What is an Occupational Hygiene?
Occupational hygiene is the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, control, and confirmation of protection from risks associated with exposures to hazards in, or arising from, the workplace that may result in injury, illness, impairment, or affect the well-being of workers and members of the community.
Where Can I Study Occupational Hygiene In South Africa
Cape Peninsula University of Technology(CPUT)
Durban University of Technology(DUT)
Tshwane University of Technology(TUT) (OHSF approved)
University of Pretoria(UP)
University of Kwa-Zulu Natal(UKZN)
Witwatersrand University(Wits)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum tertiary qualifications in a “related science or engineering field”, referred to in the procedure documents, are a three-year (at the Occupational Hygiene Technologist level) and a four-year (at the Occupational Hygienist level) tertiary qualification (Degree or National Diploma) in Occupational Hygiene or related Sciences.
The University of Limpopo – the Department of Physiology and Environmental Health offers two modules in occupational hygiene as part of their BSc (Honours) in Physiology.
The two modules cover the basic principles of occupational hygiene, hazardous chemical substances, ventilation, extreme temperatures, illumination noise and vibration. (1 University Road, Mankweng, Limpopo. Contact person: Ms Karlien Linde (Lecturer) Telephone number – 015 268 2207 Email- karlien.linde@ul.ac.za Office no 1037, First Floor, Old Q-Block)
The North-West University – offers a four-year BHSc degree in Occupational Hygiene. The purpose of this four-year professional qualification is to educate and equip students with the necessary scientific knowledge and specialized skills required to become Occupational Hygiene professionals and register with SAIOH.
The degree is presented full-time and includes 16 occupational hygiene-specific modules as well as work-integrated learning where students work in specific industries for specified periods. (For more information visit: http://health-sciences.nwu.ac.za/occupational-hygiene/study-occupational-hygiene).
The North-West University also offers MHSc and PhD degrees in Occupational Hygiene as post-graduate qualifications.
How do I become an occupational hygienist in South Africa?
You will need:
- Degree in Occupational Hygiene or related;
- Registration with the South African Institute of Occupational Hygiene [SAIOH] on Occupational Hygienist level and Chamber of Mines [CoM] Intermediate Certificate in Mine Environmental Control [MEC];
Is occupational hygiene in demand in South Africa?
In South Africa, there are less than 200 occupational hygienists. That equates to one hygienist for every 100,000 employees. As this statistic shows, it is a profession in scarce supply.
How long does it take to become an occupational therapist in South Africa?
This is a four-year, full-time programme.