In a world where workplace safety is a legal, moral, and business priority, qualified health and safety professionals are more essential than ever. If you’re looking to elevate your career in this vital field, the ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is one of the most respected and career-advancing qualifications available.
The ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is a competence-based qualification designed for experienced professionals who have current responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace. It is considered equivalent to a bachelor’s degree level and meets the academic requirements for Graduate Membership (Grad IOSH) of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)—a major stepping stone toward Chartered Membership (CMIOSH).
This qualification focuses on real-world application. It is not exam-based but is assessed through a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates your competence in managing health and safety in your organization.
The ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is not just a qualification—it’s a career accelerator. It proves that you not only understand safety theory but that you can apply it effectively in real workplace situations. Whether you want to climb the career ladder, gain professional recognition, or make your workplace safer, this diploma is the right choice.
Awarding Body
ProQual
Study Mode
Online
Qualification Level
Level 6
Completion Time
6 Months to 2 Years
Study Units
10 Mandatory Units
Assessments
Assignments & Evidences Based
| Qualification Title | ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice |
| Ofqual Qualification Number | 603/3106/9 |
| Level | Level 6 |
| Total Qualification Time | 1064 hours |
| Guided Learning Hours | 532 |
| Assessment | Pass or fail Internally assessed and verified by centre staff External quality assurance by ProQual verifiers |
To enrol in the ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, applicants must meet the following entry criteria:
Minimum Age
- Applicants must be 19 years of age or older at the time of registration.
Educational Background
- A Level 3 or 4 qualification in health and safety (e.g., General Certificate, Level 4 Award in Health & Safety)
- Previous experience in health and safety-related training or certifications.
Work Experience
- Learners must be currently employed in a role with significant responsibility for health and safety in the workplace.
- The role should allow the learner to demonstrate real-world competence through tasks such as:
- Conducting risk assessments
- Investigating incidents
- Developing health and safety policies
- Managing workplace audits
- Monitoring safety performance.
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 ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice consists of 10 mandatory units . Candidates must complete all of the following Mandatory units.
Mandatory Units of ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice
| Unit Reference Number | Unit Title | Unit Level |
|---|---|---|
| D/616/9536 | Promote a positive health and safety culture | 5 |
| F/616/9531 | Develop and implement the health and safety policy | 6 |
| J/616/9532 | Develop and implement effective communication systems for health and safety information | 5 |
| R/616/9534 | Develop and maintain individual and organisational competence in health and safety matters | 5 |
| Y/616/9535 | Identify, assess and control health and safety risks | 6 |
| H/616/9537 | Develop and implement proactive monitoring systems for health and safety | 6 |
| K/616/9538 | Develop and implement reactive monitoring systems for health and safety | 6 |
| M/616/9539 | Develop and implement health and safety emergency response systems and procedures | 6 |
| H/616/9540 | Develop and implement health and safety review systems | 6 |
| K/616/9541 | Maintain knowledge of improvements to influence health and safety practice | 5 |
Upon successful completion of the ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, learners will be able to:
Promote a health and safety culture
- Be able to advocate commitment to a positive health and safety culture in the organisation.
- Be able to develop links with appropriate people and groups on Health and Safety matters.
- Understand the importance of promoting a positive health and safety culture within the organisation.
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
Develop and implement the health and safety policy
- Be able to define the statutory and workplace health and safety requirements for the organisation.
- Be able to develop the Health and Safety Policy.
- Be able to implement the Health and Safety Policy.
- Know the steps required to develop and implement the Health and Safety Policy.
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
Develop and implement effective communication systems for health and safety information
- Be able to evaluate health and safety information.
- Be able to produce communication systems for health and safety information into the organisation.
- Be able to control the effectiveness of the communication systems for health and safety information going out of the organisation.
- Know how to develop and implement effective communication systems for health and safety information.
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
Develop and maintain individual and organisational competence in health and safety matters
- Be able to assess the health and safety competence needs of the organisation.
- Be able to implement health and safety training to meet identified needs.
- Know how to develop and maintain individual and organisational competence in health and safety matters.
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
Identify, assess and control health and safety risks
- Be able to conduct an inspection of the workplace
- Be able to assess risks to health and safety.
- Be able to implement risk control measures and safe systems of work in the organisation.
- Know how to identify, assess and control health and safety risks
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
Develop and implement proactive monitoring systems for health and safety
- Be able to devise inspection and monitoring systems for health and safety proactive performance monitoring.
- Be able to keep stakeholders informed of health and safety proactive performance monitoring outcomes.
- Understand how to develop and implement proactive monitoring systems for health and safety.
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
Develop and implement reactive monitoring systems for health and safety
- Be able to develop a health and safety loss event reporting and recording system.
- Be able to implement health and safety loss event investigation systems and procedures.
- Be able to conduct statistical and epidemiological analyses.
- Be able to maintain communication with stakeholders of health and safety reactive performance monitoring outcomes.
- Understand how to develop and implement reactive monitoring systems for health and safety
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
Develop and implement health and safety emergency response systems and procedures
- Be able to develop health and safety emergency response procedures.
- Be able to implement procedures for the control of a health and safety emergency.
- Understand how to develop and implement health and safety emergency response systems and procedures.
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
Develop and implement health and safety review systems
- Be able to investigate the efficiency and cost effectiveness of health and safety management systems.
- Be able to confirm that each part of the health and safety management system is working as intended.
- Be able to confirm that the entire health and safety system is working as intended.
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
Maintain knowledge of improvements to influence health and safety practice
- Be able to identify new developments in health and safety.
- Be able to influence colleagues on health and safety matters
- Know how to maintain knowledge of improvements in health and safety practice
- Be able to maintain and record their professional development
The ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma is designed for experienced professionals seeking to validate and enhance their practical skills in health and safety management. This qualification is ideal for individuals who already have on-the-job experience and are looking to advance their careers by demonstrating high-level competence in occupational health and safety. Below are the specific groups who will benefit most from this course:
1. Health and Safety Practitioners
- Current Role: Professionals already working in roles such as Health and Safety Advisors, Coordinators, or Managers.
- Career Goal: Those aiming to solidify their expertise and gain formal recognition of their competence by attaining Graduate Membership (Grad IOSH) and subsequently Chartered Membership (CMIOSH).
2. Risk and Compliance Managers
- Current Role: Individuals responsible for risk assessments, safety audits, and compliance monitoring in various industries.
- Career Goal: Those seeking to enhance their strategic role in preventing workplace accidents and promoting a robust safety culture within their organizations.
3. Supervisors and Line Managers
- Current Role: Supervisors or team leaders who have practical responsibilities for managing health and safety on the ground.
- Career Goal: Those looking to elevate their skills beyond day-to-day management into a more strategic role with broader responsibilities, supported by a formal Level 6 qualification.
4. Safety Consultants
- Current Role: Independent or in-house consultants who advise organizations on effective health and safety practices.
- Career Goal: Professionals aiming to boost their credibility with formal accreditation and improve their consultancy outcomes through advanced, evidence-based competencies.
5. Professionals in Regulated Industries
- Industries Include: Construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, healthcare, logistics, and other fields where health and safety are critical.
- Career Goal: Individuals in these sectors can use the diploma to demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards and promote safer, more efficient work environments.
6. Those Seeking Career Progression
- Professional Ambitions: Individuals targeting senior-level management positions, aiming to transition from operational roles to strategic health and safety leadership.
- Further Study: Graduates of this diploma often progress to postgraduate studies or specialized leadership qualifications, opening further career advancement opportunities.
By enrolling in the ProQual Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, participants can further cement their expertise, enhance their professional portfolio through real-world evidence, and achieve formal recognition of their occupational competence. This course is an ideal next step for any professional dedicated to advancing workplace safety and ensuring robust health and safety practices across their organization.
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Related Qualifications
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
ProQual Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management
ProQual Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
