M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School. / The purpose of this study is to investigate the internal behavioural barriers to the implementation of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP). This investigation aims to assist the hospitality industry in implementing best practice in food hygiene to maximise public food safety and profitability. It also aims to investigate and possibly generate creative initiatives to control and monitor the long-term implementation of hazard analysis and critical control point principles in the sector so as to render it competitive on an international level.

The current business environment demands a more integrated approach to risk management due to the complex interrelationship and reliance across all divisions of an organisation. It is no longer sufficient to manage risk by individual or functional area. Organisations around the world now benefit from a more comprehensive approach to dealing with all risks. The study has been influenced by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's (TBS) Integrated Risk Management Framework (IRM). Its aim is to promote and increase awareness of IRM across all departments in the Eastern Cape Provincial Government (ECPG). The study establishes progress towards implementation of IRM. The research scope covered thirteen government departments in the Eastern Cape. The study includes researching recent best public and private integrated risk management practices, both internationally and locally. The approach included development of a questionnaire on best practices and on principles of Integrated Risk Management based on TBS Integrated Risk Management Framework. Interviews were conducted and results documented to understand perceptions of the adequacy of current risk information in various departments and to discuss possible improvements to IRM. The process of collecting data for this study allowed information sharing with each department regarding current IRM Practices, and stimulated discussion on the nature and importance of IRM and actions that could move IRM forward. The research highlights key elements of IRM and establishes the progress by departments in implementing these elements. It also focuses on techniques and approaches that are used by the departments in dealing with IRM implementation. It uses Risk Management Maturity Continuum developed by Deloitte & Touche to determine extend to which departments have implemented their IRM. Lastly, the study highlights tools and techniques for strengthening of implementation of IRM based on best practices and conclude by making recommendations. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

Knowledge and safer practices regarding occupational exposure are crucial to all employees working in healthcare facilities, especially Tuberculosis (TB) hospitals. This study aimed to explore and describe the knowledge and practices of employees working in three specialised TB hospitals regarding occupational exposure to TB. The results of the study will be used to make recommendations to the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) and hospital managers that could assist in reducing the prevalence of occupational TB. This quantitative, descriptive and contextual study was conducted in three specialised TB hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD). Convenience sampling was used to select the research participants. The knowledge and practices of 181 employees towards occupational exposure to TB and infection control was measured through a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire covered areas such as the knowledge of TB and infection control, the infection control policy, infrastructure as well as patient transportation. The whole population was targeted and out of a potential 253 employees, 181 were on duty during the stage of data collection and agreed to willingly participate in the study. The data was analysed descriptively using MS excel and MS word. This study revealed that 69% (n=124/181) of employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD have adequate knowledge of infection control. However, only 10% (n=18/181) of employees reported appropriate infection control practices, while almost half of the participants 42% (n=76) apparently practice infection control poorly. The majority (78%, n=141) of the employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD reported knowing about the availability of an infection control policy in their respective hospitals, however only 42 % (n=76) have reportedly read the policy. In conclusion, knowledge and practices regarding occupational exposure in specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD is not optimal. It is however, important to note that the majority of employees have knowledge about the TB disease itself and its symptoms. Recommendations were made in order to improve infection control knowledge and practices. These include the development of a plan for purchasing of equipment to address infection control, development of a curriculum specific for non-nursing personnel and the establishment of a plan to ensure the availability of patient consultation rooms and dining halls. A further recommendation deemed important by the researcher was isolation glass as a compulsory specification when purchasing patient transportation vehicles, in order to provide protection for the drivers transporting patients to and from the hospital.

MPH / Department of Public Health / Health and safety issues pertaining to workers are global concerns and a major priority to the employers and government respectively. Employees in general across industries are faced with various health and safety risks. Epidemiological research has shown consistently that waste handlers are mostly exposed to various risks and hazards during their work as compared to other professions globally. This study focused on waste handlers employed by the Thulamela Municipality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study employed qualitative explorative design and targeted all municipal waste handlers. Municipal waste handlers were sampled using non probability purposive sampling. In-depth interviews, using an interview guide, were conducted by the researcher and a voice recorder was used to record data from the participants after obtaining permission from them. The sample size comprised of 18 participants and was determined by data saturation. A thematically analysis technique was used to analyse data. Data from the participants were clustered into main theme, categories and sub-categories. The following themes emerged from data analysis: physical hazards, psychological hazard, biological hazards and chemical hazard. The study revealed that the municipal waste handlers are exposed to various occupational risks and are experiencing shortage of personal protective equipment, ranging from hand gloves, safety helmets, rain coats, overall uniforms, safety jackets and boots, to keep themselves safe from health problems and occupational injury when collecting waste. It is recommended that the Thulamela municipality should prioritise the working conditions for municipal waste handlers, by distributing suitable personal protective equipment such as hands gloves, safety helmet, rain coats, safety jackets and boots) and overalls / NRF

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Substantial literature connects religiousness to physical health; however, few studies have explored the influence of religiousness on risk-taking factors among Black first-entering university students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of religiousness on health risk behaviours among a sample of university students (N = 333) from a predominantly Black university in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The risk behaviours of interest were alcohol consumption, risky sexual behaviours, cigarette smoking, drug use, rates of engagement in physical activity, and patterns of consuming healthy foods daily. The study used a cross-sectional design. Results indicated that intrinsic religiosity was negatively associated with alcohol consumption; risky sexual behaviours, cigarette smoking and drug use, and the effects of gender were present in both relationships. Intrinsic religiosity’s association with alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviours had no gender effect. Nevertheless, there was no direct relationship between diet and physical engagement, although intrinsic religiosity influenced the students’ engagement in physical activity only in the context of gender. It is recommended that a three-way design may be more effective in uncovering some of the associations between intrinsic religiosity and risk behaviours such as eating a healthy diet and engaging in physical activity.

An easy-to-use quantitative risk analysis model is developed for the private security industry in South Africa, which can be used as a suitable analysing tool in the hands of the private security manager. This model incorporate different concepts such as the probability, impact, cost of risk, degree of correction and the newly established human factor concept, which cannot be seen in isolation. This latter concept plays a major part in the overall risk quantification process in establishing a most accurate risk score rating. The human factor concept, also known as the "CHHP" approach, is the first concept, which will round the model of in an effective measuring way. Human factors such as (i) control measures (ii) human attitude towards the risk (iii) handling of the risk and (iv) understanding and implementation of policies and procedures are combined to form part of the total integrated quantitative risk analysis model, also known as the "TIQCAM"-model. The "TIQCAM"-model uses Excel spreadsheet format as the principal means to illustrate the total integration of all risk concepts and also providing the user of the model with a solid foundation in analyze physical and quantifiable security risks. This model will also enable the user to use it as a value-added service to their clients. / Criminology / D. Litt et Phil.(Police Science)

This dissertation is based on the hypothesis that a third dimension, namely investment time horizon, can add value to the more conventional two-dimensional methodology of assessing the relative risk and return attributes of various assets and portfolios in order to enhance investment decisions. This study shows that time horizons should be considered in the investment decision making process and provides concrete evidence that a methodology that is not cognizant of investment time horizon is prone to extensive long-term opportunity cost risk. In addition to providing evidence of investment time horizon relevance, the study makes suggestions as to how time horizons could be incorporated into the risk return assessments of various asset classes and also presents a framework for the more holistic assessment of asset class properties while incorporating time horizons. / Business Management / Thesis (M. Com. (Business Management))

An easy-to-use quantitative risk analysis model is developed for the private security industry in South Africa, which can be used as a suitable analysing tool in the hands of the private security manager. This model incorporate different concepts such as the probability, impact, cost of risk, degree of correction and the newly established human factor concept, which cannot be seen in isolation. This latter concept plays a major part in the overall risk quantification process in establishing a most accurate risk score rating. The human factor concept, also known as the "CHHP" approach, is the first concept, which will round the model of in an effective measuring way. Human factors such as (i) control measures (ii) human attitude towards the risk (iii) handling of the risk and (iv) understanding and implementation of policies and procedures are combined to form part of the total integrated quantitative risk analysis model, also known as the "TIQCAM"-model. The "TIQCAM"-model uses Excel spreadsheet format as the principal means to illustrate the total integration of all risk concepts and also providing the user of the model with a solid foundation in analyze physical and quantifiable security risks. This model will also enable the user to use it as a value-added service to their clients. / Criminology and Security Science / D. Litt et Phil.(Police Science)

This dissertation is based on the hypothesis that a third dimension, namely investment time horizon, can add value to the more conventional two-dimensional methodology of assessing the relative risk and return attributes of various assets and portfolios in order to enhance investment decisions. This study shows that time horizons should be considered in the investment decision making process and provides concrete evidence that a methodology that is not cognizant of investment time horizon is prone to extensive long-term opportunity cost risk. In addition to providing evidence of investment time horizon relevance, the study makes suggestions as to how time horizons could be incorporated into the risk return assessments of various asset classes and also presents a framework for the more holistic assessment of asset class properties while incorporating time horizons. / Business Management / Thesis (M. Com. (Business Management))

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / Geothermal springs exist on all continents of the Earth and are used for a myriad of different applications and uses. The last few years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in these springs due to a proliferation of utilisation of geothermal resources. Despite numerous benefits associated with their use, studies have shown that the water of geothermal springs could contain toxic elements, pathogenic organisms, toxic gases and even elements that are radio-active in nature that may have health impacts on users. The presence of some of these chemicals in the water and air can be traced back to the geological formations through which the thermal waters flow. More than 90 geothermal springs have been identified in South Africa. However, relatively little is known about how South African geothermal springs have been used in the past and how their geochemical composition and land-use around them has changed over time. There is also a scarcity of scientific literature dealing with environmental risk assessment associated with the different uses of geothermal spring water in South Africa. Given this research contextualization, the present study examined the overall water quality and assessed the potential health risks of the geothermal spring and associated waters (hydro spa and overflow pond) of the holiday resort of “Eiland” in the Limpopo Province. The research undertaken for this research project formed part of a bigger Water Research Commission (WRC) research project on geothermal springs in South Africa. Water samples were taken and observations were made of the resort waters during a field trip undertaken during August 2012. Chemical analyses of the samples were performed by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC): Institute for Soil, Climate and Water of South Africa (ISCW). Parameters under investigation included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and various chemical constituents. A comparison of the laboratory results to previous years data and to four domestic water use standards/guidelines was made. These included the EU (1998), SABS (2006), SABS (2011) and the WHO (2011) domestic use water quality standards/guidelines. A risk assessment, based on Aucamp’s (2009) method, was performed for potentially harmful parameters. Overall, the waters of the resort were deemed to be of low risk and therefore not of a health and environmental risk to the users. Although the waters do not satisfy the domestic use water standards, they are suitable for the current recreational purposes of the resort. It is recommended however, that the soil sensitivity be determined for irrigational purposes and toxicology tests be conducted for the fish species inhabiting the overflow pond and small dam in order to determine the possible extent of bioaccumulation. It is recommended that geothermal waters are not used for bottling or for consumption for domestic or therapeutic purposes. In the event of expansion to include such uses a stringent new risk assessment is recommended.