Why Study Occupational Health and Safety Courses?

• 1 September 2021

When career options are discussed at schools or amongst family members, a career in occupational health and safety is often not spoken about. This job field often goes unnoticed, yet occupational health and safety practices are critical for every business in any industry. We look into the reasons behind how you can benefit from studying occupational health and safety courses. We also explore the available Emcare courses that will provide you with the knowledge and skills to become successful in your career in occupational health and safety.  

Occupational Health and Safety:

Occupational health and safety are the practices of ensuring that workplaces are safe for both employees and employers. Occupational health and safety will ensure that the workplace is free from hazards and risks that can cause physical, emotional, or social harm to employees. Occupational health and safety also protect employers from liabilities of having an unsafe work environment and reduces their risk of property damage. 

The South African Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHS Act 85) prescribes rules and regulations around workplace safety. Every business needs to comply with these regulations, and therefore every business requires an occupational health and safety professional. Studying an occupational health and safety course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to be a critical part of any business. 

Reasons to Study Occupational Health and Safety Courses in South Africa: 

There are numerous reasons why you can benefit from studying occupational health and safety courses in South Africa. 

A Qualification in Health and Safety is Important: 

If you are interested in the occupational health and safety field, you need to be qualified to handle the work requirements. There are various workplace safety responsibilities that you will be in charge of. These include upholding the OHS Act 85 regulations, creating specific workplace safety protocols, and consistently ensuring that the workplace remains safe for employees, employers, and visitors. 

This amount of responsibility, therefore, requires correct training and theoretical understanding. Studying an occupational health and safety course will ensure that you are adequately trained and informed on how to create the safest workplace possible within South African regulations. 

Job Opportunities: 

Every industry has hazards or risks which require a professional in occupational health and safety to manage, monitor, and control. This means that there are numerous job opportunities in a wide range of businesses to find employment. From mining to manufacturing to retail, you can easily find an occupational health and safety job that suits your interests and experiences. 

Additionally, industries are constantly evolving, and with this comes new opportunities for workplace safety requirements. You will always have the opportunity to build on your current health and safety knowledge to then apply your skills to these ever-changing issues. 

Full-time Career: 

There are also numerous industries that require a full-time employee with an occupational health and safety qualification. Studying an occupational health and safety course, therefore, does not only open doors to multiple job opportunities, but they offer you the chance to enjoy a stable career in which you can become a professional. 

We have listed a few of the various career opportunities within the occupational health and safety field. 

1. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist. 
2. Occupational Health and Safety Inspector. 
3. Safety Officer. 
4. Health and Safety Representative. 

Rewarding: 

The ever-present risk of workplace hazards in every industry means that workplace safety needs to be the top priority of every business. When businesses priorities creating a safe working environment, both the employees and employers benefit in these various ways. 

1. Reduced Injuries: Employees in safe working environments are at less risk of injuries, health problems, and death. This is extremely important to create a workplace that employees feel comfortable working in. 
2. Reduced Business Liabilities: If an employee is injured due to an unsafe working environment, the business will be held liable. Ensuring that the workplace is safe will help businesses stay protected from any legal consequences relating to a workplace accident. 
3. Reduced Damage to Property: When there is the risk of employee injury, there is also the risk of property damage. Workplace fires, explosions, transportation accidents, or exposure to hazardous chemicals can damage or destroy your business property, products, or services. Creating a safe working environment will therefore reduce your risks of unnecessary expenses to your business. 
4. Attracts Employees: A safe working environment will ensure that your current employees are devoted to working for your company, and attract other potential employees. For organisations that need a larger workforce, your business production process can be severely affected if you are understaffed due to poor working conditions. 
5. Productivity: Employees who work in a safe workplace will work more efficiently and effectively, therefore reducing operational costs and grow the business’s bottom line. 

Studying an occupational health and safety course is rewarding as it enables you to be the person who creates a safe working environment from which both employees and employers can benefit.

 

Good Earning Potential: 

Depending on your level of qualification and experience, you have the opportunity to earn a good income in the occupational health and safety field. Therefore, the initial cost of studying occupational health and safety courses will quickly be rewarded with a suitable income career. 

Emcare Occupational Health and Safety Courses: 

When it comes to occupational health and safety courses, Emcare is one of the best in the industry. Emcare is a health and safety training company that is dedicated to providing well-rounding theoretical and practical knowledge around health and safety. 

We offer a wide range of accredited occupational health and safety courses. You can easily find Emcare occupational health and safety courses to study that will ensure you are equipped to begin a career or further your knowledge within your chosen occupational health and safety profession.

The Emcare Health and Safety Representative Course will provide you with adequate practical training on how to handle the requirements of working as a health and safety representative. A major focus in this course is on reflexive learning so that you are equipped with the skills to make correct decisions and act in the best way to ensure every employee is safe in your working environment. This course is completed in one day. 

The Emcare Accident Incident Investigation Course is focused on providing you with the knowledge and skills to be able to investigate any incidents or accidents at your workplace. You will also learn the relevant laws within the OHS Act 85 regarding specific incidents and accidents, and how to claim employee or business compensation from the Compensation Commissioner. This course has a duration of one day. 

The Emcare OHS Act Course will ensure that you can understand and interpret OHS Act 85. This is pertinent to ensure that you can implement this act into your workplace so that your workplace is always health and safety compliant. This course is also completed in one day. 

The Emcare one-day-long Risk Assessment Course provides you with the skills to assess your working environment for any risks or hazards and create a safety plan specifically for your workplace. You will also learn how to evaluate current safety measures in the workplace and improve on them. 

If you need help selecting between the Emcare occupational health and safety courses, we recommend the Health and Safety Supervisors Course. The Health and Safety Supervisors Course is an all-around course as it covers the Health and Safety Representative Course, the Accident Incident Investigation Course, the OHS Act Course, and the Risk Assessment Course. 

The Emcare Heal and Safety Supervisors Course cover every aspect to create a successful career in the health and safety field. You can do each of these Emcare courses individually, but it is far more time-effective to do the Emcare Health and Safety Supervisors Course. The Health and Safety Supervisors Course will take two days to complete and you will receive a certificate that is valid for two years. 

Emcare also offers an OHS Workshop. This is an engaging opportunity where you can sit with like-minded students and discuss, learn, and further your understanding of the OHS Act 85. We recommend doing this OHS Workshop after completing your Health and Safety Supervisors Course or the OHS Act Course so that you can easily participate in a conversation or quickly pick up gaps in your understanding. The OHS Workshop will take between four to eight hours depending on the size of the group. 

Emcare is here to provide you with the knowledge and skills to be a successful professional in the occupational health and safety field. 

Why Choose the Emcare Occupational Health and Safety Courses: 

No matter which Emcare occupational health and safety course you choose to study, you will reap these benefits from selecting Emcare for your occupational health and safety training. 

Accessible:  

The Emcare occupational health and safety courses are available at all of the Emcare branches. The Emcare branches are located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Hoedspruit, Durban, Polokwane, and Port Elizabeth. This ensures that no matter which province you are located in, you have nearby access to Emcare occupational health and safety training. 

Emcare will also come to your business premises for groups of ten or more if you are wishing to enrol; your employees in one of the Emcare occupational health and safety courses. 

Accredited: 

Emcare is an accredited health and safety training company. We are accredited and affiliated with these various bodies. 

• Department of Labour. 
• Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA). 
• Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA). 
• South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh). 
• Fire Fit. 
• EduCert.
• Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA). 
• South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 
• Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA). 
• Train Learn Develop Group. 

Our accreditation with these regulatory bodies ensures that our occupational health and safety courses are constantly monitored and upheld to the standards and regulations of South Africa. 

Professional: 

The Emcare team consists of qualified, trained, and experienced facilitators who will offer you a professional service when conducting our occupational health and safety training. 

Affordable: 

The Emcare occupational health and safety courses ensure that you are fully equipped and receive a high standard of theoretical and practical training at an affordable rate. 

The Certificate is Valid for Two Years: 

On completion of the Emcare occupational health and safety courses, you will receive a certificate that is valid for two years. The Emcare certificate demonstrates that you can work in your selected field for two years, but will need to renew your certificate when it expires. The two-year validity is to ensure that you are always up to date and meeting the standards of occupational health and safety in South Africa. 

Study the Emcare occupational health and safety courses and enjoy the multiple benefits of a career in the health and safety field.