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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118667  Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Safety in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0333/25  2025-07-10  2028-07-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-07-10   2032-07-10  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Management is to strengthen working professionals/ learners' knowledge and skills in the field of safety management. This will enable learners to recognise, implement and manage strategic safety management in all industries. Learners are introduced to research in safety management as applicable in the workplace, providing a platform for working professionals to undertake advanced reflection and development through a systematic survey of current thinking and research methods. A practical focus on the management of prevention through design is supported by insights into operational risk management and sustainable development. Learners are prepared for Master's level studies and senior management level occupational development by developing intellectual independence and theoretical engagement, empowering learners with the skills required to relate knowledge to a range of safety management contexts.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding founded on the nature, purpose, procedure, requirements, and practices of scientific research to facilitate new knowledge generation in the field of safety management.
  • Apply the necessary knowledge and skills to develop and implement strategic safety management decisions by interrogating multiple sources of information in the process of knowledge production
  • Solve problems by applying the principles of the management of prevention through design with the view of developing skills to identify and eliminate hazards during the design phase of a project.
  • Apply the principles of operational risk management with the view of developing and utilizing an operational risk management platform to address enterprise risks and their underlying causes.
  • Access, process and manage information on the key themes of sustainable development to critically review topics such as environmental crisis, sustainable development policy and sustainable development practice in an African context.

    Rationale:
    An appropriate qualification is required due to the continuous changes that occur in the service, manufacturing, construction, and mining environment to address the shortage of individuals in various industries with the requisite safety management knowledge and skills to execute their duties efficiently and effectively, thereby presenting the ideal opportunity for the introduction of a Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Management.

    The institution identified the need for a qualification in Safety Management to serve the needs of senior managers and to support and improve safety management systems in a variety of organisations. After a consultation process with industry representatives, professional bodies and learners

    This qualification will target persons employed in senior management level positions as well as those who aspire to advance their careers towards senior management level positions within the field of safety management. This qualification will also allow learners to move from other management specialisations towards further research qualifications in Safety Management.

    The qualification is designed to meet the needs of service, manufacturing, construction, and mining sectors for employees with the appropriate critical, analytical, organisational and practical research skills in the following key management and business disciplines: strategic management, operations management, risk management, sustainable development and safety management. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal, and non-formal learning and work experience. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. RPL is applied in terms of the policy and criteria of the institution. The necessary documentary evidence will have to be provided and a formal RPL process will be followed. The institution will apply in this qualification the RPL for both access and credits in line with the National Policy and Criteria for the Implementation of RPL (Amended in March 2019).

    RPL for Access:
    Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements of the required qualification may be considered for RPL. There are two options:
  • Advanced Standing, in which case the minimum entry requirements are waived by the admitting institution based on evidence of prior learning, work experience or any other relevant circumstances that may apply to an individual learner. No portfolio is required.
    OR
  • Applicants may provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that the applicant has acquired sufficient relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies to be able to reasonably meet the expectations for learning demanded by the qualification for which they are seeking access.
  • In instances where RPL is applied for the purposes of access, no credits will be awarded for any previous learning. However, the candidate may choose the option of being assessed for credit.

    RPL for credits:
    Learners who do meet the necessary entry requirements for admission to a qualification may be awarded some or all the credits towards the qualification. There are two possibilities:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from a module or some modules by providing sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that a level of competency, equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module or modules, has been achieved. Credits will be awarded for such modules.
    OR
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be awarded all the credits required for the qualification. Sufficient evidence must be provided that demonstrates a level of competency equivalent to all the learning outcomes of the qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Advanced Diploma in Safety Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Construction in Health and Safety Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Any related qualification in the related field, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8,120 Credits:
  • Research in Safety Management, 24 Credits.
  • Strategic Safety Management, 24 Credits.
  • The management of Prevention through Design, 24 Credits.
  • Operational Risk Management, 24 Credits.
  • Sustainable Development: Policy, Practice and Environment, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding founded on the nature, purpose, procedure, requirements, and practices of scientific research to facilitate new knowledge generation in the field of safety management.
    2. Apply the necessary knowledge and skills to develop and implement strategic safety management decisions by interrogating multiple sources of information in the process of knowledge production
    3. Solve problems by applying the principles of the management of prevention through design with the view of developing skills to identify and eliminate hazards during the design phase of a project.
    4. Apply the principles of operational risk management with the view of developing and utilizing an operational risk management platform to address enterprise risks and their underlying causes.
    5. Access, process and manage information on the key themes of sustainable development to critically review topics such as environmental crisis, sustainable development policy and sustainable development practice in an African context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Integrate knowledge of the science of safety into the planning of a research project.
  • Address community needs and contribute to the body of knowledge by conducting research in the safety management environment.
  • Communicate research professionally in practice based on consistent involvement with research as safety practitioners.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply detailed insight and knowledge of the nature, elements, focus, purpose, and objective of strategic safety management in relation to the study object of safety as a science.
  • Conduct and apply the planning, implementation and monitoring of strategic safety management by demonstrating detailed insight and knowledge of aligning safety and functional strategies while differentiating relevant responsibility and accountability.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply the management process to the management of safety risks.
  • Critically evaluate different hazard analysis methods and establish the impact of opinions and human errors on safety risks.
  • Distinguish between various ergonomic methods and models of human design to conduct job evaluations as part of the design for safety process in relation to working environment conditions and the design of work areas.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Integrate knowledge of risk management strategy and operational risk with the ability to analyse key elements of corporate governance and an integrated approach to risk management.
  • Develop a risk management framework by critically evaluating the risk management strategic planning process, enterprise-wide risk management and the role of technology in risk assessment and management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Analyse identified themes within the domain of sustainable development practice and apply them to practical examples in environmental and sustainable development.
  • Critically assess natural resource allocation and management strategies and policies in relation to climate change, GMCs, crop biotechnology and sustainable food production. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification was compared against International Quality Standards:
    Qualifications similar to the Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Management are offered at several international institutions. These qualifications are referred to as graduate diplomas. Within the Australian and New Zealand, higher education system qualification level indicators are used, similar to the NQF levels, known as Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels.

    Relevant qualifications in the field of safety management include:

    Country: Australia
    Institution: RMIT University
    Qualification Title: Graduate Diploma Occupational Health and Safety.
    Qualification structure:
    This qualification covers aspects such as work health and safety and the organisation, in line with module SMA4802. and work health and safety intervention project, in line with module SMA4803.

    Country: Australia
    Institution: Curtin University
    Qualification Title: Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.
    Qualification structure:
    This qualification includes risk management & safety technology, in line with SMA4803 and RSK4801, health and safety economics & management in line with SMA4802 and health research methods, in line with SMA4801.

    Country: United States of America
    Institution: Columbia Southern University
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Science Occupational Safety and Health.
    Qualification structure:
    This qualification includes topics such as principles of management, in line with SMA4802), risk manager RSK4801, applied safety science (SMA4803) and advanced concepts in environmental safety management, in line with DVA4804.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: Glasgow Caledonian University
    Qualification structure:
    This qualification includes modules on health and safety risk management, in line with RSK4801, environmental risk management (DVA4804) and management strategy and practice, in line with SMA4802.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: TÜV Rheinland Group- Risktec Solutions- Liverpool John Moores University
    Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in Risk and Safety Management (e-learning/open)
    Duration: Two years part-time

    Comparison:
    The qualification shares similar purpose, rationale, entry requirements, structure, and articulation with the South African qualification in the following way.
    Purpose/Rationale:
    The qualification gives learners the opportunity to equip themselves with the practical skills they need to excel in their professional roles in risk and safety management.
    The qualification requires the completion of 12 modules for 2 years. These cover a range of specific topics related to Risk Assessment, Management Systems, Leadership, Research & Reporting and Software, but also include several sector-specific modules designed for the Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Marine, Rail and Renewables sectors.

    The PgDip in Risk and Safety Management is designed for staff working in process safety, technical safety, safety engineering or nuclear safety in major hazard industries.

    Entry requirements:
    Candidates must have a relevant Bachelor degree or 5+ years of relevant work experience. They must also have proven English language capability and broadband Internet access.
    Structure:
    Learners are required to complete twelve (12) modules to gain 120 credits. Learners engage in online activities including tests, discussions, and group tasks. Support from the module teacher is available throughout the qualification.
    Articulation:
    The qualification articulates vertically into Master of Sciences.

    Differences:
  • The qualification consists of 12 modules while the South African qualification comprises of five modules.
  • The qualification is offered online only while the South African qualification follows a face-to-face and/or blended online learning approach.
  • The qualification includes several sector-specific modules designed for the Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Marine, Rail and Renewables sectors whereas the South African qualification does not offer these modules.

    Country: Mauritius
    Institution: Honoris Educational Network: MANCOSA
    Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Risk Management
    NQF Level 8
    Credits: 120
    Duration: One year fulltime
    Entry Requirements
    A Bachelor's degree or equivalent NQF level 7 qualification

    Similarities:
    The qualification is comparable to the South African qualifications in terms of the following aspects.
    Purpose/Rationale:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Risk Management from MANCOSA facilitates a streamlined approach needed by organisations to combat the broad negative effects of risks that are unforeseen while strengthening and deepening knowledge in an existing qualification. This will allow graduates to be able to anticipate problems, develop risk identification and control programs aimed at minimising risk resulting in a comprehensive and valid report through developing and analysing a model to implement quantitative risk management methodologies.

    This Risk Management qualification seeks to address the dearth of qualifications in risk management in the industry. Furthermore, it seeks to facilitate and build upon existing knowledge for those already finance professionals; an entrepreneur; a manager or an employer with risk management needs. The qualification Equips learners to change the business environment to drive growth and develop an advanced understanding of business management.

    The qualification is directed at those with existing vocational qualifications, wishing to enter the postgraduate study, as well as those with technical qualifications seeking to enter management positions. Graduates will develop the skills required to effectively perform key risk management tasks. Through coursework, the qualification will build skills by taking a holistic approach and covering the core components in risk management.

    Upon successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Risk Management, the learner should be able to:
  • Understand the evolution and importance of establishing a risk management culture.
  • Display an understanding of the risk management framework and risk-specific modelling as a means of assessing risk to promote and grow the organisation.
  • Employ integrated knowledge to solve complex risk management problems in an organisation and pose viable solutions.
  • Identify and mitigate risk relating to an individual project or organisation.
  • Understand the role of management and leadership in organisational success.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of varying risks within the different corporate levels of an organisation
  • Engage in self-directed learning.
  • Possess the ability to identify and manage the various types of fraud that is prevalent within an organisational context.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of ethics, compliance, and accountability and
  • Apply the concepts of risk mapping and risk modelling to process information for decision making.

    Career Opportunities include:
  • Risk Control Officer.
  • Risk Management Consultant.
  • Risk Manager.
  • Compliance Manager.
  • Enterprise Risk Management Consultants.

    Qualification structure:
    Similar to the South African qualification, this qualification offers the following compulsory modules:

    Semester One
  • Introduction to Risk Management.
  • Risk Management Framework and Measuring.
  • Risk Modelling.
  • Corporate Governance, Ethics and Risk.

    Semester Two
  • Strategic Management.
  • Forensic Auditing.
  • Corporate Risk Management.
  • Project Communication and Risk Management.

    Assessments:
    Four modules are assessed per semester. All four modules are assessed in the formative assessment format.

    Differences:
    The qualification has eight modules while the South African qualification consists of five modules.
  • The qualification has no research module whereas the South African qualification has a research component to prepare learners for Masters studies.
  • The South African qualification include both formative and summative assessments while the Mauritian qualification has only formative assessment.

    Conclusion:
    Best practices have been identified from leading institutions locally and abroad, ensuring that the curriculum and content are relevant and addresses the needs of both industry and prospective learners. The South African qualification is comparable to the above international qualifications in terms of content, purpose, rationale and learning outcomes.
    This qualification is in line with what is offered in the field of safety management internationally. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Risk Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Health and Safety Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Construction in Health and Safety Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Transport and Logistics, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Operations Management, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.