What is Occupational Hygiene?
Occupational Hygiene is the discipline of anticipating, recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards in the working environment with the objective of protecting worker health and well-being and safeguarding the community at large.
Take a look at a video of the British Occupational Hygiene Society and AIOH for more information regarding Occupational Hygiene.
For more information click here.
In Occupational Hygiene the following work related stressors are investigated:
- Noise
- Vibration
- Electromagnetic and ionising radiation
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Hazardous chemical substances
- Hazardous biological substances
- Ergonomics
- Dust and fibres
What does the BHSc in Occupational Hygiene degree entail?
The purpose of this four-year professional qualification is to educate and equip students with the necessary scientific knowledge, specific and specialised skills, including problem solving, and relevant competencies required to become Occupational Hygienists and register with the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (Visit the website).
In South Africa, legislation as embodied in two Acts, i.e. the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996), regulate the health and safety of workers in the general industry and in mining. Both acts and their respective regulations pertinently define Occupational Hygiene and stipulate duties to be performed by Occupational Hygienists.
Manner of presentation and duration of programme
The programme is presented full-time and covers a period of four (4) years.
Note that the language of instruction will be Afrikaans, but simultaneous interpreting into English is available.
What are the admission requirements for the degree?
In addition to the general admission requirements the following requirements is applicable to
the BHSc in Occupational Hygiene:
- An endorsed Senior Certificate issued by the South African Certification Board with full matriculation exemption;
- Mathematics and Physical Science level 5 (60-69%); Life Sciences or Physiology on level 4 (50-59%) is a recommendation.
- APS-score: The results achieved in four designated subjects plus two NSC subjects will be taken into consideration. The results achieved in Life orientation will not be taken into account.
An APS-score of at least 27; - Language requirement: A pass mark of 50-59% (level 4) in the language of teaching and learning concerning home language or first additional language level.
- Any further admission requirements as determined by the Senate from time to time.
What is the selection process for the degree?
Selection is based on academic achievement where a prospective student must achieve the admission requirements for the degree.
Admission to the degree will take place via an academic paper selection process.
The due date for submissions is 31 August of each year.
For more information on the selection process the complete selection document can be viewed here.
Postgraduate studies
After completion of this degree, you will be able to continue with a MHSc and PhD degree in Occupational Hygiene.
For more information, visit the Occupational Health and Hygiene Research Initiative (OHHRI) page.
