Qualification Structure

The OAL Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management is a professional qualification designed to develop advanced knowledge and skills in occupational health and safety management. The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 510 hours and 229 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Assessment is assignment-based only, requiring learners to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through written assignments.

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

Core Study Units

1. Develop the Health and Safety Policy

Learning Outcomes:

• Analyse the legal and organisational requirements for a health and safety policy.
• Develop a comprehensive health and safety policy aligned with organisational objectives.
• Define roles, responsibilities, and arrangements within the policy.
• Ensure stakeholder engagement and communication of the policy across the organisation.

2. Prepare to Implement the Health and Safety Policy

Learning Outcomes:

• Plan the resources and actions required for effective policy implementation.
• Identify and address barriers to implementation.
• Develop an action plan with defined roles, responsibilities, and timeframes.
• Establish communication strategies to support implementation.

3. Manage Work-Based Hazards Through Control Measures

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify and evaluate common workplace hazards across various environments.
• Apply appropriate risk assessment methodologies.
• Recommend and implement suitable control measures in line with the hierarchy of control.
• Monitor the effectiveness of implemented control measures and recommend improvements.

4. Manage Emergency Response Procedures

Learning Outcomes:

• Assess organisational requirements for emergency preparedness.
• Develop and document emergency response plans and procedures.
• Coordinate emergency drills and simulations to test response capability.
• Evaluate and revise emergency procedures based on outcomes and feedback.

5. Manage Organisational Health and Safety Competence and Training

Learning Outcomes:

• Assess organisational training needs in relation to health and safety.
• Develop a competence and training framework for all staff levels.
• Implement effective training programmes and maintain accurate records.
• Monitor training outcomes and update learning plans accordingly.

6. Manage Proactive Health and Safety Monitoring in the Workplace

Learning Outcomes:

• Design and implement proactive monitoring systems and techniques.
• Conduct routine inspections and audits to identify potential risks.
• Analyse monitoring data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Report findings and propose actions to enhance safety performance.

7. Manage Reactive Health and Safety Monitoring in the Workplace

Learning Outcomes:

• Respond effectively to health and safety incidents and near misses.
• Lead or support investigations into workplace incidents.
• Identify root causes and contributing factors of incidents.
• Implement corrective actions and update risk controls accordingly.

8. Review Health and Safety Management Systems

Learning Outcomes:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the current health and safety management system.
• Identify areas for continuous improvement using data, audits, and stakeholder feedback.
• Recommend and implement system improvements aligned with recognised standards (e.g., ISO 45001).
• Develop reporting mechanisms to inform strategic decision-making.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The OAL Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management is designed for learner seeking advanced knowledge and management-level capability in occupational health and safety. It is particularly relevant to individuals who already work in, or intend to progress into, roles involving workplace risk management, safety leadership, compliance, monitoring, and organisational health and safety improvement.

This qualification may be suitable for:

• Occupational Health and Safety Professionals seeking to strengthen advanced knowledge and management capability.
• Health and Safety Managers responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and improving workplace safety arrangements.
• Safety Officers and Safety Coordinators looking to progress beyond operational responsibilities into broader management functions.
• HSE Professionals involved in workplace risk assessment, hazard control, incident investigation, and safety performance improvement.
• Occupational Health and Safety Advisors seeking a structured Level 6 qualification to strengthen professional knowledge.
• Workplace Compliance Specialists responsible for supporting organisational compliance with applicable health and safety requirements.
• Risk Management Professionals involved in identifying, evaluating, controlling, and monitoring occupational risks.
• Safety Supervisors and Team Leaders preparing to take greater responsibility for workplace health and safety management.
• Construction Health and Safety Professionals working in environments where effective risk control and safety management are critical.
• Manufacturing and Engineering Safety Professionals managing workplace hazards, operational risks, and safety controls.
• Facilities and Workplace Managers with responsibility for maintaining safe working environments and coordinating safety arrangements.
• Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Professionals seeking broader occupational health and safety management knowledge.
• Incident and Accident Investigation Personnel who need stronger analytical understanding of workplace incidents and corrective action.
• Professionals involved in Health and Safety Policy Development who contribute to organisational procedures, standards, and management systems.
• Professionals seeking career progression in Occupational Health and Safety Management and greater responsibility for organisational safety performance.

The qualification is particularly valuable where the role requires more than basic awareness of workplace safety. It supports the development of analytical, managerial, risk-based, and improvement-focused capabilities, helping learner understand how occupational health and safety can be integrated into organisational planning, operational control, monitoring, and continual improvement.

It can also provide a suitable academic progression route for learner who have previously completed relevant Level 4 or Level 5 occupational health and safety qualifications or have substantial professional experience in a related field. Suitability should ultimately be considered against the qualification's formal entry requirements and the learner's existing knowledge and experience.

Career Opportunities

The OAL Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management provides learner with advanced knowledge and management-level skills relevant to occupational health and safety, workplace risk management, compliance, safety performance, and organisational improvement. The qualification supports a deeper understanding of how occupational risks can be systematically identified, assessed, controlled, monitored, and reviewed across different working environments.

As organisations place increasing importance on preventing workplace injuries and ill health, strengthening safety culture, meeting applicable health and safety obligations, and improving operational resilience, there is growing value in professionals who can approach occupational health and safety from both a technical and management perspective. The knowledge developed through the qualification can support effective decision-making in areas such as hazard control, safety policy implementation, emergency preparedness, incident investigation, performance monitoring, corrective action, and continual improvement.

Its relevance extends across construction, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, facilities management, energy, utilities, commercial workplaces, and other sectors where effective occupational health and safety management is integral to operational performance. The qualification can therefore provide a strong academic foundation for learner seeking to strengthen professional competence and take greater responsibility for managing workplace health and safety systems and improvement initiatives.

Future Progression

Upon successful completion of the OAL Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management, learners can pursue further professional development and progress towards greater responsibilities in occupational health and safety, risk management, regulatory compliance, and workplace safety leadership. The qualification helps develop the knowledge and skills required to manage workplace risks, implement health and safety management systems, prevent incidents, monitor safety performance, and support continual improvement.

Learners may progress to advanced qualifications in occupational health and safety, health, safety and environment (HSE) management, risk management, environmental management, leadership, or related professional disciplines. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) can further enhance specialist expertise in risk assessment, accident investigation, safety auditing, emergency preparedness, occupational health, safety leadership, and management system implementation.

The qualification can support career progression towards roles such as Occupational Health and Safety Manager, Health and Safety Manager, HSE Manager, Health and Safety Advisor, HSE Advisor, Safety Management System Coordinator, Risk Management Specialist, Health and Safety Consultant, and Health and Safety Compliance Specialist. Access to these positions depends on relevant experience, employer expectations, professional competence, and applicable legal or industry requirements.

The skills developed through this diploma are relevant to a wide range of UK and international industries, including construction, manufacturing, engineering, energy, logistics, facilities management, utilities, and commercial operations. By strengthening their occupational health and safety management capabilities, learners can contribute to safer workplaces, effective risk control, legal compliance, and improved organisational performance while building a foundation for long-term professional growth.