, QUESTION 1 [10]
Human competence varies significantly among individuals and is
determined by a combination of knowledge, skills, and practical
experience required to perform a specific task or deal with the
requirements of a given situation. Briefly explain two different types of
human competencies and their related threshold limits.
Human competence is essential in ensuring occupational health and safety,
particularly in high-risk environments like construction. Competence is
composed of various elements, such as knowledge, experience, and practical
ability (Bezuidenhout, 2017). Two major types of competence are cognitive
competence and functional competence.
Cognitive competence involves the mental skills necessary to comprehend
safety procedures, assess risks, and make sound decisions on site. It
includes awareness of regulations, environmental conditions, and task-
specific risks. In the Ballito case, workers operating close to an unstable
embankment required cognitive competence to recognize early signs of soil
movement and take appropriate action (Masilela, 2024). The threshold limit
for this type of competence includes understanding standard safety protocols
and site-specific risks. A worker lacking this understanding should not be
allowed to undertake independent work in hazardous zones.
Functional competence refers to the physical ability and technical skills to
safely perform a specific task, such as operating machinery or constructing a
retaining wall. Workers in construction must be trained and certified for their
Human competence varies significantly among individuals and is
determined by a combination of knowledge, skills, and practical
experience required to perform a specific task or deal with the
requirements of a given situation. Briefly explain two different types of
human competencies and their related threshold limits.
Human competence is essential in ensuring occupational health and safety,
particularly in high-risk environments like construction. Competence is
composed of various elements, such as knowledge, experience, and practical
ability (Bezuidenhout, 2017). Two major types of competence are cognitive
competence and functional competence.
Cognitive competence involves the mental skills necessary to comprehend
safety procedures, assess risks, and make sound decisions on site. It
includes awareness of regulations, environmental conditions, and task-
specific risks. In the Ballito case, workers operating close to an unstable
embankment required cognitive competence to recognize early signs of soil
movement and take appropriate action (Masilela, 2024). The threshold limit
for this type of competence includes understanding standard safety protocols
and site-specific risks. A worker lacking this understanding should not be
allowed to undertake independent work in hazardous zones.
Functional competence refers to the physical ability and technical skills to
safely perform a specific task, such as operating machinery or constructing a
retaining wall. Workers in construction must be trained and certified for their
