Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

Description of the Qualification

The purpose of Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety qualification is to provide students with applied competencies, understanding and interpretation of Occupational Health and Safety principles in preparation for a career in the industry and to provide a basis for further learning. The programme addresses the incidence of hazardous situation and injuries among workers through health promotion and safety in all work places. This qualification is appropriate for the induction of new starters and for up-skilling individuals who are employed within the role that is predominately operations. The qualification allows the student who already has occupational competence within their sector, but aspiring to enter the role that involves more responsibilities to gain the right level of occupational knowledge and principles.

Occupational health aims to promote and maintain the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations, the prevention amongst workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions, the protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health, the placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and psychological capabilities.

Employers, by law, must provide employees with a safe and healthy working environment. Occupational Health and Safety in Namibia is governed by the Labour Act Nr 11 of 2007 in conjunction with Regulation 156, Regulations Relating to the Health and Safety of employees at work. Safe workplaces contribute to sustainable development, which is the key to poverty reduction and healthy workers are productive and raise healthy families thus healthy workers are a key strategy in overcoming poverty.

The Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Operations (Level 5) is an ideal qualification for anyone who works in any Health sectors, Industrials sectors, corporate world, other different fields and other individuals that seeks to develop career-specific skills and gain a solid qualification in Occupational Health and Safety to support his/her position and anyone who wants to enter into or has just started a career.

Admission requirement

Students will be admitted to this qualification if they hold a Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) or Namibia Senior Secondary Advanced Subsidiary (NSSAS), or combination of both or equivalent qualification(s), with a minimum of 20 points in five (5) best subjects with minimum of D in English.

Or

A Certificate in Transport and Logistics Management (Level 5) or in related fields at NQF level 5. Students will also be admitted into this qualification through mature age entry as stipulated in GR 4.1.1 prior learning with 3 relevant years of experience in various fields of transport, maritime, shipping and logistics management or related fields.

Career opportunities

Employment opportunities may be found across public and private sectors, in workplaces, especially mines, factories, constructions, etc, as health officer, safety officer, health inspector, etc.

Qualification structure