Qualification Structure

The ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the RQF. The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 1,064 hours and 532 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Assessment is assignment-based and evidence-based, requiring learners to demonstrate occupational health and safety competence through workplace evidence and assessment activities. Learner evidence is assessed and quality assured in line with ProQual requirements.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all 10 required units.

Core Study Units

Unit 1: Promote a Positive Health and Safety Culture

Learning outcomes:

• Develop the ability to advocate and promote a positive health and safety culture throughout an organisation.
• Develop effective relationships and professional links with appropriate internal and external people and groups involved in occupational health and safety.
• Understand the nature, importance and organisational role of a positive health and safety culture, including how communication and stakeholder engagement can support its development.
• Develop and maintain a professional development portfolio that supports continuing professional development, reflective practice, professional ethics, workplace diversity and ongoing evaluation of professional competence.

Unit 2: Develop and Implement the Health and Safety Policy

Learning outcomes:

• Establish and evaluate the statutory, organisational and workplace health and safety requirements relevant to an organisation.
• Develop a health and safety policy that addresses identified deficiencies, organisational requirements, available resources and stakeholder expectations.
• Implement the health and safety policy effectively, including planning implementation, managing feedback, providing appropriate support and maintaining suitable documentation.
• Understand the purpose and role of a health and safety policy, organisational systems, stakeholder involvement, motivation, statutory requirements and industry best practice.
• Maintain and record continuing professional development relevant to occupational health and safety practice.

Unit 3: Develop and Implement Effective Communication Systems for Health and Safety Information

Learning outcomes:

• Evaluate health and safety information from legislation, codes of practice, standards, risk assessment methods, technical developments and industry best practice.
• Develop and manage effective systems for communicating health and safety information within the organisation, including information relating to materials, equipment, services, resources and safety performance.
• Control the effectiveness of health and safety communication systems, including statutory reporting and communication with regulators, authorities, contractors, stakeholders and other interested parties.
• Understand the principles of effective written, verbal and electronic communication and the external factors that influence health and safety information systems.
• Maintain and record professional development in accordance with continuing professional development and professional practice requirements.

Unit 4: Develop and Maintain Individual and Organisational Competence in Health and Safety Matters

Learning outcomes:

• Assess the health and safety competence requirements associated with organisational functions, activities, tasks and job roles.
• Establish individual and organisational health and safety competence requirements and address identified competence gaps.
• Design, develop, deliver and evaluate appropriate health and safety training to meet identified organisational and individual needs.
• Understand the principles of competence, activity analysis, task analysis and job safety analysis, including the relationship between competence, skills, qualifications and effective training.
• Understand the factors that influence individual and organisational competence, including statutory requirements, industry best practice and quality requirements for health and safety documentation.
• Maintain and record professional development through a structured personal development portfolio, reflective practice and continuing professional development.

Unit 5: Identify, Assess and Control Health and Safety Risks

Learning outcomes:

• Conduct effective workplace inspections to identify, examine and evaluate occupational health and safety hazards arising from existing and proposed activities, workplaces, equipment and processes.
• Assess health and safety risks using appropriate risk assessment methods, exposure assessment techniques, instruments and other suitable approaches.
• Determine and prioritise risks affecting employees and other persons who may be affected by organisational activities.
• Develop and implement appropriate risk control measures and safe systems of work based on statutory requirements, organisational needs and industry best practice.
• Evaluate existing control measures, identify improvements, determine resource requirements, consider cost-effectiveness and consult relevant managers, representatives and employees.
• Understand hazard identification, risk analysis, exposure assessment, risk acceptability, risk control principles and the hierarchy of risk controls.
• Maintain accurate and appropriate records relating to hazards, risk assessments and implemented control measures.
• Maintain and record continuing professional development relevant to occupational health and safety risk management.

Unit 6: Develop and Implement Proactive Monitoring Systems for Health and Safety

Learning outcomes:

• Develop workplace inspection and monitoring systems that support proactive health and safety performance measurement and comply with organisational and regulatory requirements.
• Determine the competence, resources, equipment, methodology and frequency required for effective proactive monitoring.
• Implement inspection and monitoring arrangements in consultation with managers, employee representatives and employees.
• Review health and safety records, documentation and monitoring outcomes to determine whether proactive performance monitoring is being effectively managed.
• Communicate proactive monitoring results to directors, managers, employee representatives and employees and produce appropriate reports and recommendations.
• Interpret health and safety monitoring information clearly for non-specialist audiences and respond appropriately to regulatory requirements.
• Understand the principles, purpose and application of active health and safety monitoring, including workplace inspections, activity observations, sampling routines, monitoring equipment and communication.
• Maintain and record professional development associated with proactive health and safety monitoring practice.

Unit 7: Develop and Implement Reactive Monitoring Systems for Health and Safety

Learning outcomes:

• Develop effective systems for reporting and recording health and safety loss events and ensure appropriate information is maintained and reported to relevant authorities.
• Implement health and safety loss-event investigation systems and procedures, including determining which events require formal investigation.
• Conduct investigations into health and safety loss events and support the implementation of recommendations arising from investigation findings.
• Conduct statistical and epidemiological analysis of health and safety loss-event data and communicate findings effectively to relevant organisational stakeholders.
• Communicate reactive health and safety monitoring outcomes through appropriate written and verbal reports and provide recommendations based on findings.
• Understand reactive monitoring systems, loss-event investigation methods, reporting requirements, causal analysis, statistical techniques and relevant statutory and common-law considerations.
• Maintain accurate records relating to loss events, investigations and statistical or epidemiological analysis.
• Maintain and record continuing professional development relevant to reactive health and safety monitoring.

Unit 8: Develop and Implement Health and Safety Emergency Response Systems and Procedures

Learning outcomes:

• Identify potential sources of emergencies within an organisation and evaluate the organisation's ability to provide appropriate first aid, medical and firefighting resources.
• Develop effective emergency response procedures that address organisational hazards, statutory requirements, communication arrangements and potential emergency scenarios.
• Establish the necessary competence, facilities, equipment, resources and communication arrangements required for effective emergency response.
• Implement procedures for controlling health and safety emergencies and establish effective liaison with emergency services, regulatory authorities and local authorities.
• Communicate emergency response plans to appropriate people and respond effectively to requests from authorities, emergency services, media and other interested parties.
• Ensure appropriate investigation, documentation and record-keeping following health and safety emergencies.
• Understand the principles and organisational role of emergency response systems, including first aid, medical provision, fire precautions, major disasters, environmental incidents and other significant emergencies.
• Maintain and record professional development relevant to emergency preparedness and occupational health and safety practice.

Unit 9: Develop and Implement Health and Safety Review Systems

Learning outcomes:

• Investigate the efficiency, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different components of an organisation's health and safety management system.
• Establish appropriate review frequencies and identify the factors and features required for effective health and safety management system performance.
• Evaluate whether individual components of the health and safety management system are operating as intended.
• Assess the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the health and safety management system and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and manage changes designed to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of health and safety management systems.
• Maintain appropriate records of health and safety management system reviews and improvement activities.
• Understand the principles and role of health and safety review systems, organisational management systems, record management, statutory requirements and industry best practice.
• Maintain and record professional development relevant to health and safety management system review and continual improvement.

Unit 10: Maintain Knowledge of Improvements to Influence Health and Safety Practice

Learning outcomes:

• Identify, evaluate and monitor new developments in occupational health and safety legislation, policies, practices, technical knowledge and professional guidance.
• Evaluate how developments in health and safety can affect organisational activities and advocate appropriate improvements within the organisation.
• Participate in professional technical groups and contribute to the development and improvement of occupational health and safety practice.
• Identify opportunities to participate in professional discussions, reviews, committees and activities concerned with health and safety best practice.
• Influence colleagues, professional groups and organisations by communicating evidence-based health and safety improvements and encouraging the adoption of appropriate good practice.
• Understand the importance of maintaining current health and safety knowledge, evaluating reliable information sources and using effective written, verbal and electronic communication.
• Evaluate the influence of professional, technical and non-professional groups and professional organisations on improvements in occupational health and safety practice.
• Maintain continuing professional development and a personal development portfolio that demonstrates ongoing competence, reflective practice, professional ethics, diversity and contribution to professional discussion.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is designed for experienced occupational health and safety professionals who already have meaningful responsibility for workplace health and safety and want to formally demonstrate their competence through a structured, work-based qualification. Because the qualification is focused on occupational competence and evidence from professional practice, it is particularly relevant to individuals working in roles where health and safety responsibilities extend beyond routine inspections or basic compliance activities.

This qualification is suitable for:

• Occupational Health and Safety Managers responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing organisational health and safety systems.
• Health and Safety Managers and Advisors who provide professional advice on workplace hazards, risk controls, legal requirements, policies, and safety performance.
• Health and Safety Officers and Coordinators whose responsibilities include workplace inspections, risk assessment, incident investigation, monitoring, reporting, and safety improvement.
• Occupational Health and Safety Practitioners seeking formal recognition of competence developed through practical workplace experience.
• HSE Managers and HSE Professionals working across construction, manufacturing, engineering, energy, logistics, facilities management, utilities, healthcare, and other higher-risk sectors.
• Compliance Specialists responsible for maintaining organisational compliance with applicable occupational health and safety requirements, policies, procedures, and management systems.
• Risk Management Professionals involved in identifying hazards, evaluating workplace risks, implementing controls, and reviewing the effectiveness of risk-management arrangements.
• Health and Safety Consultants who advise organisations on improving safety management systems, workplace controls, monitoring arrangements, and continual improvement.
• Safety Supervisors and Senior Safety Personnel who have progressed into positions involving greater responsibility for organisational health and safety performance.
• Professionals responsible for health and safety management systems who contribute to policy development, implementation, auditing, monitoring, review, and improvement.
• Workplace safety professionals involved in incident investigation who need to demonstrate competence in reactive monitoring, loss-event investigation, analysis, reporting, and corrective action.
• Professionals responsible for emergency preparedness and response who contribute to developing and implementing organisational emergency procedures and response arrangements.
• Health and safety training and competence personnel involved in identifying competence requirements, addressing training needs, and supporting organisational safety capability.
• Experienced professionals progressing into senior H&S roles who need a recognised qualification that reflects practical occupational competence rather than purely theoretical study.
• Professionals seeking formal recognition of existing workplace competence who can generate suitable evidence from their current occupational responsibilities.

Career Opportunities

The ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice provides experienced health and safety professionals with the opportunity to formally demonstrate their occupational competence across a broad range of workplace safety responsibilities. The qualification is particularly relevant to professionals working in occupational health and safety, HSE, risk management, compliance, construction, engineering, manufacturing, energy, logistics, facilities management, and other sectors where effective safety management is essential. It develops and recognises competence in areas such as health and safety policy, workplace risk management, safety communication, competence development, proactive and reactive monitoring, emergency response, health and safety reviews, and continual improvement.

The qualification is especially valuable for professionals whose existing roles involve applying health and safety requirements within real workplace environments and contributing to organisational safety performance. Its assignment-based and evidence-based assessment approach enables occupational competence to be demonstrated through relevant professional activities, workplace evidence, reports, work products, observations, discussions, and other appropriate forms of evidence. This makes the qualification a strong option for experienced practitioners seeking formal recognition of their capabilities while strengthening their professional profile and supporting progression towards roles involving greater responsibility for occupational health and safety management, risk control, compliance, organisational assurance, and continual improvement.

Future Progression

Upon successful completion of the ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, the learner can use the qualification as a strong foundation for continued professional development, higher-level study, and progression towards roles involving greater responsibility for occupational health and safety management. The qualification develops competence across health and safety policy, risk management, proactive and reactive monitoring, emergency response, communication, competence development, management system review, and continual improvement, providing a broad professional base for advancing within the health and safety field.

The learner may choose to complement the qualification with continuing professional development (CPD), specialist occupational health and safety training, management system qualifications, auditing programmes, risk management education, or sector-specific professional development. Depending on career objectives, further learning may focus on areas such as occupational hygiene, construction safety, process safety, environmental management, incident investigation, emergency management, safety auditing, contractor management, or integrated management systems. Maintaining current knowledge is particularly important for professionals working in environments where legislation, standards, technology, and organisational risk profiles continue to evolve.

The qualification can also support progression towards senior and specialist positions such as Occupational Health and Safety Manager, HSE Manager, Health and Safety Manager, Senior Health and Safety Advisor, Health and Safety Consultant, Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner, Safety Assurance Manager, Risk Management Specialist, Health and Safety Compliance Manager, and Health and Safety Auditor. Career progression will depend on occupational experience, employer requirements, sector-specific competence, additional professional development, and the scope of responsibility held within the workplace.

For professionals already working in health and safety, the qualification can therefore serve as an important stage in a longer-term career pathway, helping demonstrate practical competence while supporting progression from operational safety responsibilities towards strategic health and safety leadership, organisational risk governance, compliance assurance, safety performance management, and continual improvement.