2.2.14 Certified Event Safety Practitioner

Description

The “Certified Event Safety Practitioner” designation signifies an individual’s comprehensive knowledge and commitment to safe working practices in the events industry and asserts their commitment to continuing professional development in this field. A Certified Event Safety Practitioner has demonstrated their broad understanding of standards, regulations and laws relating to event safety, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the role and responsibility of agencies involved in the inspection and approval of event power and temporary demountable structures.

Benefits

Become a member of SACIA and use the designatory letters ESP behind their name

Offer employers and colleagues assurance of commitment to the events industry

Be listed on the National Learners’ Record Database

Qualifying criteria

The candidate should hold either a National Senior Certificate (qualification ID 49647), a National Certificate Vocational (qualification ID 50441), an FET Certificate: Event Support (qualification ID 67461) or any other relevant NQF-level 4 qualification.

The candidate should also have minimum 2 year’s relevant work experience in the events industry. Individuals working on a freelance basis should demonstrate that they have worked a minimum 105 days in each year.

Assessment

Applicants write an online multiple-choice exam and are required to provide a portfolio of evidence supporting their claim of competence. The Portfolio of Evidence is independently assessed by the SACIA certification council

Preparing a portfolio of evidence

There is no definitive list of documents that should appear within the portfolio but generally it would include:

• a Risk Assessment and an Event Safety Plan for a low-risk event as described in chapter 2 of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act (SASREA)
• A detailed CV including a list of events the candidate has worked on
• Testimonials and letters of recommendation supporting an individual’s claim of knowledge, experience and competence
• A list of any awards or commendations received

Their portfolio of evidence should also demonstrate the candidates understanding of the standards, regulations and legislation that applies to the events industry. An assessment will be conducted by a body of subject matter experts.

Recognition of Prior Learning

SACIA’s certification council recognize that many of the applicants for this designation will not hold an underlying NQF-level 4 qualification. The Council will encourage individual’s lacking such a qualification to apply for a professional designation if they can demonstrate at least four year’s relevant work experience in event safety. or in the case of individual’s working on a freelance basis, 3,000 hours of relevant work experience.

Designation competencies

An individual applying for recognition as a Certified Event Safety Practitioner should be able to demonstrate:

1. A fundamental knowledge of event safety practices across multiple event formats, and a fundamental understanding of the key terms, rules, concepts, established principles and theories related to event safety.

2. The candidate should demonstrate a broad understanding of standards, regulations and laws relating to event safety (including but not limited to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, SANS10366, Safety at Sports & Recreational Events Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Employment Equity Act (Section 6), Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, and the Disaster Management Act), and should understand how these are applied across multiple event formats.

3. Abroad understanding of dispute resolution techniques applicable to both public and private spaces, as well as practical experience in the implementation of guidelines, processes and procedures required for planning, organising and running events.

4. The ability to adhere to the SACIA code of professional conduct, and the ability to understand societal values and ethics. In particular, the candidate should demonstrate a broad understanding of gender-based violence, discrimination, victimisation, sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation that may apply in an event environment.

5. The ability to communicate and present event and safety information reliably and accurately in written and in oral form.

6. An understanding of the organisational structure used in the events industry, including the role and responsibility of agencies involved in the inspection and approval of event power and temporary demountable structures.

7. A fundamental ability to conduct a risk analysis on events across multiple formats

Application Process

The Application Form is completed and submitted to SACIA for processing, together with the required supporting documentation. This includes the registration fee.

Candidates are notified of outcome of evaluation

Successful candidates are Certified, and their name is added to the National Learners Records Database

Continuing professional development (CPD) requirements

Designated members are required to:

• maintain annual membership of SACIA
• pay an annual certification fee to SACIA
• subscribe to the SACIA code of professional conduct
• comply with the CPD requirements as stipulated by SACIA

It is important to note that:

• Professional designations are awarded at the discretion of the SACIA board;
• SACIA reserves the right to check the records of applicants as part of the application process;
• Certificates issued by SACIA remain the property of SACIA and must be returned should the individual for any reason lose their status as designee.
• In instances where a candidate does not hold an appropriate qualification, recognition of workplace learning, and extended work experience will be considered in an evaluation.

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