Qualification Structure

The OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the RQF, comprising 60 credits, 600 Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 220 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Assessment is assignment-based and evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Learner submissions are internally assessed and quality assured by approved centre staff, with external quality assurance conducted by OTHM.

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

Core Study Units

Unit 1: Health and Safety Management Principles and Policy

• Be able to assess internal and external factors that influence health and safety practices.
• Understand the principles of health and safety management and its organisational systems.
• Understand the principles of health and safety policy.
• Be able to conduct a critical review of a health and safety policy in an organisation.

Unit 2: Health and Safety Management Practice

• Understand the process of planning and organising occupational health and safety practices in the workplace.
• Understand the process of leading and controlling health and safety practices in the workplace.
• Understand the process of reviewing the performance of health and safety practices in the workplace.
• Understand the process of monitoring and auditing health and safety practices in the workplace.
• Understand corporate social responsibilities and ethical codes of conduct and their impact on health and safety management.
• Understand the critical factors in the management of occupational health and well-being in the workplace.

Unit 3: Risk and Incident Management

• Understand the processes and strategies for identifying hazards and evaluating risk levels when carrying out risk assessments in an organisation.
• Understand the strategies and techniques of risk control.
• Understand the models of loss causation, analysis of loss data and the importance of incident investigation.
• Understand processes and strategies to manage health and safety incidents in an organisation.

Unit 4: Promoting a Positive Health and Safety Culture

• Understand key organisational factors that influence the health and safety culture in the workplace.
• Understand key human factors that influence health and safety performance and behaviour in the workplace.
• Understand the impact of leadership, structure and consultation on the health and safety culture of an organisation.
• Be able to develop a strategy to improve the health and safety culture of an organisation.

Unit 5: Maintaining a Safe Working Environment

• Understand the range of factors to consider to maintain a safe work environment.
• Understand the hazards, risks and controls applicable to a range of workplace contexts.
• Understand the maintenance of fire safety and protection against explosion.
• Understand safe storage, handling and management of hazardous substances, including biological agents.
• Understand the principles of managing workplace equipment and machinery.

Unit 6: Health and Safety Law, Regulation and Influence

• Understand international frameworks for legislation, regulation and enforcement.
• Understand statutory and regulatory obligations for maintaining health and safety in an organisation.
• Understand the industry and community roles in influencing and promoting local and national positive health and safety outcomes.

Unit 7: Development of the Health and Safety Practitioner

• Understand roles and responsibilities of health and safety practitioners.
• Be able to assess organisational competence and skills requirements for health and safety practitioners.
• Be able to produce a personal and professional development plan in own area of responsibility as a health and safety practitioner.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety is designed for professionals who want to develop advanced knowledge and practical competence in occupational health and safety management. It is particularly suitable for individuals who already have workplace experience or relevant prior knowledge and want to strengthen their ability to manage health and safety responsibilities at a more strategic level.

This qualification can be suitable for:

• Occupational Health and Safety Professionals who want to strengthen their technical knowledge, analytical skills and professional competence across workplace health and safety management.
• Health and Safety Managers responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring or improving organisational health and safety arrangements.
• Health and Safety Officers and Advisers seeking to progress from operational responsibilities towards more senior advisory or management-level functions.
• Safety Supervisors and Coordinators who want to develop a broader understanding of risk management, incident management, safety culture and workplace controls.
• Compliance Professionals involved in monitoring organisational compliance with health and safety legislation, regulatory requirements, policies and procedures.
• Risk Management Professionals who need stronger competence in hazard identification, risk evaluation, risk control and incident investigation.
• Workplace Managers and Operations Managers with responsibility for maintaining safe working environments and integrating health and safety into operational decision-making.
• Professionals Responsible for Safety Management Systems who want to understand how health and safety policies, procedures, monitoring and auditing contribute to organisational performance.
• Construction, Engineering and Industrial Safety Professionals working in environments where occupational hazards, workplace equipment, hazardous substances, fire safety and operational risks require systematic management.
• Professionals Involved in Incident Management who need to understand loss causation, incident investigation, analysis of safety data and strategies for preventing recurrence.
• Managers Promoting Positive Safety Culture who are responsible for improving safety leadership, consultation, workforce engagement and organisational safety behaviour.
• Professionals Seeking Career Progression in Occupational Health and Safety who want an advanced qualification that demonstrates structured knowledge across key areas of health and safety management.
• Existing Safety Practitioners Seeking Professional Development who want to formally develop their competence in policy, risk, legislation, workplace safety, safety culture and professional practice.
• Professionals Moving into Health and Safety Management who have relevant industry experience and need a broader management-oriented understanding of occupational health and safety.
• International Health and Safety Professionals seeking a UK-regulated qualification that provides a structured framework for developing advanced occupational health and safety knowledge.

Career Opportunities

The OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety provides the learner with advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competence required to contribute effectively to occupational health and safety management across a wide range of workplace environments. The qualification develops a broader understanding of health and safety policy, organisational management, risk and incident management, workplace hazards, safety culture, health and safety legislation, regulatory requirements and the professional responsibilities of a safety practitioner.

As organisations increasingly focus on workplace risk reduction, regulatory compliance, employee wellbeing, incident prevention and continual improvement of health and safety performance, competent occupational health and safety professionals play an important role in supporting effective management systems and safer working environments. The qualification is relevant across sectors such as construction, engineering, manufacturing, facilities management, logistics, energy, infrastructure, healthcare and other organisations where occupational risks require systematic management.

The qualification is particularly valuable for the learner seeking to strengthen existing health and safety expertise and develop the ability to evaluate workplace risks, review organisational practices, support safety culture, contribute to incident management and make informed recommendations for improvement. It provides a structured academic foundation for professionals who want to progress their knowledge beyond routine safety activities and develop a more strategic understanding of occupational health and safety management.

Future Progression

Upon successful completion of the OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, the learner can progress towards higher-level study and increasingly responsible professional roles within occupational health and safety, risk management, compliance and workplace safety. The qualification provides a strong foundation for developing advanced expertise in health and safety management, risk and incident management, safety culture, workplace safety, health and safety legislation, regulatory compliance and professional practice.

The learner may progress to a relevant Level 7 qualification in occupational health and safety, strategic management, risk management or a related discipline, subject to the entry requirements of the chosen qualification and awarding organisation. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) can also be used to strengthen specialist competence in areas such as ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management systems, auditing, incident investigation, risk assessment, workplace wellbeing, emergency management and organisational safety culture.

The qualification can support progression towards positions such as Occupational Health and Safety Manager, Health and Safety Manager, HSE Manager, Health and Safety Adviser, Occupational Health and Safety Consultant, Safety Compliance Manager, Risk Management Specialist, Safety Management Systems Coordinator and Health and Safety Consultant. The knowledge developed through the qualification can be particularly valuable in sectors where systematic risk management, regulatory compliance and effective safety leadership are essential.

For experienced professionals, the qualification can also provide an academic foundation for pursuing further professional recognition or membership with relevant industry and professional bodies, where separate membership, experience and competency requirements apply. This makes the qualification suitable as part of a longer-term professional development pathway towards senior safety management, strategic advisory and organisational health and safety leadership.