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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION: 
CHSO - Construction Health and Safety Officer 
DESIGNATION ID DESIGNATION TITLE
504  CHSO - Construction Health and Safety Officer 
PROFESSIONAL BODY DESIGNATION STATUS
SACPCMP - South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions  Reregistered 
SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
EXCO 08167/19  2019-05-29  2024-12-31 


DESCRIPTION:
A Construction Health and Safety Officer means a person who is appointed by an employer to assist site management with the planning, implementation and management of construction health and safety systems and who has satisfied the registration criteria of the SACPCMP to perform the prescribed functions in compliance with the Occupational Health And Safety Act 1993 (Act No.85 of 1993); and the Construction Regulations 2014, and has been certified competent by the SACPCMP.

Construction Health and Safety Officers are expected to demonstrate detailed knowledge of construction health and safety requirements at operational levels, with the ability to support construction management identify relevant legal requirements and monitor continuous implementation controls. A Construction Health and Safety Officer is also be required to show ability to mentor, coach and guide construction health and safety representatives.

The identification of work document defines in some succinct details the work set aside for persons registered as Construction Health and Safety Officers in terms of section 26 of the SACPCMP Act (Act No.48 of 2000). Some of the Construction Health and Safety Officer services that the CHSO renders/provides are:

Project Work Stage 4 - Tender Documentation And Procurement:
Definition: The process of establishing and implementing procurement strategies and procedures, including the preparation of necessary documentation for effective and timeous execution of the project.

Standard Services:
  • Attend site tender clarification meetings with contractors.
  • Assist in the preparation of project specific health and safety documentation for distribution to contractors for inclusion into their tender submissions.
  • Assist with the evaluation of the contractor(s) competencies, knowledge and resources to carry out the works safely.
  • Assist with the preparation of contract documentation related to health and safety requirements for approval and signature.

    Project Work Stage 5 - Construction Documentation And Management:
    Definition: The management and administration of the construction contracts and processes, including the preparation and co - ordination of the necessary documentation to facilitate effective execution of the works.

    Standard Services:
  • Assist with the preparation of a construction health and safety plan.
  • Confirm necessary documentation was submitted to the relevant authorities.
  • Attend project planning meetings.
  • Assessments and approval of contractor(s) health and safety plans.
  • Attend the contractors site handover.
  • Attend regular site, technical and progress meetings.
  • Facilitate site health and safety meetings.
  • Identification of the hazards and risks relevant to the construction project through regular coordinated site inspections.
  • Establish and maintain health and safety communication structures and systems, distribution of health and safety specific documents to sub-contractors.
  • Compiling project specific emergency response and preparedness plans.
  • Testing the effectiveness of the emergency response plans.
  • Conduct site safety inductions.
  • Evaluate the levels of compliance of subcontractors to the project specific health and safety plan and client specifications through inspections and audits.
  • Oversee the reporting and investigation of project related incidents.
  • Oversee the maintenance of all records.
  • Participation in management reviews of the health and safety systems.
  • Use of trends analysis to identify system deficiencies and incident trends, outline relevant improvements.
  • Incorporation of changes into a health and safety management system.
  • Review and update the health and safety plan.
  • Development of technical reports in relation to health and safety issues and communicate through presentations to diverse groups of decision makers.

    Project Work Stage 6 - Project Close Out:
    Definition: The process of managing and administering the project close out, including preparation and co - ordination of the necessary documentation to facilitate the effective operation of the project.

    Standard Services:
  • Review, discuss and approve contractors' consolidated health and safety file with the contractor(s).
  • Monitor site health and safety during the defects liability period.
  • Prepare the consolidated project health and safety file for the client. 
    		•
    AWARDING CRITERIA
    For the Professional Designation to be awarded, professionals must comply with the following minimum requirements: 
    Underlying Registered Qualification or Part Qualification:
    Occupational/Construction Health and Safety management Qualifications and Relevant Experience:
  • Programmes in Occupational Health and Safety/Construction Health and Safety (NQF Level 3 - 5), 4 years experience.
  • Learnership Certificate in Construction Health and Safety Management (NQF Level 3), 3 yearse xperience.
  • National Diploma in Safety Management, 2 years experience.
  • Bachelor of Technology in Safety Management, 1 year experience.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Operational Risk Management, 1 year experience.

    Construction Management Qualifications with additional Health and Safety Training and Relevant Experience:
  • National Diploma (Building, CM, QS, Archt, Civil, Electrical, Mech) plus Programmes in Construction Health and Safety, 3 years experience.
  • Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Technology (Building, CM, QS, Archt, Civil, Electrical, Mech) plus Programmes in Construction Health and Safety, 2 years experience.

    Qualifications with small components of OHS plus additional Health and Safety Training and Relevant Experience:
  • National Diploma in (Enviro, Related) plus Programmes in Construction Health and Safety, 3 years experience.
  • Bachelor of Science in (Enviro, Related) plus Programmes in Construction Health and Safety, 2 years experience. 
    		•
    Experiential Learning or Experience
    N/A 
    Competency Assessment
    Must pass an Examinations conducted by the SACPCMP. 
    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)
    In order to enhance professional development and ensure the currency of professional knowledge and skills, the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions has determined Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a means to retain professional registration. This is in line with sections 13(k) and 22(2) of the Project and Construction Management Professions Act, Act no 48 of 2000.

    All registered professionals are required to undertake CPD activities according to the CPD Policy framework as gazetted in Board Notice 75 of 2012.

    As from 1 April 2012, professional registration is valid for 5 years only and registered professionals are expected to accumulate a minimum of 52 points over this period. Registration is renewed on successful compliance with the requirement, subject to the registered professional being in good standing with Council. The below illustrates a summary of the principle.

    Category A:
    Core Knowledge:
  • 60 percent.
    Non-core Knowledge:
  • 60 percent.
    Points: 31.2.

    Category B:
    Mentorship and Development:
  • 20 percent.
    Category C:
    Ongoing practice:
  • 20 percent.
    Points: 20.8.

    Total points: 52.

    A clear guideline of the award of points is provided in the guideline document. Registered professionals are encouraged to submit annual returns of activities undertaken. The CPD committee together with Council Administrative staff are responsible for ensuring compliance to the policy. 
    		•
    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
    1502Pr.CHSA - Professional Construction Health and Safety Agent
    2503Pr.CHSM - Professional Construction Health and Safety Manager
    3504CHSO - Construction Health and Safety Officer


    PROFESSIONAL BODY WEB ADDRESS:
    For more information on this Professional Designation, please visit http://www.sacpcmp.org.za