URGENT - SAIOH statement on BTech petition (24 Oct 2022)

Dear SAIOH Member

It has come to our attention that a number of members have publicly held opposing views with the SAIOH position, requiring an NQF8 as a prerequisite for application for certification as a Registered Occupational Hygienist.

The South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) is responsible for the recognition of professional bodies and registration of professional designations for the purposes of the NQF Act, No. 67 of 2008.   It is a core function of SAIOH to register professional designations in terms of Occupational Hygiene and SAIOH is subject to SAQA directives.  The issue at hand is that SAQA relegated the BTech from an NQF 8 to an NQF 7.  SAIOH was not consulted on this, and the decision was entirely out of SAIOH’s control.  It is not possible for SAIOH to reject the status that a BTech has been revised from an NQF 8 to an NQF 7 and still maintain SAQA registration. 

This SAQA decision does not impact on any existing registration levels and all existing levels of registration will continue to be recognised.  This decision only impacts on the progression to the higher registration level of ROH. SAIOH records indicate that potentially 30 Occupational Hygiene Technologists hold NQF 7 level B Tech qualifications, and it is these 30 members who are potentially impacted by the requirement for an NQF8 to become an ROH.  SAIOH supports that those dissatisfied members approach SAQA for a review of the BTech NQF8 / NQF7 position.  SAIOH confirms publicly in this statement that if SAQA do reverse this NQF8 / NQF7 position, SAIOH will automatically adopt the stance held by SAQA.

As part of maintaining SAIOH’s SAQA and IOHA National Accreditation Recognition registration, SAIOH has an ethics code.  All members annually sign this code to maintain professional registration.  Within the code it notes that we build up the profession by “Carrying out the practice of occupational hygiene according to the highest moral standards and principles”.  Our discussions need to reflect this, ensuring that our profession is not damaged, but rather made stronger through our engagement. 

We have outlined in this letter that it is not in our power to recognise a B Tech as an NQF 8, and we ask that If you have further queries on this or anything else related to this issue, put your query in writing and we will respond. 

Regards,

Hennie van der Westhuizen

SAIOH President 2022