SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Safety Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
93813  Advanced 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
Advanced 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 07  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
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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:
The Qualification is designed to equip learners with advanced general and specialist knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety. Qualifying learners should be able to apply theory and best practice with regard to safety management in a work context, ensure effective workplace relations and training through the application of theory, and fully understand business processes and the application of safety principles and effective safety measures in practice.

Rationale:
This Qualification is intended for persons specialising in Safety Management and seeks to provide articulation possibilities to learners who have completed a Diploma or National Diploma in Safety Management. There is a dire need for suitably qualified personnel and researchers in the Safety Management industry. This qualification is designed to prepare learners for postgraduate study through the deepening of their knowledge and understanding of theories, methodologies and practices, as well as through the application of advanced problem solving to safety related problems, advice on safety in big enterprises and management of occupational health, safety and environmental programmes in such enterprises. Upon the successful completion of this qualification the incumbent will be prepared to advance to a Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Management and, thereafter, to a Professional Master's Degree in Safety Management. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
  • RPL can be used to grant learners who do not initially meet the full entry requirements admission to the qualification.
  • Learners may apply for credits or exemptions for modules already passed.
  • The qualification may be achieved in part by the assessment of competencies acquired through informal and non-formal learning.

    The RPL process is applied on a case-by-case basis, using a structured range of assessment tools, procedures and techniques, to assess the leaner's prior learning against specified level outcomes of the qualification. Assessment instruments are designed for RPL in accordance with the Institution's policies on fair and transparent assessment.

    Entry Requirements:
    To gain access to this qualification, an applicant is required to have a:
  • Diploma in Safety Management at NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Advanced Occupational Health and Safety Law I, 15 Credits.
  • Environmental Law, 15 Credits.
  • Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Management Systems, 10 Credits.
  • Labour Law, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Risk Management, 10 Credits.
  • Advanced Occupational Health and Safety Law II, 15 Credits.
  • Strategic and Project Management, 10 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship, 10 Credits.
  • Industrial and Organisational Psychology, 10 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply theory and best practice with regard to management, adherence to safety principles and legislation in a work context to ensure effective relationships between individuals and groups in an industrial environment.
    2. Gather, evaluate and manage information required for meeting safety goals and statutory requirements in industry.
    3. Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of business processes and the application of safety management skills in practice.
    4. Demonstrate integrated knowledge and understanding of safety management terms, concepts, principles, relevant legislation and regulations and theories.
    5. Demonstrate intellectual independence and critical thinking through the evaluation and application of knowledge in response to solve problems in an occupational health and safety context.
    6. Demonstrate a heightened awareness when making ethical decisions and acting professionally.
    7. Demonstrate competence in communicating ideas and opinions based on appropriate academic and professional arguments.
    8. Demonstrate knowledge and skills to conduct basic research in the field of Safety Management by making use of a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to modules and specialised learning areas, where applicable, to determine competence in the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Legislation and legal principles such as UIF, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID), legal surveys relating to occupational health and hygiene, introduction to safety audits, etc. are addressed.
  • All relevant environmental legislation and regulations impacting on industry are explained.
  • Basic principles of Labour Law and relevant labour legislation are evaluated, understood and applied in an ethical and professional way.
  • Occupational health and safety risks associated with the workplace are identified, evaluated, critiqued and reviewed.
  • The development, marketing and management functions associated with owning and operating a business are designed and performed.
  • The development, implementation and maintenance of the Safety Health and Environment (SHE) management programmes and systems as well as compliance with these programmes are assessed.
  • Current tendencies in SHE Management systems are analysed and assessed and a range of methods is applied to resolve problems and introduce change in this respect.
  • Resources are organised and managed in such a way that the project or strategic objectives are reached within defined scope, quality, time and cost constraints.
  • Individual differences in occupational safety in industry and intra-individual variables, such as personality traits, perceptions, attitudes, values and motivation are identified and assessed in order to transform organisational and individual behaviour regarding safety consciousness and awareness in industry.
  • Research themes are appropriately identified and demarcated.
  • Basic research inquiry is planned and conducted on the basis of a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies for the specific research problem.
  • Evidence of a sound understanding of relevant research theory and practice is illustrated through selected research methods, techniques and technologies.
  • Skill in formulating key findings, drawing justifiable conclusions and making feasible recommendations are displayed through a basic research report.
  • Motivations of own position to specific Safety Management debates are based on sound integration of relevant theory, practice, research and independent, creative thinking.
  • Sound understanding of own position and its feasibility in relation to major debates regarding Safety Management and practice are demonstrated through discussions.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated. Formative assessment is conducted and results in constructive feedback, which focuses on the extent of competence as measured against outcomes as a mechanism to monitor learning progress, identify weak points or limitations, and provide remedial guidance to learners for further learning and professional development.

    Summative assessment:
    A variety of assessment methods and tools may include, but are not limited to, formal tests, group assignments, projects, case studies and portfolios.

    Assessment will ensure engagement with both theory and practice. Assessment tools will encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will demand practical evidence while others will be more theoretical, depending on the type of outcomes to be assessed. A broad range of task-oriented and theoretical assessment tools will be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Advanced Diploma in Safety Management aligns well with the following international offerings:

    Advanced Diploma in Industrial Safety Management offered by Central Labour Institute, Mumbai:
    Section 40-B of the Factories Act, 1948, Regulation 93 of the Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulation, 1990, and Section 38 of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service) Act, 1996 prescribe the appointment of Safety Officers. The task of the Safety Officer is to advise and assist the management in the fulfilment of the obligations concerning prevention of occupational diseases and accident, and maintenance of safe working environment. A person should essentially possess an Advanced Diploma in Industrial Safety recognised by the government for recruitment as a safety officer in addition to other prescribed qualification and experience.

    The one-year fulltime qualification comprises the following compulsory and elective modules:

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Safety Health and Environment Management.
  • Safety in Engineering I.
  • Safety in Engineering II.
  • Quality Control in Occupational Safety, Health and Environment.
  • Safety, Health and Environment Legislation.
  • Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health.
  • Safety in Chemical Industry.

    Elective Modules:
    Any one of the following modules must be selected:
  • Safety in Engineering Industry.
  • Advanced Safety Management and Engineering Techniques.
  • Safety in Textile Industry.
  • Safety in Construction Industry.
  • Safety in Docks.
  • Environmental Management.
  • Applied Ergonomics.

    The qualification is presented through lectures, case studies laboratory work, exercise, films and study visits. Every learner is required to carry out a project work and term work during the course.

    Postgraduate Diploma in Health, Safety and Risk Management offered by the EEF/Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Health, Safety and Risk Management is designed to equip practitioners with a critical understanding of the methods, techniques and skills required to work proactively to promote a culture of safe working in organisations. The aim of the Postgraduate Diploma is to review and evaluate current techniques of health, safety and environmental management and to develop the necessary skills to enable relevant techniques to be applied at strategic and other levels within organisations.

    By the end of the qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Apply appropriate health, safety and environmental techniques at strategic and other levels within organisations.
  • Review and critically evaluate methods and techniques of health, safety and environmental management.
  • Develop understanding of environmental due diligence issues affecting organisations and enhance awareness of the ways in which health, safety and the environment integrate with the sustainability agenda.
  • Evaluate and advise upon appropriate strategic and sustainable policies for organisations, including implementation processes.
  • Interpret and advise upon EU and UK policy and legislation within the scope of health, safety and the environment.
  • Develop the research and management skills required to collect, analyse, evaluate and present information in the context of health, safety and environmental management.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Environmental Management.
  • Environmental Technology.
  • Applied Behavioural Management.
  • Strategic Risk Management.
  • Organisational Sustainability.
  • Research Methods.
  • Dissertation.

    Conclusion:
    Whilst the overall structure of these qualifications varies regarding the areas of study and credit values, the focus remains the same. Another common feature is that the Postgraduate Diploma in Health, Safety and Risk Management offered by the EEF/Oxford Brookes University also includes a research project. All the qualifications aim at ensuring that learners acquire the knowledge, skills and techniques intrinsic to Safety Management. This implies therefore that the Advanced Diploma in Safety Management compares favourably with the given international offerings. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates with relevant qualifications at NQF Level 7 and NQF Level 8.

    Horizontally with:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Community Safety and Socio-legal studies, at NQF Level 7.

    Vertically with:
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours in Management, at NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    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.
     
    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.