HSE Fundamentals: online course for South Africa
An introduction to Health, Safety and Environment (often called OHS in South Africa): identifying hazards, assessing risk, safe systems of work and responding to incidents. The lessons are set in oil & gas, and the same principles apply on South African mines, construction sites and plants.
Course fee R1,235 · or start with R247 · pay with Card · EFT
Payments in South Africa open soon. The first lesson is free to try now.
Who this course is for in South Africa
It is written for graduates, university and TVET college students, and young professionals. No previous experience is needed.
- Graduates and TVET students who want a first step towards an OHS or SHE officer role
- Workers and supervisors on mines, construction sites and plants who want to understand safety systems
- Anyone preparing for a recognised qualification such as SAMTRAC or NEBOSH who wants the foundations first
Where these skills are used in South Africa
The course's industry pathways most relevant here: Mining · Construction.
- Mining
- Mines run on risk assessments, permits, safety representatives and incident investigation under dedicated mine safety law.
- Construction
- Contractors need people who can run inspections, toolbox talks and site safety files.
- Manufacturing and energy
- Plants and energy sites rely on hazard identification, PPE and emergency response.
See what South African employers are advertising right now on our latest jobs board for South Africa, updated daily.
South African laws and regulators to know
The lessons are the same in every country and use Nigerian regulation as their worked examples. They teach the principles, not South Africa’s law in detail, so read these alongside the course:
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993
- South Africa's main workplace safety law, enforced by the Department of Employment and Labour.
- Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996
- Safety law for mines, enforced by the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate.
- Construction Regulations, 2014
- Safety duties for clients, contractors and safety officers on construction work.
What you’ll learn
| Day | Topic |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Core HSE concepts, using oil & gas as the setting |
| Day 2 | Hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA) |
| Day 3 | Legal frameworks and international standards |
| Day 4 | PPE, permit to work, gas testing and contractor safety |
| Day 5 | Emergency preparedness, fire safety and first aid basics |
| Day 6 | Incident investigation, reporting and root cause analysis |
| Day 7 | Environmental management, pollution and spill response |
| Day 8 | Safety culture, audits, inspections and HSE careers |
Every lesson is illustrated and has a matching video. Each day ends with a short quiz and an assignment, and the course finishes with a capstone project you can show employers. It is self-paced with lifetime access, and you can try the first lesson free before paying.
Your certificate, and what it isn’t
Your Paleon certificate of completion shows you finished an introductory HSE course. It is not a QCTO-registered qualification, SAMTRAC, NEBOSH or a SACPCMP registration, which employers may ask for in OHS officer roles. This course is a practical foundation for them.
When you finish, including the capstone, we help you write a CV that presents your project as real work, and provide a reference confirming what you completed. We teach skills; we don’t promise jobs.
Who runs the course
Paleon Training Limited is an online training company registered in Nigeria (Warri, Delta State), with operations in the United Kingdom. There is no Paleon office in South Africa: the course is taught entirely online, and you can reach us by WhatsApp on +44 7508 823495 or at hello@paleontraining.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as SAMTRAC or NEBOSH?
No. Those are recognised, examined qualifications. This is a shorter, practical introduction that many people take first.
Does it cover the OHS Act?
The legal lesson uses Nigerian regulation and international standards as its examples. Read the OHS Act, the Mine Health and Safety Act and the Construction Regulations alongside it.
Is it useful for mining?
Yes. Hazard identification, permits, PPE, emergencies and incident investigation work the same way on a mine as on an oil & gas site.
How much is it?
R1,235, or start with a R247 deposit. Pay by card or EFT.
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