Is this the same as Hazardous Chemical Substances (HCS) training?

Yes. The Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021 replaced the Hazardous Chemical Substances (HCS) Regulations, 1995, so the course now carries the new name. Many people still call it HCS training: it is the same course, brought up to date.

Is this the same as Hazchem training?

Not quite. Many people call workplace chemical training Hazchem, but in South Africa Hazchem usually means the dangerous goods driver certificate needed for the PrDP. This course is for teams who receive, store, use and dispose of chemicals at work, and it does not replace the driver certificate.

What does the course cover?

Eight modules: the governance of hazardous chemical agents, risk assessment, control, safety data sheets, receiving and transport of dangerous goods, medical surveillance and biological monitoring, labelling, storage and disposal, and a self-assessment. The learner guide also has a section for notes on your own workplace, a quick reference and a glossary.

How long is the course and how many people can attend?

One full day of 8 hours. Onsite, a facilitator trains up to 15 people. A private online session for your team takes up to 25, so there is still time for questions.

What certificate do delegates get, and how long is it valid?

Delegates receive a DDi certificate of completion. Validity is set by your company's policy. DDi recommends a refresher every year.

Teams in food, beverage, home-care and personal-care production plants and warehouses, and anyone in any industry who works with chemicals: the people who receive, store, use and dispose of them, their supervisors and managers, and SHE Representatives.

Where does it run and what does it cost?

Onsite at your workplace, anywhere in South Africa and in other African countries, with travel and accommodation quoted. From R805 per person for groups of 20 or more (R1,050 for 4 to 9), excl. VAT. For 30 or more people, ask us, bigger discounts apply.

HCA Training: Hazardous Chemical Agents, formerly HCS

Q: Is there an assessment?

Yes, a written assessment. There is no practical assessment. Onsite, the facilitator also walks through your site with you to discuss your own chemical issues and how to put the course into practice.

Q: Can the course be tailored to our chemicals and site?

Yes, for a big enough group or as part of a long-term contract, we customise the course to the chemicals you use and the way your site works.

Hazardous Chemical Agents (HCA) Training

Formerly called Hazardous Chemical Substances (HCS) training. Onsite training for teams that work with, store or handle hazardous chemicals, in line with the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021.

Onsite for your group anywhere in South Africa and in other African countries, travel and accommodation quoted. Rather not pay for travel? We run the same course online for your team.

★★★★★ 4.9 from 257+ Google reviews Based in Centurion. Onsite across Gauteng, anywhere in South Africa and in other African countries, with travel quoted.

Benefits of Working With DDi

OHS Act compliant training

Certified first aiders, SHE reps and fire teams, so your OHS Act boxes are ticked.

We come to you

We handle the admin and train your team at your workplace.

Facilitators with real-life experience

Facilitators with real emergency experience, who answer every question.

Lekker interactive, never boring

Engaging, clear and fun, so people stay switched on all day.

Practical, hands-on learning

Set theory time, hands-on practice and an assessment on the day, not a day of slides.

About the course

Many workplaces receive, store, use and dispose of chemicals that can harm people if they are handled the wrong way. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021, employers must know which chemicals are on site, assess the risks of exposure, control them and train the people who work with them.

This one-day course gives your team a practical understanding of working with hazardous chemical agents: what the law expects, how to assess and control the risks, how to read a safety data sheet, how chemicals arrive on site, and how to label, store and dispose of them safely.

The Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021 replaced the Hazardous Chemical Substances (HCS) Regulations, 1995. Many people still use the old name, so you may know this course as HCS training: it is the same course, brought up to date.

Built around your workplace

The learner guide has a “My workplace” section where delegates note the chemicals, controls and procedures on their own site, plus a quick reference and a glossary to keep at hand after the course.

When we train onsite, the facilitator also walks through your site with you to discuss your chemical issues and how to put the course into practice. For a big enough group, or as part of a long-term contract, we customise the course to the chemicals you use and the way your site works.

Course Information

Course Details

Duration: 1 full day, 8 hours.
Group size: up to 15 people per facilitator onsite, and up to 25 in a private online session.
Assessment: a written assessment. There is no practical assessment.
Certificate: a DDi certificate of completion. Validity is set by your company’s policy. DDi recommends a refresher every year.
Venue: onsite at your workplace, anywhere in South Africa and in other African countries, with travel and accommodation quoted. Or a private online session for your team, no travel.
Pricing: from R805 per person for groups of 20 or more (R1,050 for 4 to 9), excl. VAT, or the same per-person rate online. Contact us for a quote for your group and location.

Who is this course for?

Teams in food, beverage, home-care and personal-care production plants and warehouses
Anyone in any industry who works with chemicals: receiving, storing, using or disposing of them
Supervisors and managers responsible for areas where chemicals are used
SHE Representatives and safety committee members

Who should attend: your risk assessment decides who needs the training and how many.

Chemical hazards are one part of a full risk assessment. See our HIRA Training, or read Identifying Workplace Safety Hazards. Chemical safety procedures also belong in your health and safety file, and a safety audit can check how chemicals are stored and handled on your site.

Got questions about hazardous chemical agents training?

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4.9★★★★★257+ reviewsRead all reviews

“DDi provided practical and informative training to our OHS representatives and First aiders. The presenters are professional and knowledgeable. The customer relations contact did a great job providing the necessary information, taking care of administration and logistical arrangements. We will most certainly make use of their services again to train our staff in the OHS environment.”
Dion Botha

Good to have Kerry at our office very patient and excellent teaching skills

★★★★★Uma Mahesh Karothi

Hazardous Chemical Agents (HCA) Training

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