In today’s fast-evolving industries, health and safety are no longer optional — they are essential. Employers across the globe are actively seeking qualified professionals who can maintain compliance, reduce risk, and promote a culture of safety in the workplace. If you’re ready to make a difference while advancing your career, the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is your perfect starting point.
This internationally recognized qualification is designed for individuals working in roles where health and safety is a key responsibility. Whether you’re just beginning your journey in health and safety or looking to formalize your on-the-job experience, this qualification offers a practical, competence-based pathway to certification.
Awarded by ProQual Awarding Body (UK) and based on national occupational standards, this NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) is widely respected across industries and countries. It reflects your real-world performance and capabilities, making it highly valuable for employers and professionals alike.
Completing the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Certificate can serve as a foundation for further qualifications, such as the ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice or lead to membership in professional bodies such as IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health).
At Nova Vista College of Management Sciences, we offer guided support, expert assessors, and a streamlined process to help you gain this prestigious qualification. Join a growing community of professionals who are committed to making workplaces safer — and careers stronger.
Awarding Body
ProQual
Study Mode
Online
Qualification Level
Level 3
Completion Time
6 Months to 1 Year
Study Units
6 Mandatory 1 Optional Units
Assessments
Assignments & Evidences Based
| Qualification Title | ProQual Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety |
| Ofqual Qualification Number | 601/4766/0 |
| Level | Level 3 |
| Total Qualification Time | 310 hours |
| Guided Learning Hours | 161 |
| Assessment | Pass or fail Internally assessed and verified by centre staff External quality assurance by ProQual verifiers |
To enrol in the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, applicants must meet the following entry criteria:
Minimum Age
- Candidates must be 18 years of age or older at the time of enrolment.
Educational Background
- A minimum of a secondary school education (equivalent to Level 2 or high school completion) is preferred.
- Candidates should possess a basic understanding of workplace procedures and occupational safety concepts.
Work Experience
- Applicants must be currently employed in a role where they are actively involved in health and safety responsibilities.
- A minimum of 6 months of relevant work experience in any industry (such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, or engineering) is strongly recommended to effectively gather workplace evidence.
English Language Proficiency
- Learners must have a reasonable level of written and spoken English to understand course materials, communicate effectively with assessors, and compile evidence.
The Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety consists of 5 mandatory units and 4 Optional Units. Candidates must complete all of the following Mandatory units and any Two Optional units.
Mandatory Units of Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
| Unit Reference Number | Unit Title | Unit Level |
|---|---|---|
| A/650/6127 | Investigate and evaluate health and safety incidents and complaints in the workplace | 3 |
| Y/650/6126 | Ensure responsibility for actions to reduce risks to health and safety | 3 |
| F/650/6129 | Develop procedures to safely control work operations | 3 |
| F/601/9354 | Monitor procedures to safely control work operations | 3 |
| F/601/6633 | Promote a culture of health and safety in the workplace | 3 |
| H/601/6687 | Conduct a health and safety risk assessment of the workplace | 3 |
Optional Units of Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
| Unit Reference Number | Unit Title | Unit Level |
|---|---|---|
| D/650/6128 | Make sure actions in the workplace aim to protect the environment | 3 |
| M/601/6837 | Review health and safety procedures in the workplace | 3 |
| Y/601/6847 | Supervise the health, safety and welfare of a learner in the workplace | 3 |
Upon completion of the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety course, learners should be able to:
Investigate and evaluate health and safety incidents and complaints in the workplace
- be able to investigate and report workplace incidents and complaints in accordance with workplace requirements
- be able to make recommendations as a result of workplace investigations.
- know the employers’ and employees’ legal responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace.
Ensure responsibility for actions to reduce risks to health and safety
- be able to identify and appropriately deal with hazards and risks arising from working practices and work environment not covered by workplace risk assessment.
- be able to reduce the risks to health and safety in the workplace.
- acknowledge the importance of the needs and requirements of the people at the workplace.
- be able to communicate workplace findings in line with the accepted standards.
Develop procedures to safely control work operations
- be able to develop procedures for maintaining a healthy and safe workplace
- be able to review the effectiveness of health and safety procedures in the workplace.
- be able to communicate health and safety procedures to others in the workplace.
- know the legal responsibilities for health and safety.
Monitor procedures to safely control work operations
- be able to check that health and safety instructions are followed.
- be able to recommend changes to health and safety workplace instructions.
- be able to make sure that hazards and risks are controlled safely and effectively.
- know how to monitor procedures to safely control work operations
Promote a culture of health and safety in the workplace
- be able to develop plans to promote a health and safety culture in the workplace
- implement the plan to promote a health and safety culture in the workplace
- be able to monitor and review plan to promote health and safety culture in the workplace.
- know reasons for promoting a health and safety culture in the workplace.
Conduct a health and safety risk assessment of the workplace
- be able to prepare for a workplace risk assessment.
- be able to identify hazards in the workplace
- be able to conduct a risk assessment of the workplace.
- be able to review risk assessment.
- know the employer’s responsibility for risk assessments as required by current legislation.
Make sure actions in the workplace aim to protect the environment
- be able to identify risks to the environment arising from the workplace.
- be able to minimise the risks to the environment arising from the workplace.
- know the legislation relating to environmental matters that affect own workplace.
Review health and safety procedures in the workplace
- be able to undertake a review of health and safety in the workplace
- be able to carry out a review of workplace health and safety.
- know how to review health and safety procedures in workplaces.
Supervise the health, safety and welfare of a learner in the workplace
- prepare for and receive a trainee in the workplace.
- supervise, monitor and review the health, safety and welfare of a learner in the workplace
- know how to introduce a trainee to the workplace.
This qualification is ideal for individuals who are actively involved in workplace health and safety and wish to gain a formal, internationally recognized certification. It is particularly suited for:
- Health and Safety Officers and Coordinators
- Supervisors and Team Leaders with HSE responsibilities
- Employees responsible for enforcing safety policies in the workplace
- Aspiring health and safety professionals looking to enter the field
- Individuals seeking career progression within health and safety roles
- Those working in high-risk industries such as construction, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, or oil & gas
This course is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their competence through real work-based evidence, without the need for exams or classroom-based learning.
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Related Qualifications
ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice
ProQual Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management
ProQual Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
