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What is NEBOSH?

NEBOSH stands for the “National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health.” It is a UK-based independent examination board that delivers globally recognised qualifications in health, safety and environmental practice and management.

NEBOSH was founded in 1979 and offers a range of qualifications from introductory to professional level. It does not deliver Health and Safety training courses, but rather provides syllabuses, exams and assignments to over 600 accredited course providers in various countries around the world. Approximately 30 000 people worldwide obtain a NEBOSH qualification each year.

The number of people taking NEBOSH examinations in South Africa is growing at a massive rate each year. Rapid development and a demand for higher standards of employee safety and environmental management means that NEBOSH qualifications have become the number one choice of safety professionals in the country.

Advantages of taking a NEBOSH course:

NEBOSH qualifications:

• Are internationally recognised.
• Cover health, safety and risk management needs across all industry sectors.
• Will help you and your organisation improve safety records.
• Offer highly flexible examinations worldwide.

Achieving a NEBOSH qualification will mean that you hold an internationally recognised health and safety qualification that will offer you a platform on which to build a successful career in Health and Safety. Investing in a NEBOSH qualification shows that you are committed to achieving a positive health and safety culture within your organisation.

Why having a NEBOSH qualification is an advantage:

It is often necessary, when working in the field of Health and Safety, to have the appropriate NEBOSH qualification for the position. Career progression is often linked to further NEBOSH certifications.

All NEBOSH qualifications are globally recognised by professional membership bodies, including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

NEBOSH maintains Investors in People (IIP) status and is also an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified organisation.

The different types of NEBOSH Qualifications:

There are three categories of NEBOSH qualifications: Award, Certificate and Diploma.

• An Award provides awareness and a perfect introduction to other NEBOSH qualifications.
• Certificate level qualifications are an excellent foundation for managers, supervisors and people at the start of a career in health and safety.
• Diploma level qualifications demonstrate professional knowledge of the subject covered.

NEBOSH course providers must be accredited by NEBOSH and accreditation is required for each separate qualification. The accreditation process ensures that course providers have procedures and resources in place to deliver training programmes of a standard required by NEBOSH and to maintain the integrity of the assessment process.

Accredited NEBOSH course providers not only deliver courses, but organise exam sittings for candidates. Accredited providers include educational establishments, commercial training and consultancy providers and large employers.

NEBOSH has developed five International qualifications:

1. NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
2. NEBOSH International Certificate in Construction Health and Safety.
3. NEBOSH International Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management.
4. NEBOSH International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety.
5. NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.

NEBOSH Certificates:

The NEBOSH Certificate is the world’s most popular health and safety qualification. Because it’s so well known and highly regarded it is an ideal qualification if you’re looking to launch a career in safety. Although it’s useful to have some prior knowledge, there are no formal entry requirements.

The course is divided into three units. The first two are assessed by examinations, and the third one by a practical assessment.

Once successfully completed candidates meet the academic requirements for Technical Membership of IOSH (Tech IOSH) and associate membership of the IIRSM. The International Certificates align with international standards and management systems.

Here is a brief outline of each of the four certificates:

This certificate is designed for Health and Safety managers and supervisors employed by large organisations. It is also suitable for employees of multinational companies needing to adapt international standards in accordance with local needs and practice.

The NEBOSH International General Certificate provides a thorough breakdown of health and safety principles and practices. The syllabus omits specific reference to any national legal requirements, but instead focuses on international standards, in particular ILO codes of practice.

The following course material is covered:

• International standards for health and safety at work.
• Implementation of health and safety management systems.
• Identification of workplace hazards.
• Methods of hazard control.
• Practical application of knowledge and understanding.

This certificate is designed for candidates with international management responsibilities and employees required to provide routine advice on health, safety and welfare in construction.

It is also of use to roles concerned with the management of buildings, contractors and/or temporary workplaces.

This qualification enables candidates to effectively manage their duties with respect to Health and Safety in construction activities.

It is also designed to cover general health and safety issues within a construction context, as well as placing emphasis on the specific construction issues that make the industry one of the most dangerous in which to work.

The following course material is covered:

• International standards for health and safety at work.
• Implementation of health and safety management systems.
• Identification of workplace hazards.
• Methods of risk control within the construction industry.
• Practical application of knowledge and understanding.

This certificate is designed for employees required to provide routine, day-to- day advice on fire-related issues, as well as for non-specialists looking to acquire a breadth of knowledge on the subject.

It is recommended that prospective students have already achieved a NEBOSH International General Certificate.

This qualification is intended to enable candidates to manage their organisational duties regarding workplace safety more effectively. It also aims to equip holders to contribute to the conduct and review of fire risk assessments and preventative and protective measures within most low-risk workplaces, in accordance with international best practices.

The following course material is covered:

• Legal requirements for health and safety at work.
• Implementation of health and safety management systems and managing fire safety.
• Identification of workplace fire hazards.
• Methods of fire hazard control.
• Practical application of knowledge via a fire assessment.

This qualification is designed for candidates with safety responsibilities in the oil and gas industries and learners who are already experienced in the field.

Students are recommended to have already achieved a NEBOSH Certificate level qualification prior to taking the course.

The qualification focuses on international standards and management systems, enabling students to effectively manage workplace safety responsibilities both onshore and offshore.

The certificate also highlights the importance of process safety management in the oil and gas industry.

There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, however it is highly recommended that students have an existing underpinning knowledge of safety issues or have previously completed a NEBOSH certificate level qualification.

The following course material is covered:

• Health, safety environmental management in context.
• Hydrocarbon process safety.
• Fire protection and emergency response.
• Logistics and transport operations.

The NEBOSH Diploma

The NEBOSH Diploma is a prestigious and highly respected qualification, ultimately enabling Chartered (CMIOSH) status.

The qualification is divided into four units: three assessed by examinations and one by an assignment.

It is a rigorous and demanding course, but has tremendous benefits for safety professionals wishing to advance their career.

Further information on the NEBOSH Diploma:

The NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety is designed for aspiring international occupational Health & Safety practitioners (OHASP’s) requiring strong core knowledge. It is also suited to higher-level managers.

Successful completion of an International General Certificate course is highly recommended.

The NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety provides the knowledge and understanding that underpins competent performance as an Occupational Health and Safety Provider (OHASP).

This core knowledge is transferable between the different occupational sectors in which OHASP’s may work.

Students should be aware that this is a demanding qualification, with a workload equivalent to honours degree level.

The following course material is covered:

• Get a balanced perspective of the full scope of occupational safety and health issues.
• Be able to organise and communicate an effective safety program.
• Learn techniques to identify and target hazards, specific to your organisation and take actions to prevent incidents.

In Conclusion:

Globally recognised NEBOSH qualifications can give you an advantage in the workplace for promotion and job security, and offers a recognised route to professional memberships with professional institutes.

Certification with NEBOSH can improve your job satisfaction, confidence and drive to succeed in your occupation.

By furthering your professional development and developing transferable skills, you will be recognised and valued by employers universally. NEBOSH qualifications are therefore an essential part of a professional career in Health and Safety.