Safety Officer Course: Why Hospitals Need Safety Protocols

A safety officer course provides essential skills that account for risks and hazards in the workplace. Not only is it an essential skill, but it is a legislative requirement in any organisation in South Africa. These include both private and public hospitals which make use of numerous safety officers. Different types of safety officers ensure the safety of patients and doctors alike, in all capacities and wards.

Safety officer courses equip professionals in these environments and occupations to do their jobs with attentiveness and the appropriate protocols. EMCARE's safety officer course accounts for all types of training required and provides both practical and theoretical training on all the components of being a safety officer. In this article, we take a look at why hospitals need safety officers and how EMCARE provides accredited, affordable and appropriate training to equip your staff.

South African Legislation For Safety Officers

Health and safety regulations have been prioritised in South Africa as a proactive measure to avoid harm in the workplace. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and Amendment Act 181 establish occupational health and safety as a priority in which there needs to be appointed staff and advisory measures to regulate safety, maintain health policies and conduct appropriate inspections and risk assessments.

Having safety officers trained in the relevant measures and practical training also ensures the South African legislative bodies' different standards are being adhered to. All safety officers need to be suitably trained and qualified as their roles are imperative and consequential if not done correctly.

The Risks Faced In Hospitals Without Safety Officers

Without safety officers in healthcare organisations, risks increase that threaten patients and medical staff's health and safety. Hospitals pose many risks to not only patients and staff but also families and friends who visit, doctors who are not permanently staffed - and even delivery drivers. Things like hazardous materials - when not handled correctly - can affect and hurt many individuals.

Additionally, emergency sections of hospitals face several unknown situations, and having safety officers ensures protocols and measures are being followed to account for previous and potential situations that arise.

Safety officers handle both the documentative and active roles that protect those in their environment - without them, there is a lack of communication, documentation, resources and operational assistance. Safety officers are also responsible for training staff, their training and development create a chain reaction of health and safety throughout the hospital.

For instance, safety officers were responsible for monitoring and ensuring COVID protocols were being followed by those in, working and visiting the hospital. The risk of spreading the virus was monitored, and assessed and procedures were put into place to prioritise health and safety by safety officers.

Types Of Safety Officers In Hospitals

To understand the scope of how imperative safety officers are in hospitals, and why a safety officer course is needed - below are some of the numerous aspects of hospitals that need to be equipped with trained and efficient safety officers.

1. Safety Officers For Machinery:
   Hospitals are filled with equipment, machinery and technology that needs to be accounted for and meet health and safety standards. Safety officers are also trained to interact with these components and train others to do so safely.
   
   
2. Hazard Safety Officer:
   Hospitals carry some extreme risks; waste, bloodborne and airborne pathogens and ergonomic hazards are among some of the risks. Safety officers ensure the proper methods are used to dispose of any waste and protective gear is worn when necessary.
   
   
3. Community Safety Officer:
   Community events that are run in hospitals for long-term patients, often the elderly or paediatric patients - need to be run and monitored by safety officers. This encourages the community while accounting for the potential of incidents and appropriate investigations if something occurs.

EMCARE's Safety Officer Course

EMCARE provides a wide range of health and safety training. We are accredited and reputable, providing leading training through branches all over South Africa. Our safety officer course in particular is accredited by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (SAIOSH). The course is instructed by facilitators who have qualifications in the relevant fields or more than 1000 hours of work experience. The following modules are taught in our safety officer course:

• Basic principles of SHE REP
• Legislation
• Occupational Health
• Risk Assessment (HIRA)
• Contractor Safety Management
• Technical Safety
• Environmental Management
• Management Systems
• Accident Incident Investigation
• Health and safety file implementation
• OHAS Act

Additionally, all three levels of first aid, basic firefighting and emergency evacuation protocols are all covered in this 2-week course. An online assessment is completed after the course to receive a certificate of validity. Each individual module is valid for 2 years, but there is no expiry for the SAIOSH officer certificate.

EMCARE makes completing our safety officer course accessible and affordable. Local language instructors can be requested for groups larger than 10, as long as the group has proficient English reading and writing skills, The certificate, learner manuals, training equipment and presentation equipment are all included in the package. We can also travel to do training at your premises, although additional charges may apply. Alternatively, our safety officer course is available at all EMCARE branches across the country.

Why Choose EMCARE

EMCARE has decades' worth of experience in the health and safety industry. Not only do we comply with South African legislation - but we ensure your safety officers do the same. Among our modules management systems, health and safety file implementations and basic legal concepts are covered.

Additionally, we account for practical knowledge in case of emergencies like firefighting and first aid built into our course. Moreover, EMCARE's safety officer course equips you with environmental management and handling hazardous materials - which are imperative skills to have in hospitals.

Lastly, since hospitals are high-risk environments our Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) module gives safety officers all the necessary tools they need to care for patients and staff professionally and responsibly in hospital environments.

Get In Touch

EMCARE's safety officer course provides all the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge that is required of a safety officer. There are many roles safety officers play, especially in the healthcare industry. Hospitals will benefit from safety officer courses for staff, not only for legislative purposes but also for the overall health and safety of employees and patients.

EMCARE equips you with both the accreditation and the skills required. If you would like to learn more, get in contact with us and we will provide you with all the relevant details.