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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION: 
Registered Occupational Hygiene Technologist 
DESIGNATION ID DESIGNATION TITLE
455  Registered Occupational Hygiene Technologist 
PROFESSIONAL BODY DESIGNATION STATUS
SAIOH - Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene  Reregistered 
SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
SAQA 12141/23  2023-07-27  2028-07-26 


DESCRIPTION:
An Occupational Hygienist is typically the more technical level of the SAIOH PCB registration system. The ROHT will be expected to develop monitoring of OH stressors, plan surveys and also be able to execute them/ The evaluation of results and giving recommendations is also more to the fore and report writing will be one of the functions. The OH Technologist will still work under the direct supervision and mentorship of a Registered Occupational Hygienist and is not allowed to be a Technical Signatory of any OH report. 
AWARDING CRITERIA
For the Professional Designation to be awarded, professionals must comply with the following minimum requirements: 
Underlying Registered Qualification or Part Qualification:
A minimum of 3 years tertiary qualification (Grade 12/Matric + 3 or NQF Level 6) in an appropriate technical or scientific discipline, or successful completion of the 6 Intermediary International Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA) modules and acquired the OHTA Intermediary Certificate in Occupational Hygiene (ICertOH). 
Experiential Learning or Experience
Candidates for registration as a Technologist are required to provide proof that they have at least two (2) full years (at least 70% full-time Occupational Hygiene work done per year claimed) relevant occupational hygiene experience. The development and population of a Personal learning portfolio as required by the OHTA certificate model is recommended to track this experience. (NB Any time spent during formal education (as a requirement to obtain such qualification) may also not be counted towards the required years of relevant Occupational Hygiene experience, thus no "double dipping" allowed). 
Competency Assessment
The scope of the assessments will be in line/comply with the minimum Occupational Knowledge and Competency requirements as stipulated by IOHA. A copy of this document is available on the SAIOH or IOHA Websites. Please also check for any exemptions on the SAIOH PCB system as published on the SAIOH Website.

Written Assessment:
This will consist of multiple-choice questions on all environmental exposure factors plus essay type questions on calculations & quality assurance. Case studies will also be presented and the candidate will be required to propose a strategy to solve each problem.

Note: A list is available from SAIOH containing international professional qualifications in Occupational Hygiene which may allow a candidate, at the discretion of the OHPC, to be exempted from the written assessment at the SAIOH PCB OH Technologist category. All other Qualification, Experience and Oral Assessment requirements are still required.

Length of Paper:
The maximum time allowed for the written assessment is 3 hours.

Oral Assessment:
An oral assessment will be conducted by at least two registered Occupational Hygienists, at least one of whom will be a qualified lead assessor. The assessment will follow a formal process as outlined in Table 1 below. Three elements will be assessed for each topic; i.e. basic technical principles, legislation and controls. These elements will be marked in the ratio of 50, 25 and 25% for the Technologist level to reflect an emphasis on the necessary technical skills.

Note: The topics for questions will be selected by the Assessors in line with the candidates work experience, but will cover the comprehensive Occupational Hygiene spectrum as required for the Technologist level he/she is assessed at.

Length of Assessment:
The oral assessment will normally take no longer than one hour.

Pass mark:
A sub-minimum of 63% must be obtained for each of the written and oral assessments with an average of 65% for the written and oral assessments combined.

Note: Only candidates that obtained the sub-minimum for the written assessment will be allowed to go forward to the oral assessment. They will be notified by the PCB within 45 days of their results and of the date of their oral assessment. 
Designation RPL Statement
This Designation may be awarded through Recognition of Prior Learning. 
RETAINING CRITERIA
In order to ensure the currency of professional knowledge and to retain the Professional Designation, the professional must comply with the following minimum requirements: 
Code of Conduct
Members must adhere to the Professional Body Codes of Conduct and Ethics. 
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
To maintain registration as an Occupational Hygiene Technologist (ROHT), you must accumulate 50 points over a running five-year period. With the exception of the 8 base points for active practice in category 1 or 2, a maximum of 5 points per year can be claimed in each activity category. The maximum total points which can be claimed in any one year are 12 points. An overview of the different categories in which points may be claimed is provided below. (More details can be obtained from the SAIOH website).
Categories in which points may be claimed:
  • Active OH practice (8 points per year).
  • Lectures (8 points per year).
  • Training and Education Courses (different point allocations as per SAIOH requirements).
  • Technical/Professional OH committee (different point allocations as per requirements).
  • Professional Membership (0.5 points per year).
  • Publications and certification questions (different point allocations according to SAIOH requirements).
  • Research (2 points per topic).

    Once-off points may also be claimed from the following:
  • Mentorship.
  • Examination/Certification/Related additional qualification.
  • Open category. 
    		•
    Fees
    Ensure that the annual membership fee is paid. 


    PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION PROGRESSION PATHWAY
    (The Designation being reported on here is shown in italics.)

    Sequence Designation ID Designation Title
    1454Registered Occupational Hygiene Assistant
    2455Registered Occupational Hygiene Technologist
    3456Registered Occupational Hygienist


    PROFESSIONAL BODY WEB ADDRESS:
    For more information on this Professional Designation, please visit www.saioh.co.za