The UCT Occupational Health and Safety course equips employers with the skills to manage workplace health and safety

The University of Cape Town and GetSmarter, South Africa’s leading online educator, are proud to announce the launch of the Occupational Health and Safety course. The 10-week part-time course, which starts on 20 August 2012, is presented entirely online through GetSmarter’s innovative online learning platform.

Occupational health and safety is a pertinent issue across all employment sectors worldwide, since people are largely regarded as an organisation’s most vital asset. All employment sectors pose unique risks and hazards that, if triggered, could cripple a company or subject workers to unnecessary injury.

Employers are frequently at a loss as to how they should go about implementing a comprehensive health and safety management system in their line of business. The UCT Occupational Health and Safety course aims to teach the necessary skills to ensure compliance with international standards and the Occupational Health and Safety Act as it applies to the South African context.

In particular, the course looks at important health and safety concerns such as risk assessment and control, the management of people hazards, machinery, equipment, power sources, substances, health stressors, construction activities and energy sources. The vital aspect of employee training is also addressed, and the various laws and standards governing health and safety management are explored.

The course is suitable for anyone interested in developing their occupational health and safety skills. More specifically, this course has been designed for managers, supervisors and safety representatives to effectively discharge their workplace health and safety duties, and is an excellent foundation for those who want to follow a career in the discipline.

GetSmarter’s advanced and user-friendly learning model provides students with a personal and professional educational experience. Students work through the course material together and receive continuous academic and administrative assistance during the course. Each of the 10 modules includes comprehensive and up-to-date course notes, discussion forums where students interact with one another, an interactive quiz and video lectures to make the course material more engaging.

The Convener for the UCT Occupational Health and Safety course is Christian Basgen, a health and safety consultant who owns his own practice. Christian consults on a variety of health and safety issues ranging across industries as varied as construction, office, transport, farming and education.

GetSmarter is a high-touch online education company that works together with top universities and industry experts to present courses throughout South Africa. It has trained over 10,000 students in the past four years, in such diverse topics as labour law, creative writing and internet marketing – all from the comfort of the students’ homes or offices.

The University of Cape Town is one of Africa’s leading universities. GetSmarter and UCT work together with the best industry experts to provide professional and exceptional teaching support.

The course starts on 20 August  2012, and registrations close on 10 August  2012. Contact Danielle on 021 447 7565 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information. Alternatively visit www.GetSmarter.co.za.