Ergonomics Regulations and Risk Assessment

Overview

Employees silently suffer strain, discomfort, and injury in many workplaces due to poorly designed tasks, tools, or environments.

These issues—often overlooked—lead to increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and costly non-compliance with occupational health and safety laws.

With the introduction of the Ergonomics Regulations (2019) under South Africa’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, the legal and operational stakes have never been higher.

This course empowers learners with the knowledge and tools to identify, assess, and control ergonomic risks in any work environment.

Grounded in the legal framework of the South African Ergonomics Regulations, the course walks you through the complete ergonomics risk assessment process—from initiation and task evaluation to implementing controls and maintaining compliance records.

Alignment

The short course was designed to align with the following:

• SAQA 244523: Conduct an ergonomic assessment and take appropriate action, NQF Level 5

• Ergonomics Regulation 6: Competency training for the person conducting an ergonomics risk assessment.

• ECSA Competency: Group C (Risk and Impact Mitigation), Outcome 7 (Meet all legal and regulatory requirements)

Importance of Managing Ergonomics Risks

Poorly managed ergonomic risks can lead to significant adverse health effects, including musculoskeletal disorders and reduced employee well-being, negatively impacting productivity and morale.

Identifying and mitigating these risks ensures a safer work environment, enhancing overall system performance and employee satisfaction.

Employers who effectively manage ergonomic risks demonstrate a commitment to compliance, employee health, and operational excellence.

What you’ll learn in the course?

1. Principles and Importance of Workplace Ergonomics: Understand the principles and importance of ergonomics in workplace design and operations. Discover how a proactive ergonomics program improves employee health, safety, and job satisfaction, fostering loyalty and productivity.

2. Compliance Framework: Learn the requirements of the 2019 Ergonomics Regulations and the duties of employers, employees, and other stakeholders, such as designers and suppliers.

3. Ergonomics Management System: Learn how to develop an ergonomics management system to ensure compliance with the OHS Act and Ergonomics Regulations.

4. Identify and assess exposure: Learn how to identify and quantify ergonomics exposure levels and ensure compliance with legal and other requirements.

5. Instruct, inform, and train exposed persons: Learn how to design an ergonomics training programme and ensure employees are informed.

6. Measure exposure: Gain skills in conducting ergonomic risk assessments, including hazard identification, analysis, and prioritization. Understand the role of medical surveillance in identifying and mitigating adverse health effects and the importance of maintaining compliance records.

7. Control Exposure: Explore practical strategies for eliminating or reducing ergonomic risks using the hierarchy of controls, from redesigning tasks to implementing personal protective equipment.

What’s included with the course?

1. +Five hours of on-demand videos

2. Downloadable learner workbook

3. Downloadable class exercises and resources

4. Three months of email support

5. A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded once you complete all the lessons.

6. A Certificate of Competency will be awarded once you submit the course assignments and have met the competency requirements.

Who should attend?

The course is suitable for all workers. It introduces ergonomics and reinforces the principles that must be employed when addressing ergonomic problems.

In particular, the course will benefit the following persons:

• Managers

• Health and Safety Officers

• Health and Safety Representatives

• Health and Safety Committee Members

• Union Representatives

• Persons involved with the day-to-day activities of health and safety, such as engineers, technicians, and artisans

Admission requirements?

• Open enrollment

• Literacy at NQF Level 5

How long is the course?

It will take you about two days to go through the course content and complete the assignments.

Potential Job Outcomes

• SHE Representative

• SHE Committee member

• Ergonomics trainer

• Ergonomics risk assessment lead

What will you need?

• Computer, laptop, tablet, or cellphone with 5 to 10 Mbps internet

• Writing pad and pen

Accreditation

The course is not yet accredited.

Is the course NQF-rated?

The short courses offered by Palucraft result in a certificate of completion issued by Palucraft.

In line with the CHE (Council on Higher Education) regulations, short courses are not aligned to or allocated NQF levels or credits as they do not lead to complete qualifications.

The NQF system is essential from an articulation standpoint (moving from one qualification to another). The short courses are designed to offer practical, workplace-relevant skills, not as a vehicle for articulation into qualifications.