CEM Courses Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
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Internal Box 150, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, South Africa 2520
Entry Requirements
Centre for Environmental Management Tel: +27 (0) 18 299-2714 Fax: + 27 (0) 18 299-2726 Email:
[email protected] Web: www.nwu.ac.za/cem
As most CEM courses are offered at NQF level 5 and higher, specific entry requirements apply to all of them. Students are responsible for establishing what the specific entry requirements are in order to ensure conformity to CEM regulations. Entry requirements include either: A Grade 12 certificate as a minimum and preferably also: •
Some tertiary education in at least one of the fields of Environmental Management or Occupational Health and Safety Management, as the case may be.
•
Some basic knowledge of and some relevant activities and responsibilities in at least one of the fields of Environmental Management or Occupational Health and Safety Management, as the case may be.
or Specific requirements as indicated by the following courses: CEM Courses Requiring RPL Courses: *** •
CEM-04.1.1 Environmental Management System ISO 14001 Audit: a Lead Auditor Course based on ISO 19011 and ISO 17021
•
CEM-04.1.2a Environmental Management System ISO 14001 Audit: Internal Auditor Course based on ISO 19011(including an on-site practical module)
•
CEM-04.2.1 Occupational Health and Safety Management System OHSAS 18001 Audit: a Lead Auditor Course based on ISO 19011 and ISO 17021
•
CEM-04.3.2 Integrated SHEQms Audit: (including an on-site practical module)
•
CEM-04.3.3 Integrated SHEms Audit: (including an on-site practical module)
•
CEM-04.3.4 Integrated SHEms Audit: a Lead Auditor Course based on ISO 19011 and ISO 17021
•
CEM-07.1 Implementing Integrated Management Systems: based on ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001
•
CEM-07.2 Implementing an Integrated SHEms based on OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001
•
CEM-07.5 Implementing Integrated SHEQ and Food Safety Management Systems
Internal
Internal
Auditor
Auditor
Course
based
on ISO
19011
Course
based
on
19011
ISO
*** Please refer to the CEM’s Recognition of Prior Learning brochure for more information
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In order to establish if you have sufficient knowledge of these, the CEM have compiled a Self-Assessment Questionnaire. The CEM recommends that you try to answer these questions. The CEM has also included the memos of these questionnaires, which may be used as references to answer the questions. If you are unable to answer the Environmental Management-related questions, we recommend that you attend the Introduction to Environmental Management - An Overview of Principles, Tools and Issues (CEM-01.1) course first. Similarly, if you are unable to answer the Occupational Health and Safety Management-related questions, we recommend that you attend an introductory course on Occupational Health and Safety Management.
ENVIRONMENTAL BASICS QUESTIONNAIRE 1.
Give and discuss the five mega global human impacts on the environment and discuss their applicability to the South African situation.
2
Briefly depict the environmental legislation hierarchy/framework in South Africa.
3
Give the most widely adopted legal definition of the concept “Environment” as used in South African law, and provide the full name of the act in which it can be found.
4.
Briefly discuss the difference between an impact and an aspect when considering environmental management. (For clarity refer to ISO 14001 definitions.)
5
Briefly describe and discuss the project life-cycle process and the role of environmental management in the project life cycle.
6.
Name and briefly describe two environmental management tools that can be used at each stage of the model discussed in question 5 above.
7
When considering the concept of environmental management, state which management model finds wide application, especially with regards to ISO 14001-based environmental management systems. Name and describe the different processes contained in this model.
8.
Briefly discuss the precautionary principle applicable to environmental management by making use of a practical example.
9.
Your company has tasked you with investigating whether or not a specific project will require an environmental impact assessment to be conducted. State how you will determine if an EIA will be required, and which pieces of legislation will be applicable. Also explain the difference between a Basic Assessment and a full EIA.
10.
Briefly describe and discuss the waste hierarchy as found in the National Environmental Management Waste Act.
Please turn to page 5 for the answers
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY BASICS QUESTIONNAIRE 1.
What is occupational health and safety?
2.
Why is occupational health and safety important?
3.
Explain what an occupational health and safety hazard is.
4
Explain what an occupational health and safety risk is.
5.
What is the relationship between occupational health and safety hazards and risks?
6.
Identify a number of occupational hazards and some of the types of work generally associated with those hazards.
7.
Identify some sources of physical occupational health and safety hazards.
8.
Identify some sources of chemical occupational health and safety hazards.
9.
Identify some sources of biological occupational health and safety hazards.
10.
Identify some sources of other occupational health and safety hazards.
11.
What are some of the potential consequences of the occurrence of occupational health and safety hazards?
12.
What can be done to control occupational health and safety hazards?
13.
What do you understand regarding the hierarchy of controls for occupational health and safety hazards?
14.
What law regulates occupational health and safety in South African industries?
15.
What law regulates occupational health and safety in South African mines?
Please turn to page 8 for the answers
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ENVIRONMENTAL BASICS QUESTIONNAIRE MEMO 1.
Name and discuss the five mega global human impacts on the environment and discuss their applicability to the South African situation.
•
Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. South Africa is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gasses in the world and solutions at a national policy level have to be implemented if the country is to take meaningful strides toward sustainable development. Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. South Africa faces significant challenges to combating the effects of excessive pollution that pose a significant threat to precious ecosystems such as water resources, oceans, air etc. Water resources are sources of water that are useful or potentially useful to people. The uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. Virtually all of these human uses require fresh water. South Africa is a semi-arid country and in the following years water will become increasingly scarce. Contributing factors are the influences of population growth and thus demand, pollution and the effects of global warming. Land degradation is a concept in which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by one or a combination of more human-induced processes acting upon the land. It is viewed as any change or disturbance of the land perceived to be deleterious or undesirable. Soil erosion from unsustainable agricultural practices and poor land-use management leads to substantial loss of topsoil every year in South Africa. In addition, soil contamination due to activities such as mining contributes to the creation of derelict and unproductive areas. Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Greater biodiversity implies greater health. South African biodiversity is extremely rich and the country has a large base of both faunal and floral species. The conservation of biodiversity contributes to the health and integrity of ecosystems that assist with human existence on this planet e.g. wetlands, pollinators, oxygenisation etc.
•
•
•
•
2.
Briefly depict the environmental legislation hierarchy/ framework in South Africa.
• • •
The Constitution The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) Specific Environmental Management Acts (SEMAs – NEMWA, NEMAQA etc.)
3.
Give the most widely adopted legal definition of the concept “environment” as used in South African law, and provide the full name of the act in which it can be found. “Environment” means the surroundings within which humans exist and that are made up of (i) the land, water and atmosphere of the earth; (ii) micro-organisms, plant and animal life; (iii) any part or combination of (i) and (ii) and the interrelationships among and between them; and (iv) the physical chemical, aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions of the foregoing that influence human health and wellbeing.
4.
Briefly discuss the difference between an impact and an aspect when considering environmental management. (For clarity refer to ISO 14001 definitions). An environmental aspect is a feature or characteristic of an activity, product, or service that affects or can affect the environment. An environmental impact is a change to the environment. Such a change can be positive or negative. Environmental impacts are caused by environmental aspects
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5.
Briefly describe and discuss the project life-cycle process and the role of environmental management in the project life cycle. The “project life cycle” refers to a logical sequence of activities performed to accomplish the project’s goals or objectives. Regardless of its scope or complexity, any project goes through a series of stages during its life. There is first an initiation or birth phase, in which the outputs and critical success factors are defined, followed by a planning phase, characterized by breaking down the project into smaller parts/tasks, an execution phase, in which the project plan is executed, and lastly a closure or exit phase, that marks the completion of the project. Environmental management is essential through the life-cycle of a product and quality management system such as ISO 14001 will assist an organisation in evaluating environmental aspects and impacts through the various stages of a project life cycle.
6.
Name and briefly describe two environmental management tools that can be used at each stage of the model discussed in question 5 above.
7.
EIA SEA EMS CSR
When considering the concept of environmental management, state which management model finds wide application, especially with regards to ISO 14001-based environmental management systems.
Name and describe the different processes as contained in this model.
8.
Briefly discuss the precautionary principle applicable to environmental management by making use of a practical example. The precautionary principle or precautionary approach states that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or to the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus that the action or policy is harmful, the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those taking the action.
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9.
Your company has tasked you with investigating whether or not a specific project will require an environmental impact assessment to be conducted. State how you will determine if an EIA will be required, and which pieces of legislation will be applicable. Also explain the difference between a Basic Assessment and a full EIA. Investigation into GNR. 543, 544 and 545 will indicate whether a full EIA or a Basic Assessment is required for the project. The final EIA report is the comprehensive examination of the issues and impacts identified in the scoping report. The EIA report must also contain an environmental management plan that sets forth the applicant/developer's proposals for managing the environmental impacts of the project from the planning and design stage through construction and operation to decommissioning. The plan must contain a detailed description of the activities covered by the plan and the persons responsible for the implementation of the plan. A Basic Assessment on the other hand is applied to activities that are considered to have a less significant effect on the environment than those that trigger GNR. 545, and thus trigger a full EIA.
10.
Briefly describe and discuss the waste hierarchy as found in the National Environmental Management Waste Act. The National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008) acknowledges the internationally recognised hierarchy of waste management, stating that sustainable development requires that waste generation is avoided, or if it cannot be avoided, that the waste is reduced, reused, recycled or recovered (which includes co-processing), and as a last resort treated (which includes incineration) and/or safely disposed of. The Act requires the licensing of waste activities, and places an obligation on both generators and disposers to ensure that waste is managed and disposed of appropriately. The Act also provides for setting national norms and standards, and specific waste management measures that include the licensing of waste management activities, the identification of priority wastes, and the prescription of measures for dealing with such wastes.
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT BASICS MEMO 1.
What is occupational health and safety? Occupational health and safety is a cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment.
2.
Why is occupational health and safety important? Good health and safety at work are important not only in human terms, to help reduce workers’ pain and suffering. Ensuring good health and safety is also a way of ensuring that enterprises are successful and sustainable, and that economies thrive in the long term.
3.
Explain what an occupational health and safety hazard is. A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effect on something or someone under certain conditions at work.
4.
Explain what an occupational health and safety risk is. Risk is the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard. It may also apply to situations with property or equipment loss.
5.
What is the relationship between occupational health and safety hazards and risks? A hazard represents a condition with the potential for harm while a risk represents the likelihood of harm being done as well as the potential severity of the harm. If all factors are equal, especially the exposures and the people subject to them, then the risk is proportional to the hazard.
6.
Identify a number of occupational hazards and some of the types of work generally associated with those hazards. • • • •
7.
Unshielded machinery, unsafe structures in the workplace and dangerous tools are some of the most prevalent workplace hazards. Blood-borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B are major occupational hazards for healthcare workers. Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most prevalent occupational health effects in some high-risk sectors such as mining, manufacturing and construction. High exposures to chemical hazards are most common in industries that process chemicals and metals, in the manufacture of certain consumer goods, in the production of textiles and artificial fibers, and in the construction industry.
Identify some sources of physical occupational health and safety hazards. • Noise • Vibration • Lighting • Barotrauma (hypobaric/hyperbaric pressure) • Ionizing radiation • Electricity • Asphyxiation • Cold stress (hypothermia) • Heat stress (hyperthermia) • Dehydration (due to sweating)
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8.
Identify some sources of chemical Occupational Health and Safety hazards. • • • • • • • •
9.
Identify some sources of biological Occupational Health and Safety hazards. • • • • • •
10.
Acids Bases Heavy metals o Lead Solvents o Petroleum Particulates o Asbestos and other fine dust/fibrous materials o Silica Fumes (noxious gases/vapors) Highly-reactive chemicals Fire, conflagration and explosion hazards: o Explosion o Deflagration o Detonation o Conflagration
Bacteria Viruses Fungi Mold Blood-borne pathogens Tuberculosis
Identify some sources of other Occupational Health and Safety hazards. Mechanical hazards include: By type of agent: • Impact force • Collisions • Falls from height • Being struck by objects • Confined spaces • Slips and trips • Falling on a pointed object • Compressed air/high pressure fluids (such as cutting fluid) • Entanglement • Equipment-related injury
By type of damage: • Crushing • Friction and abrasion • Shearing • Stabbing and puncture Psychosocial issues include: • Work-related stress; causal factors include excessive working time and overwork • Violence from outside the organisation • Bullying, which may include emotional and verbal abuse • Sexual harassment • Mobbing • Burnout • Exposure to unhealthy elements during meetings with business associates, e.g. tobacco, uncontrolled alcohol
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11.
What are some of the potential consequences of the occurrence of Occupational Health and Safety hazards? • Bodily injury • Disease • Change in the way the body functions, grows, or develops • Effects on a developing fetus (teratogenic effects, fetotoxic effects) • Effects on children, grandchildren, etc. (inheritable genetic effects) • Decrease in life span • Change in mental condition resulting from stress, traumatic experiences, exposure to solvents, and so on; and • Effects on the ability to accommodate additional stress.
12.
What can be done to control Occupational Health and Safety hazards? The main ways to control a hazard include: • Elimination (including substitution): remove the hazard from the workplace. • Engineering Controls: these include designs or modifications to plants, equipment, ventilation systems, and processes that reduce the source of exposure. • Administrative Controls: these are controls that alter the way the work is done, including the timing of work, policies and other rules, and work practices such as standards and operating procedures (including training, housekeeping, and equipment maintenance, and personal hygiene practices). • Personal Protective Equipment: equipment worn by individuals to reduce exposure such as contact with chemicals or exposure to noise.
13.
What do you understand regarding the hierarchy of controls for Occupational Health and Safety hazards? The methods described above are also known as the "hierarchy of control" because they should be considered in the order presented. (It is always best to try to eliminate the hazard first.)
14.
What law regulates Occupational Health and Safety in South African industries? The Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act No. 85 of 1993
15.
What law regulates Occupational Health and Safety in South African mines? The Mine Health and Safety Act, Act No. 29 of 1996
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