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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Safety Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101161  Diploma in Safety Management 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Safety in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification is intended to afford the successful learner professional, vocational and sound understanding of the general theoretical principles and their applications in the field of Occupational Health and Safety.

Rationale:
  • A qualified learner will have the competence to independently implement and manage a successful safety qualification in a medium to big enterprise. The qualified learner will be able to register, given the fact that he complies to other set requirements, with the Board of Registration for Occupational Health, Safety and Associated Professionals, as an Occupational Safety Practitioner. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The Institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and procedures are followed. Learners who do not meet entry requirements can apply for access to the qualification through RPL against a module, or part/full qualification for learning obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning. Learners need to submit a Portfolio of Evidence which will be internally assessed. Credits may be awarded based on the assessment results and learners have the opportunity to appeal against the assessment result where credits were not awarded.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum requirement is:
  • National Senior Certificate. National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 5 and 6 totalling at 372 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 216 Credits:
  • Computing for Safety Management, 6 Credits.
  • Management 1.2, 12 Credits.
  • Risk Management 1.2, 10 Credits.
  • Business Management 1.1, 12 Credits.
  • Safety Principles and Practice 1.1, 18 Credits.
  • Risk Management 1.1, 10 Credits.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Law 1.1, 18 Credits.
  • Safety Principles and Practice 1.2, 18 Credits.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Law 1.2, 18 Credits.
  • Information Communication Technology(ICT) Skills 1, 10 Credits.
  • Quantitative Techniques 1.2, 12 Credits.
  • The Personnel Function 1.2, 9 Credits.
  • Quantitative Techniques 1.1, 12 Credits.
  • The Personnel Function 1.1, 9 Credits.
  • Language and Life Skills 1.2, 12 Credits.
  • Language and Life Skills 1.1, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Management 1.2, 9 Credits.
  • Financial Management 1.1, 9 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 156 Credits:
  • Occupational Health and Safety Law 2.1, 18 Credits.
  • Safety Principles and Practice 2.1, 18 Credits.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Law 2.2, 18 Credits.
  • Safety Principles and Practice 2.2, 18 Credits.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Law 3.2, 24 Credits.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Law 3.1, 24 Credits.
  • Safety Principles and Practice 3.1, 18 Credits.
  • Safety Principles and Practice 3.2, 18 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply general and safety management principles and Occupational Health and Safety(OHS) legislation.
    2. Identify, assess, control and monitor risk.
    3. Design, implement and maintain a safety qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Explain the practical application of the principles, practices and ethics of safety in South Africa.
  • Explain how data may be used to identify corrective actions.
  • Discuss behaviour-based safety giving specific attention to the history, principles, barriers to implementation, the role of human behaviour and critical behaviours.
  • Explain the application of behaviour-based safety.
  • Identify, in any given case study, the applicable sections of the following acts: Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act 45 of 1965 National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977 Explosives Act 26 of 1956 Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act 78 of 1973 Nuclear Energy Act 131 of 1993 Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995.
  • Describe the implementation and/or enforcement within the workplace, of the following acts: Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act 45 of 1965 National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977 Explosives Act 26 of 1956 Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act 78 of 1973 Nuclear Energy Act 131 of 1993 Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 3.
  • Provide an opinion of the legal position in any given case study, in terms of the following acts: Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act 45 of 1965 National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977 Explosives Act 26 of 1956 Occupational Diseases in Mines and Work Act 78 of 1973 Nuclear Energy Act 131 of 1993 Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 Basic conditions of Employment act 75 of 1997 Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995.
  • Discuss the functions of management as applied to a specific situation.
  • Discuss the theories of management applicable to a specific situation.
  • Discuss the different management styles and their application in different circumstance.
  • Discuss change management as applied to a specific situation.
  • Discuss the application of project management to a specific situation.
  • Discuss the motivational theories that might apply to a specific situation.
  • Discuss problem solving as a function of management.
  • Discuss the management of all resources that might be available to the safety manager to execute his/her task.
  • Discuss human resource management as a function of the safety, health and environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Explain the application of selected hazard identification techniques.
  • Explain the application of selected risk assessment techniques.
  • Interpret the outcomes of risk assessment and implement appropriate measures.
  • Interpret assessment data to apply to an OH&S training program.
  • Discuss risk control as a step in the risk management process.
  • Discuss an effective information system to enhance the risk management process.
  • Discuss compensation data as a tool to enhance risk management decisions.
  • Discuss the risk management process in detail, focusing on types of risk and liability risks.
  • Discuss the interrelationship between managers responsible for safety management and risk management.
  • Explain the data resources available to the safety manager.
  • Discuss the use of statistical analysis of data to enhance safety decision making.
  • Identify and apply the appropriate statistical technique to a specific situation.
  • Describe the definitions of occupational hygiene, occupational medicine and environment with reference to the roles played by each in relation to safety management.
  • Discuss occupational health exposures in detail with reference its impact on safety and the environment.
  • Describe the interaction of the various legislative components that impact on health, safety and the environment.
  • Discuss the cost implications of incidents relating to health, safety and the environment as well as the interaction between the three.
  • Discuss the interaction between control measures aimed at health safety and the environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Describe the principles of a safety management system, such as that recommended by the International Standards Organisation (ISO).
  • Design a safety management system to satisfy the needs of any given situation.
  • Determine the standards, criteria, policies, procedures and codes necessary for the implementation and maintenance of this system.
  • Design a monitoring, control and review system to ensure compliance to this system.
  • Discuss the interaction between the safety system, organisational structure and management's responsibility to occupational health, safety and the environment.
  • Discuss the place of safety management in the company's strategic management process.
  • Write an annual occupational safety systems review report.
  • Describe the adult learning principles and assessment of learning as applicable to an occupational health, safety and environmental training program.
  • Discuss the of an occupational health, safety and environmental training course including needs material, compiling of lesson plans, use of media and assessment of learning.
  • Discuss record keeping for occupational health, safety and environmental training.
  • Write an evaluation report for an occupational health, safety and environmental training program.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Both formative and summative assessments are integral components of all modules within the qualification and have application to both traditional summative and continuous assessment, ensuring overall applied competence. All teaching and learning activities in the qualification are aligned to the assessment approach of the individual modules indicating a constructive alignment approach in the design of the qualification. The assessment activities form an integral part of the teaching and learning process and are systematically and purposefully used to generate data for grading. Timely feedback provided to the learners forms part of the assessment strategy of the institution and is used to inform teaching and learning and to improve the curriculum. Learning outcomes in all modules give an indication as to what will be assessed in the module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    There are similar international qualifications, but individual institutions have unique offerings which may/may not articulate with this qualification entirely. There is undoubtedly synergy in courses with variations ranging from slight to extreme synergy-depending on the institution. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This allows qualification horizontal and vertical articulation:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Diploma in Non-destructive Testing, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advance Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, Level 7.
  • Advance Diploma in Safety Management, Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Vaal University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.