The objective of this course is to equip learners with the knowledge, understanding and practical awareness required to recognise, assess, control and manage hazardous substances in the workplace.

On completion of this course, learners should be able to:

Understand what hazardous substances are and why they pose a risk to workers, the workplace, the environment and the public.

Identify hazardous substances commonly found in the workplace, including chemicals, cleaning agents, disinfectants, fuels, solvents, pesticides, gases, fumes, vapours and hazardous waste.

Explain the legal duties of employers and employees in relation to hazardous substances.

Understand the importance of complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulations and relevant environmental requirements.

Recognise the different types of chemical hazards, including physical hazards, health hazards and environmental hazards.

Interpret basic information from Safety Data Sheets and understand why Safety Data Sheets must be available, current and accessible to workers.

Recognise the purpose of chemical labels, GHS pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and precautionary statements.

Understand how hazardous substances can enter the body through inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, injection and eye contact.

Differentiate between acute exposure and chronic exposure.

Identify workplace activities that may increase the risk of hazardous substance exposure, such as mixing, decanting, spraying, heating, cleaning, maintenance, waste handling and storage.

Understand the purpose of hazardous substance risk assessments and how risks are evaluated in the workplace.

Apply the hierarchy of controls when selecting suitable control measures for hazardous substances.

Explain the importance of safe storage, chemical segregation, compatibility, ventilation, bunding and containment.

Understand why incompatible chemicals must not be stored or mixed together.

Follow safe handling, use, decanting, dilution and application procedures for hazardous substances.

Understand the role and limitations of personal protective equipment when working with hazardous substances.

Select and use suitable personal protective equipment according to the chemical hazard and task requirements.

Recognise signs and symptoms of hazardous substance exposure and understand the importance of reporting them immediately.

Understand the purpose of exposure monitoring, biological monitoring and medical surveillance where hazardous chemical exposure may occur.

Respond appropriately to chemical spills, leaks, accidental exposure and emergency situations.

Understand the importance of spill kits, emergency showers, eyewash stations, evacuation procedures and emergency communication.

Explain the basic principles of hazardous chemical waste management and environmental protection.

Understand why hazardous chemical waste must be labelled, stored, segregated, transported and disposed of correctly.

Recognise the importance of reporting incidents, near-misses, unsafe conditions and uncontrolled chemical exposure.

Contribute to a safer workplace by following procedures, using controls correctly, communicating hazards and supporting a positive chemical safety culture.

COURSE AIM

The overall aim of this course is to ensure that learners are able to work safely with or near hazardous substances and understand their role in preventing chemical exposure, occupational illness, environmental contamination, fires, explosions and legal non-compliance.

The course promotes responsible chemical management by encouraging learners to identify hazards before harm occurs, follow workplace procedures, use personal protective equipment correctly, report unsafe conditions and participate in continuous improvement of hazardous substance controls.

This course covers the following key topics:

Introduction to hazardous substances in the workplace

Legal and regulatory framework governing hazardous substances in South Africa

Employer and employee duties relating to hazardous substances

Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements

Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulations

Hazardous Substances Act requirements

Environmental legislation and pollution prevention duties

COIDA and occupational diseases linked to chemical exposure

Chemical hazard identification and classification

Physical hazards of chemicals

Health hazards of chemicals

Environmental hazards of chemicals

Routes of exposure to hazardous substances

Acute and chronic exposure

Chemical labels and hazard communication

Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

GHS pictograms, signal words and hazard statements

Safety Data Sheets and their purpose

The 16 sections of a Safety Data Sheet

Chemical registers and inventories

Chemical documentation and recordkeeping

Risk assessment of hazardous substances

Workplace exposure assessment

Frequency, duration and intensity of exposure

High-risk chemical tasks

Hierarchy of controls

Elimination and substitution of hazardous substances

Engineering controls for hazardous substances

Administrative controls and safe work procedures

Personal protective equipment for chemical tasks

Safe handling of hazardous substances

Safe decanting, mixing, dilution and application of chemicals

Chemical storage requirements

Chemical segregation and compatibility

Bunding, containment and spill prevention

Control of chemical waste and effluent

Exposure monitoring and occupational hygiene assessments

Biological monitoring

Medical surveillance for exposed workers

Early warning signs and symptoms of chemical exposure

Chronic occupational diseases linked to hazardous substances

Reporting and managing exposure symptoms

Emergency response for hazardous substance incidents

Chemical spill response procedures

Small spills and major spills

Emergency communication and evacuation

Fire risks associated with hazardous substances

Emergency showers, eyewash stations and decontamination

Chemical first aid principles

Incident reporting and investigation

Root cause analysis and corrective action

Hazardous chemical waste management

Waste classification and segregation

Safe storage of hazardous chemical waste

Waste manifests and contractor control

Environmental protection and contamination prevention

Stormwater, soil and groundwater protection

Chemical safety programmes in the workplace

Training, supervision and competency requirements

Communication and teamwork in chemical safety

Building a positive chemical safety culture

Continuous improvement of hazardous substance controls

This course is delivered through a structured, learner-centred methodology designed to build both knowledge and practical workplace understanding.

The course is presented in a step-by-step format, allowing learners to first understand the legal and theoretical background of hazardous substances before progressing to practical workplace application. Each module introduces key concepts, explains their relevance to the workplace and then guides learners in applying these principles to real chemical safety situations.

The learning methodology includes:

Structured Online Learning

Learners will complete the course through the SAFCON Academy online learning platform. The course content is divided into clear modules and lessons so that learners can work through the material in a logical sequence. Each section should be completed before moving on to the next section.

Self-Paced Learning

Learners may complete the course at their own pace within the access period provided. This allows learners to review important sections, repeat content where necessary and take sufficient time to understand chemical safety principles before completing the assessment.

Text-Based Learning Material

The course uses detailed textbook-style learning material to explain hazardous substances, legal requirements, chemical classification, Safety Data Sheets, labels, risk assessment, control measures, exposure monitoring, emergency response and waste management. The content is written in practical workplace language to support understanding and application.

Workplace-Based Application

Learners are encouraged to relate the course content to their own workplace. Throughout the course, learners should consider the hazardous substances they may use, store, handle, transport, dispose of or be exposed to during their normal work activities.

Practical Examples

The course includes practical examples to help learners understand how chemical hazards occur in real workplaces. These examples assist learners in recognising unsafe practices, identifying exposure risks and understanding the importance of correct controls.

Scenario-Based Learning

Learners are exposed to realistic workplace scenarios involving hazardous substances. These scenarios help learners apply their knowledge to situations such as chemical spills, poor labelling, unsafe storage, exposure symptoms, incompatible chemicals, waste handling and emergency response.

Knowledge Checks

Knowledge checks may be included during or after selected sections to reinforce learning. These activities help learners confirm their understanding before progressing further in the course.

Legal and Compliance Focus

The course places strong emphasis on South African legal requirements and employer and employee duties. Learners are guided to understand that hazardous substance control is not only a safety issue, but also a legal and environmental responsibility.

Risk-Based Approach

The course follows a risk-based approach. Learners are taught to identify hazards, understand routes of exposure, evaluate risk, apply the hierarchy of controls and recognise when additional measures such as exposure monitoring, medical surveillance or emergency planning may be required.

Assessment

At the end of the course, learners must complete a final assessment. The assessment may include multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions and scenario-based questions. The purpose of the assessment is to confirm that the learner understands the course content and can apply it to workplace hazardous substance control.

Competency Requirement

Learners must achieve the required pass mark to successfully complete the course and be found competent. Learners who do not meet the required standard may be required to review the course material and complete further assessment activities, depending on SAFCON Academy procedures.

Learner Responsibility

Learners are responsible for working through all course material, reading each section carefully, completing all required activities and asking for assistance where they do not understand a concept. Chemical safety requires careful attention, and learners should not rush through the content without understanding its workplace importance.

Facilitator or Support Role

Where facilitator or support assistance is provided, the facilitator may guide learners through difficult concepts, clarify questions, explain workplace examples and assist learners in understanding how hazardous substance controls apply in real working environments.

Outcome of the Methodology

This methodology ensures that learners do not only memorise information, but develop practical awareness and confidence to recognise hazardous substances, understand their risks, follow safe procedures, use controls correctly, respond to emergencies and contribute to a safer and more legally compliant workplace.