Hazards in an Office.

  Course Title: COSHH:

• Raise Awareness in the Safe Handling and Use of Hazardous Substances.

  Course Title: Health and Safety for Managers:

• Understanding Principles of Health And Safety Management.
• Knowledge How to Make a Difference in the Workplace.
• Contribute to the Process of Reducing Loss to Business Through Injuries.
• Ill Health and Damage Incidents.

  Course Title: Health and Safety Induction:

• Areas within the workplace where they could face danger.

  Course Title: Risk Assessment:

• Range of Hazards.
• Information on how to Identify a Risk and a Hazard.
• Conduct a Risk Assessment.
• Course Title: Working at Height.
• Risk Activity.
• Fatalities.
• Work Safely.
• follow safe working.

  Australia:

  National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA):

  Course Title: Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety:

• A Knowledge of the Current OHS Act and Regulations.
• Codes of Practice and Standards.
• Consequences of Exposure to Health Hazards at Work.
• An Understanding of The Skills to Recognise, Evaluate and Manage Health and Safety Hazards in the Workplace.
• An Understanding of the Skills to Administer Various Occupational Health and Safety Functions, Planning, Policy Development and Ethics.

  Course Title: Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety:

• Implement and Support the OHS Management Systems.
• Prepare Workplace Personnel for Dealing with OHS Issues.
• Ensure Legislative Requirements are Applied.
• Implement OHS Initiatives and Processes.
• Organisational OHS Goals and Objectives.
• United States of America::

  National Environmental, Safety and Health Training Association (NESHTA):

  Course Title: Certified Environmental, Safety and Health Trainer (CET):

• Accident Prevention and Hazard Awareness.
• Industrial Hygiene.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Emergency Response.
• Regulatory Standards.
• Fire Prevention/Protection.

  Canada:

  Industrial Accidental Prevention Association (IAPA):

  Course Title: Health and Safety Solutions:

• Health Safety and The Law.
• Workplace Safety.
• Workplace Inspections.
• Workplace Health.
• Accident Investigations.
• Joint Health and Safety Committees.

  Bright Training and Safety Wear:

  Course Title: Joint Health Safety Committee Certification Training:

• Joint Health and Safety Committee Members.
• Accident Investigations and Injury Prevention.
• Pedestrian Safety.
• Blood borne Pathogens Training.
• Emergency Preparedness.
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods.
• Hazard Identification.
• Risk Management.
• Machine Guarding.
• Ergonomics Training.
• Fall and Arrest.

  Course Title: Industrial Equipment:

• Industrial Forklift Training.
• Lift Truck Training Operator Evaluation.
• Propane Handling.
• Overhead Crane/Sling Operator.
• Confined Entry Space Awareness.
• Lockout, Tagout/Power Presses.
• OSHA Standards Lock Out Tag Out.
• Entrapment Rescue.
• Hazardous Materials.
• Environmental Spills Training.
• Aerial Platform.
• Punch Press Operator Course.
• Low Lift Pallet Truck.
• Improving Safety Performance.
• Protecting Our Environment.

  Conclusion: Qualifications from the United Kingdom seem to indicate best practice because of the strictness in observance of health and safety practices and in the provision of training and development in this field. The National Certificate: Construction Health and Safety Management, NQF Level 3, compares favourably with equivalent courses offered in the United Kingdom. Differences in training in South Africa are created through the need to comply with South African legislative requirements. Training in the area of OHS in South Africa has shown to be in demand in several countries of the SADC region and further afield in sub-Saharan Africa. It can thus be concluded that this Qualification compares favourably with international best practice.

• ID 50062: National Certificate: Occupational Hygiene and Safety, NQF Level 3.
• ID 60249: National Certificate: Primary Response in Emergencies, NQF Level 3.
• ID 49128: National Certificate: Community Health Work, NQF Level 3.
• ID 49752: National Certificate: Environmental Practice, NQF Level 3.

  Vertically, this Qualification articulates with:

• ID 50063: Further Education and Training Certificate: Occupational Hygiene and Safety, NQF Level 4.
• ID 64697: Further Education and Training Certificate: Community Health Work, NQF Level 4.
• ID 50309: Further Education and Training Certificate: Environmental Practice, NQF Level 4.

• Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
• Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
• Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the Qualification, unless ETQA policies specifies otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual Unit Standards, Exit Level Outcomes as well as the integrated competence described in the Qualification.
• Anyone wishing to be assessed against this Qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.

• Be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
• Be in possession of a relevant Qualification at NQF Level 4 or higher.