QCTO Qualifications · Qualification programme
Occupational Certificate: Safety, Health and Quality Practitioner (Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner)
Prepare for the occupational role of a health and safety practitioner: advising employees and management, inspecting workplaces, investigating incidents and maintaining safety systems.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Prepare for the occupational role of a health and safety practitioner: advising employees and management, inspecting workplaces, investigating incidents and maintaining safety systems.
The programme brings together knowledge component, practical component and workplace component. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A workplace safety function must connect inspections, employee concerns and corrective-action reviews. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
This legacy qualification has been replaced by SAQA ID 121527. The record lists a final enrolment date of 30 December 2026. Confirm the applicable pathway and intake with Ratomac.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Safety representatives, prospective safety practitioners and operational safety staff.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Map knowledge needed to explain a fictional workplace safety problem.
- Prepare an inspection, consultation and risk-record pack for facilitator review.
- Design a workplace evidence plan that shows how occupational responsibilities could be demonstrated.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
4 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Knowledge component
This part of the programme examines knowledge component, with attention to health and safety foundations and workplace communication. Applied safety practice, safety management and operational supervision. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Health.
- Safety foundations.
- Workplace communication.
- Applied safety practice.
- Safety management.
- Operational supervision.
- Applied work: map knowledge needed to explain a fictional workplace safety problem.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map knowledge needed to explain a fictional workplace safety problem. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Practical component
This part of the programme examines practical component, with attention to employee representation, consultation and coordination of safety representatives. Workplace inspections, risk assessment and maintaining risk records. Safety documentation, emergency preparedness and evaluation of safety systems. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Employee representation.
- Consultation.
- Coordination of safety representatives.
- Workplace inspections.
- Risk assessment.
- Maintaining risk records.
- Safety documentation.
- Emergency preparedness.
- Evaluation of safety systems.
- Applied work: prepare an inspection, consultation and risk-record pack for facilitator review.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare an inspection, consultation and risk-record pack for facilitator review. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Workplace component
This part of the programme examines workplace component, with attention to apply the occupational responsibilities in a workplace setting. Build workplace experience alongside knowledge and practical learning. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Apply the occupational responsibilities in a workplace setting.
- Build workplace experience alongside knowledge.
- Practical learning.
- Applied work: design a workplace evidence plan that shows how occupational responsibilities could be demonstrated.
Illustrative practical exercise
Design a workplace evidence plan that shows how occupational responsibilities could be demonstrated. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Integrated workplace workshop
A workplace safety function must connect inspections, employee concerns and corrective-action reviews. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Qualification content summarised from SAQA. Delivery and enrolment arrangements are confirmed by Ratomac. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.