Legal Requirement
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHS Act) applies to agricultural employers in South Africa. The Act and its supporting regulations require that employees who operate hazardous machinery — including chainsaws, tractors, and spray equipment — are properly trained and competent before being permitted to use such equipment.
The Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act 36 of 1947 restricts the application of registered pesticides and herbicides to trained and authorised persons. Untrained application of these substances is a criminal offence.
In the forestry sector, FP&M SETA (Accreditation No. FPM16/PRPACC-022) is the statutory quality authority for DUNMORE-accredited programmes. Employers in the FP&M sector may claim mandatory grant disbursements for training delivered through DUNMORE.
Applicable Legislation & Authorities
Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHS Act) — Chapter 21: Agriculture
The OHS Act applies to agricultural employers. The Regulations applicable to agricultural environments impose duties on employers regarding hazardous machinery (including chainsaws and tractors), chemical handling, and provision of personal protective equipment. Trained operators are required for all prescribed equipment.
National Forests Act 84 of 1998
Governs the sustainable management and protection of South Africa's national forests. Section 7 requires that forestry operations comply with management plans. Workers operating in forest environments must be trained in safety protocols and environmental compliance.
National Veld and Forest Fire Act 101 of 1998
Imposes obligations on owners and occupiers of land in fire danger areas to prevent, control, and suppress veld and forest fires. Section 12 requires that Fire Protection Association (FPA) members maintain trained firefighting capacity. Forestry employers must ensure workers can respond to fire emergencies.
Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act 36 of 1947
Regulates the use, storage, and disposal of pesticides, herbicides, and agricultural chemicals. Section 7 prohibits use by unregistered or untrained applicators. DUNMORE's pest management and herbicide application programmes fulfill this training requirement.
Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 — FP&M SETA
The Forestry, Paper and Manufacturing SETA (FP&M SETA) is the primary sector authority for forestry skills development. DUNMORE is an FP&M SETA-accredited provider (FPM16/PRPACC-022). Employers in the sector can claim SETA grants for qualifying DUNMORE programmes.
Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 — AgriSETA
The Agricultural SETA (AgriSETA) governs skills development in the agricultural sector. DUNMORE is registered with AgriSETA for delivery of aligned agricultural training programmes, including livestock management, pest control, and field safety.
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 (CARA)
Provides for control over the utilisation of natural agricultural resources, including soil conservation, water use, and control of invasive plant species. Land users must comply with relevant CARA regulations and may be required to train workers in responsible land management practices.
QCTO Occupational Qualifications — Forestry Sector
The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) has developed occupational qualifications for the forestry sector at NQF levels 2 to 5. DUNMORE holds three active SDP registrations for QCTO forestry qualifications, including the Chainsaw Operator and Forestry SHE Officer qualifications.
Legislation current as at date of publication. Consult the relevant government gazette and SETA directives for the latest amendments.
Available Programmes
All programmes are FP&M SETA accredited, AgriSETA registered, or QCTO-aligned. Certificates are NQF-registered and nationally transferable.
Chainsaw Operator (Standard)
Safe operation of chainsaws for felling, limbing, and cross-cutting. Covers PPE, maintenance, kickback prevention, and OHS Act compliance. QCTO-registered.
Specialised Chainsaw Operator
Advanced chainsaw operations including directional felling, difficult terrain, and lean-tree management. FP&M SETA accredited.
Forestry SHE Officer
QCTO occupational qualification for appointed safety officers in forestry environments. Covers incident investigation, risk assessment, legislative compliance, and reporting.
Agrochemical (Herbicides / Pesticides)
Covers safe handling, mixing, application, and disposal of agricultural chemicals in line with the Agricultural Remedies Act and Department of Agriculture requirements.
Pest Management
Identification and control of agricultural pests. Covers integrated pest management (IPM), pesticide registration, and compliance with CARA.
Landscape Gardening Fundamentals
Basic horticulture, plant identification, irrigation, and garden maintenance. Suitable for greenkeepers, estate workers, and municipal outdoor teams.
Incident Investigation (Forestry / Field)
Covers post-incident documentation, root cause analysis, COIDA reporting, and corrective action implementation in field and forestry environments.
Field Safety Awareness
General field safety covering snake bite, heat stress, water safety, lone worker protocols, and communication in remote environments.