Posted By James Hi, I have been asked by our HR department to provide some guidance to them on the Job profile for different levels of project H&S staff. I have put something together, in terms of experience, key skills, abilities etc. but one small point I would like to clarify on the academic side of things. Can you advise if I have understood this correctly. There are 3 different levels of UK H&S qualifications Levels 3-5 Level 3 is a Certificate level - NEBOSH Certificate, British Safety Council Certificate, NVQ 3 in Health and Safety etc. Level 4 is Diploma level – NEBOSH Diploma, British Safety Council Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma in Health and Safety, NVQ 4 in H& S Management etc. Level 5 is MSc. Degree or NVQ Level 5 Thanks James

Posted By kevin pawadyira Contact the HSE for accurate clarification.

Posted By Rob Strange James For absolute clarification on this topic, please email Hazel Harvey, Director of Professional Affairs, at IOSH. hazel.harvey@iosh.co.uk Rob Strange IOSH CE

Posted By James Good Point Al. They were not around when I did my training 10+ years ago. Any idea where they would fit in, Level 4 or 5?

Posted By Hazel Harvey James, There have been some changes to the UK frameworks recently. NEBOSH/BSC Diplomas will be placed on the QCA framework at level 6 which is the equivalent of a first (Bachelors) degree. This is the level that will be required for IOSH membership in the revised membership structure. Just to confuse the issue these qualifications are based on the level 4 occupational standards in health and safety. (This levelling is not changing!).So the NVQ level 4 in OHS Practice will be remaining. One point of further clarification is the any post-graduate qualification will be at least level 7 so PGC/PGD/MSc would all be of a similar level to NVQ5. Diploma part 1 is level 3 although it is based on (now) discontinued standards in health and safety practice whilst the new Certificates are based on the level 3 standards in health and safety. The level 3 standards will form the basis of the new IOSH category of membership TechIOSH.

Posted By Hazel Harvey James, Not strictly speaking the equivalents of BSc degrees but at the same level. The depth of the Diplomas/NVQ is similar to BSc but the breadth is obviously not as much as they are much shorter programmes of study. There is an assumption that entrants to the Diploma programmes will have underpinning knowledge of scientific subjects before entry whereas these are often taught within the BSc programme. Also most of the BSc programmes contain considerably more management aspects than the Diplomas. The NVQ by definition makes an assumption that a person already has the knowledge before entry and that they then demonstrate this by developing a portfolio of practice skills. For IOSH Chartered membership all these qualifications are acceptable but for a person selecting a qualification they would need to balance the pros and cons of each type.

Posted By Hazel Harvey Mike, The Diploma I am referring to is the new Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Management which the BSC have just developed. It is not the DipSM which is the one to which you refer. The new Diploma will commence business in September and it is of a similar level to the other accredited qualifications. There are no multi-choice questions in this new one only good written assessments. Current DipSM holders will need to undertake a conversion course to the new DipOSH if they want to progress to IOSH membership.