Qualification Structure

The NOCN Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is a 97-credit qualification accredited by NOCN and aligned with professional occupational health and safety practice. The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 970 hours, including 434 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Assessment is assignment-based only, requiring learner to demonstrate occupational health and safety knowledge and competence through structured assignments.

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

Core Study Units

Mandatory Units — 80 Credits

• Promote a Positive Health and Safety Culture — 4 Credits
• Develop and Implement Effective Communication Systems for Health and Safety Information — 8 Credits
• Develop and Maintain Individual and Organisational Competence in Health and Safety Matters — 10 Credits
• Control Health and Safety Risks — 18 Credits
• Develop, Implement and Review Proactive Monitoring Systems for Health and Safety — 10 Credits
• Develop, Implement and Review Reactive Monitoring Systems for Health and Safety — 15 Credits
• Develop and Implement Health and Safety Review Systems — 8 Credits
• Develop, Implement and Monitor Behavioural Safety in the Workplace — 7 Credits

Mandatory Group Total: 80 Credits

Optional Units

• Manage Contractors to Ensure Compliance with Health and Safety — 9 Credits
• Develop and Implement Health and Safety Induction Processes — 9 Credits
• Influence and Keep Pace with Improvements in Health and Safety Practice — 8 Credits
• Develop and Implement the Health and Safety Policy — 14 Credits
• Develop and Implement Health and Safety Emergency Response Systems and Procedures — 12 Credits

Qualification Total: 97 Credits

Who Is This Qualification For?

The NOCN Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is designed for experienced occupational health and safety practitioners who have substantial responsibility for managing, developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing workplace health and safety arrangements. As an NVQ, it is particularly suitable where the learner can demonstrate occupational competence through workplace activities, assignments, and supporting evidence.

This qualification may be appropriate for:

• Occupational Health and Safety Practitioners responsible for managing day-to-day health and safety arrangements within an organisation.
• Health and Safety Managers who develop, implement, monitor, and review organisational health and safety systems.
• Occupational Health and Safety Advisors providing professional advice on workplace risks, compliance, policies, and control measures.
• Health and Safety Officers responsible for implementing workplace procedures and monitoring health and safety performance.
• HSE Managers overseeing occupational health and safety strategies, risk controls, monitoring systems, and organisational improvements.
• Health and Safety Consultants supporting organisations with the development and review of effective health and safety arrangements.
• Compliance Specialists responsible for ensuring workplace practices meet applicable health and safety requirements and organisational standards.
• Risk Management Professionals involved in identifying, evaluating, controlling, and monitoring occupational health and safety risks.
• Construction Health and Safety Professionals managing safety arrangements across construction projects and operational environments.
• Manufacturing Health and Safety Professionals responsible for controlling workplace hazards, improving safety systems, and monitoring operational performance.
• Facilities and Workplace Safety Managers with responsibility for maintaining safe working environments and effective safety procedures.
• Health and Safety Coordinators who contribute to the implementation, communication, monitoring, and review of organisational safety systems.
• Professionals responsible for developing and maintaining health and safety competence across an organisation.
• Practitioners involved in proactive and reactive health and safety monitoring, including inspections, incident investigation, performance review, and corrective action.
• Professionals responsible for promoting a positive health and safety culture and influencing safer workplace behaviours.
• Managers with responsibility for contractor health and safety, workplace induction, emergency response arrangements, or other specialist safety functions.
• Experienced workplace safety professionals seeking formal recognition of existing occupational competence through a workEnvironmental Management Qualifications-based NVQ qualification.
• Health and safety professionals seeking a Level 6 qualification that reflects higher-level responsibilities in the development, implementation, monitoring, and review of occupational health and safety practice.

Career Opportunities

The NOCN Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice provides the learner with the competence and professional skills required to undertake a range of responsibilities within occupational health and safety, workplace compliance, risk management, and organisational safety environments. As organisations place increasing emphasis on effective risk control, legal compliance, proactive monitoring, and positive health and safety cultures, competent occupational health and safety practitioners are increasingly important across construction, manufacturing, facilities management, engineering, logistics, public services, and other workplace settings. As a work-based NVQ qualification, it is particularly relevant to experienced practitioners who are responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing health and safety policies, procedures, and systems within an organisation.

Future Progression

The NOCN Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice can support progression towards higher-level responsibilities and advanced professional development within occupational health and safety, risk management, workplace compliance, and safety management. The qualification provides a strong foundation for demonstrating competence in developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing organisational health and safety policies, procedures, and control systems.

The qualification can support further professional development through continuing professional development (CPD) and additional specialist training in areas such as occupational risk management, health and safety auditing, incident investigation, behavioural safety, emergency management, contractor safety, environmental management, and integrated management systems. Progression may also include further qualifications or professional development aligned with the learner’s occupational responsibilities and career objectives.

The qualification can also support progression into senior and specialist positions such as Health and Safety Manager, Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner, HSE Manager, Health and Safety Consultant, Health and Safety Advisor, Safety Management Consultant, Compliance Manager, Risk Management Specialist, Health and Safety Auditor, and Workplace Safety Manager. The competence developed through the qualification is applicable across construction, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, facilities management, public services, and other sectors where effective occupational health and safety management is essential.