Bachelor of Health Sciences in Occupational Hygiene

Purpose

The purpose of the four-year professional Bachelor of Health Sciences in Occupational Hygiene qualification, is to educate and equip learners scientifically with the necessary knowledge, specific and specialised skills, with a focus on problem-solving, and other relevant competencies required to become Occupational Hygienists; thus being able to anticipate, recognise, evaluate and control health hazards in the working environment with the objective of protecting the health and well-being of workers, and safeguarding the community at large.

Graduates will make an indispensable contribution to the promotion of health and safety of workers in South African workplaces by using their knowledge, skills and competences to ensure compliance with national legislation, while supporting international and national initiatives, such as those of the World Health Organisation (WHO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA), Department of Labour (DoL), Department of Minerals and Resources (DMR) and the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH).

Rationale

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) records indicate that about 2.3 million workers die each year from occupational accidents or occupational diseases. The constitution of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) sets forth the principle that workers should be protected from sickness, disease and injury arising from their employment, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) clearly states that the workplace should not be detrimental to health or well-being. In 2003, the ILO adopted a global strategy to improve occupational health and safety, which included the introduction of a preventative safety and health culture, as well as the promotion and development of relevant instruments and technical assistance. Considering the above, it is clear that a focused first professional degree in Occupational Hygiene is a necessity to educate and train professionals in this field, in particular with a view to addressing the needs as specified by the ILO.

Furthermore, this qualification was focused by the World Health Organisation's Global Plan of Action on Worker's Health. This Plan of Action, developed for the period 2008-2017, deals with worker health aspects, such as the prevention of occupational hazards, injuries and diseases, and protection and promotion of health at work according to specific objectives, such as:

• The protection and promotion of health at the workplace urge for improved assessment and management of health risks at the workplace, which demand the defining of essential interventions for the prevention and control of physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial risks in the working environment.
• The improvement of the performance of and access to occupational health services, which urges for the provision of basic occupational health services to all workers, including those in the informal economy, small enterprises and agriculture.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role. The Institution also underwrites the view that recognition of previous learning, obtained either by formal teaching programmes at this or another institution, or informally (obtained by experience), is an indispensable element in granting admission or credits with the aim of placement in a specifically chosen qualification of the University.

Admission to and/or granting of credits for this qualification based on the recognition of previous learning depends on the candidate's ability to prove that he or she has acquired relevant and applicable knowledge, insight, understanding, reasoning and skills through prior formal teaching programmes and/or experience in the work-place. At all times the question will be what level of competence has been reached, judged in the context of the exit level skills required for this qualification (or the modules thereof), or status for which the applicant is applying, and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove.

The Institution accepts that the recognition of previous learning does and should take place within the normal, existing policy of admission, as well as the granting of credits to prospective or existing learners - from this or another institution - in a valid, creditable and reasonable way.

Entry Requirements

Admission of prospective learners is subject to a selection process consisting of the following academic achievement.

• A National Senior Certificate with endorsement for Degree studies.

Or

• A Senior Certificate with complete or conditional matriculation endorsement/exemption.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor Degree studies.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 548 credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5 (128)

• Introductory Physiology, 12 Credits.
• Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, 12 Credits.
• Physics for Biology I, 12 Credits.
• Microbiology for Pharmacy, 12 Credits.
• Descriptive Statistics, 12 Credits.
• Membrane and Muscle Physiology, 12 Credits.
• Introductory Organic Chemistry, 12 Credits.
• Physics for Biology II, 12 Credits.
• Practical Statistics, 12 Credits.
• Academic Literacy, 12 Credits.
• Ergonomics for Occupational Hygiene, 8 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6 (116)

• Endocrine System and Digestion, 16 Credits.
• Analytical Methods II, 8 Credits.
• Organic Chemistry II for Pharmacy/ Biological Sciences, 8 Credits.
• Biochemistry for Health Sciences, 16 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Occupational Hygiene, 16 Credits.
• Physiological Defence Mechanisms, 8 Credits.
• Risk Assessment, 8 Credits.
• Toxicology I, 16 Credits.
• Know and Understand the World of Health, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 8 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7 (152)

• Respiration, 8 Credits.
• Cardiovascular Physiology for Occupational Hygiene, 8 Credits.
• Reproductive Physiology, 8 Credits.
• Toxicology II, 24 Credits.
• Occupational Hygiene Legislation, 24 Credits.
• Renal and Dermal Physiology, 16 Credits.
• Neurophysiology, 16 Credits.
• Chemical Stressors I, 24 Credits.
• Physical Stressors I, 24 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 8 (152)

• Ventilation, 16 Credits.
• Chemical Stressors II, 24 Credits.
• Physical Stressors II, 24 Credits.
• Research Project, 32 Credits.
• Chemical Stressors III, 24 Credits.
• Employee Wellness and Epidemiology, 16 Credits.
• Management, Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge, applied competences and critical understanding of relevant theories, methodologies and concepts inherent to the field of Occupational Hygiene.
2. Protect and promote the health and safety of workers in workplaces, and the community at large, on a national and international level within the framework provided by national and international occupational health and safety legislation.
3. Select, evaluate and apply a range of appropriate scientific skills and methods in order to anticipate, recognise, evaluate and control health risks in the workplace with the objective of protecting worker health and well-being, and safeguarding the community at large.
4. Operate effectively within a health and safety team and management system and/or manage a team/system and demonstrate logical and critical understanding of the roles of all participants of this team/system and taking responsibility for task outcomes and the application of appropriate resources.
5. Practice ethical conduct and accountability in the occupational hygiene profession.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Relevant concepts, theories and methods from the disciplines of Physiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Reproductive Biology, Neurobiology, Cardiovascular Science, Physics and general Statistics on the study of Occupational Hygiene are defined, described and critically applied.
• Concepts, theories, processes and methods inherent to the field of Occupational Hygiene are defined, critically discussed, analysed and effectively applied.

> Range: Risk assessment, ergonomics, toxicology, chemical stressors, physical stressors, ventilation, employee wellness and epidemiology, ethics and professional behaviour in the field of Occupational Hygiene, management of a healthy occupational environment and research methodology for the field of Occupational Hygiene.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Fundamental principles and the ethical aspects and practices relevant to Occupational Hygiene are critically discussed and applied.
• Laws, regulations and rules relevant to the field of Occupational Health and Safety are critically analysed and discussed, while demonstrating understanding of such knowledge by implementing correct laws, regulations and rules in case studies.
• Ethical and legal implications for unlawful action within the practice of Occupational Hygiene are critically discussed.
• Content, necessity and value of an Occupational Hygiene monitoring programme is communicated to a range of audiences.
• The ability to critically analyse and correctly evaluate supplied sets of Occupational Hygiene data and adapt the existing Occupational Hygiene monitoring programme accordingly is presented in a written format.
• Occupational Hygiene issues are critically analysed to design and implement an Occupational Hygiene survey and offer solutions to practical problems.
• Principles of ergonomics are applied to give useful recommendations to solve workplace issues.
• Knowledge and understanding of Toxicology to solve fundamental toxicological problems related to Occupational Hygiene in the workplace is applied.
• Occupational Hygiene report is compiled for a client in which an exposure assessment strategy and control strategy is creatively, accurately and appropriately communicated without infringing on legal principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Risk Assessment is conducted and conversant with the relationship between Risk Assessment and the field of Occupational Hygiene.
• Information gathered in the field of Risk Assessment is critically reviewed to respond to challenges by synthesising and analysing data, evaluating results and then managing processes to find solutions to problems.
• Ethical issues present within the field of Risk Assessment are identified and cognisance of the role of ethical value systems demonstrated.
• Sound, professional occupational health ideas, insights and solutions to challenges are produced and communicated academically as encountered within the field of Risk Assessment as envisioned in the practice of Occupational Hygiene.
• Fundamental problems are solved by applying appropriate statistical analysis to a dataset by making use of statistical software used in the field of Occupational Hygiene.
• Different exposure scenarios demonstrating ability to correctly design suitable sampling programs for specific aerosols evaluated.
• Content of the available literature on aerosol exposure assessment strategies is communicated to a range of audiences thereby proving a clear understanding of the various aspects regarding aerosol exposure assessment.
• Suitable and sufficient strategies to protect workers against the negative influences of excessive exposure to various types of aerosols are designed and controlled.
• Sufficient protection programme for workers against the negative influences of bad illumination and excessive radiation exposures are designed.
• Appropriate control strategies are recommended to reduce exposure to gasses and vapours in selected case studies and workplace scenario's.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Ownership of work, decisions made and resources used as well as accountability for the decisions and actions of team members where appropriate is taken.
• Communicative proof (written and/or verbal and/or practical) of having used an integrative approach in order to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems within the field of Occupational Hygiene provided, systematically drawing on the body of knowledge mastered, to address problems in team or systemic context.
• As member and/or leader of a team, recorded proof of the ability to produce and communicate academic, professional or occupational ideas and text effectively is provided while offering creative insight, comprehensive interpretations and solutions to challenges as encountered within the practice of Occupational Hygiene.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• An accurate and coherent fundamental research proposal is written without infringing on copyright laws or committing plagiarism.
• An accurate and coherent fundamental research proposal is presented to a selected audience in an oral presentation.
• Verbally and in writing effective arguments based on the ethical, legal and moral responsibilities of employers towards employees are communicated, balanced against the financial implications of the recommendations.
• Ethical issues present within the field of Employee Wellness and Epidemiology identified.
• Identified issues are analysed and addressed while taking cognisance of and acting according to the accepted ethical value system and professional guidelines for occupational hygienists.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment instruments will be appropriate, valid and reliable in measuring the stated qualification and module outcomes. The assessment instruments will furthermore adhere to the requirements of NQF Level 8 and the assessment criteria will be formulated clearly and correctly and will be communicated to learners via the module study guides. The following forms of continuous formative and summative assessments will be used: Written or online (via eFundi) assignments and tests, analysis and solving of case studies, individual and group presentations of skills or problem solving, on-campus laboratory and practical work-integrated learning assessments, evaluation of practical occupational hygiene reports and written and practical examinations. At least one opportunity for integrated assessment, where the main objective and key purpose of the qualification is assessed, will be included in the assessment activities.