Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice

Introduction

The Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice qualification is aimed at candidates who are responsible for developing and applying health and safety procedures day-to-day in their organisation. They may be a staff member, supervisor or manager looking to improve their knowledge and skills
Achievement of the ProQual’s Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is now accepted by the Institute of Occupational Health & Safety (IOSH) when individuals are applying for Graduate Membership of IOSH. We are working in partnership with IOSH to develop an updated qualification which will be available during 2018; the current Level 5 will be accepted during the transitional period until 2019.
Achievement of the ProQual’s Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is now accepted by the Institute of Occupational Health & Safety (IOSH) when individuals are applying for Graduate Membership of IOSH. We are working in partnership with IOSH to develop an updated qualification which will be available during 2018; the current Level 5 will be accepted during the transitional period until 2019.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification. Centres should carry out an initial assessment of candidate skills and knowledge to identify any gaps and help plan the assessment. This qualification is approved for candidates aged 19+

Qualification Structure

Candidates must complete all of the Mandatory units.

Assessment

This qualification is competence-based, candidates must demonstrate the level of competence described in the units. Assessment is the process of measuring a candidate’s skill, knowledge and understanding against the standards set in the qualification.
The qualification must be internally assessed by an appropriately experienced and qualified assessor.
Each candidate is required to produce a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates their achievement of all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for each unit. .

Evidence can include:

– observation report by assessor
– assignments/projects/reports
– professional discussion
– witness testimony
– candidate product
– worksheets
– record of oral and written questioning
– Recognition of Prior Learning

Learning outcomes set out what a candidate is expected to know, understand or be able to do.

Assessment criteria specify the standard a candidate must meet to show the learning outcome has been achieved.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Unit J/602/2210
Promote a health and safety culture

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1. Be able to advocate commitment to a positive health and safety culture in the organisation.
1.1 Provide sufficient and clear information to people in the organisation about the benefits of a positive health and safety culture.
1.2 Obtain the support of those in the organisation who can promote a positive health and safety culture; tailoring own approach to meet the needs of:
• directors
• managers
• employee representatives.
1.3 Use opportunities to communicate information about a positive health and safety culture.
1.4 Create new opportunities to communicate information about a positive health and safety culture.
1.5 Investigate ways to overcome barriers to change.

2. Be able to develop links with appropriate people and groups on Health and Safety matters.
2.1 Identify the appropriate people and groups with whom to develop links on health and safety matters:
• within the organisation
• external to the organisation.
2.2 Provide support and assistance to the appropriate people and groups identified in
2.3 Use appropriate opportunities to develop additional links with people and groups.
2.4 Plan implementation of opportunities to develop additional links with people and groups.

3. Understand the importance of promoting a positive health and safety culture within the organisation.
3.1 Describe the nature and role of a positive health and safety culture within the organisation.
3.2 Describe the existing health and safety culture within the organisation.
3.3 Identify how the organisation’s communication system can be utilised to promote the benefits of a positive health and safety culture.
3.4 Identify the people and groups who may be affected by the health and safety process.
3.5 Explain how to engage different individuals and groups in the health and safety process.
3.6 Explain external factors influencing a positive health and safety culture, to include sources of expertise and advice on health and safety matters that are available to inform the planning and decision making process for the organisation.

Unit D/602/2214
Develop and implement the health and safety policy

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1. Be able to define the statutory and workplace health and safety requirements for the organisation.
1.1 Analyse the structure of the organisation relative to health and safety.
1.2 Advocate the Health and Safety Policy to all key stakeholders in the organisation.
1.3 Assess the existing health and safety systems, policies and procedures in the organisation.
1.4 Evaluate the statutory and workplace health and safety requirements relating to:
• input of products and/or services
• the conversion processes
• output of products and/or services
• inadvertent, unwanted or unnecessary goods, materials and waste of all types
• employees, contractors and others affected by the organisation’s activities.
1.5 Identify those external to the organisation who may be affected by its activities.

2. Be able to develop the Health and Safety Policy
2.1 Identify deficiencies in the current Health and Safety Policy.
2.2 Identify resource constraints that could affect proposals for change.
2.3 Provide opportunities for key stakeholders to review the revised/new Policy.
2.4 Revise the Health and Safety Policy to remedy deficiencies.
2.5 Formulate the strategy for promoting commitment to the Health and Safety Policy by all those in the organisation.
2.6 Advocate the adoption of the new/improved Health and Safety Policy.

3. Be able to implement the Health and Safety Policy.
3.1 Specify the strategy for implementation of the Health and Safety Policy, to include:
• providing support and assistance during the implementation process
• planning effective action in case problems arise during implementation
• providing adequate opportunities for feedback
• responding appropriately to the feedback
• planning the implementation process to ensure minimum disruption.
3.2 Ensure quality management requirements are applied to all health and safety documentation.

4 Know the steps required to develop and implement the Health and Safety Policy.
4.1 Explain the nature and role of the Health and Safety Policy within the organisation.
4.2 Explain the input – conversion – output model of organisational systems.
4.3 Describe how to research the organisation’s current Health and Safety procedures.
4.4 Explain how individual and group motivation will be achieved.
4.5 Explain external factors influencing health and safety e.g. Statutory health and safety requirements and industry best practice

Unit J/602/2224
Develop and implement effective communication systems for health and safety information

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1 Be able to evaluate health and safety information.
1.1 Research proposed and new health and safety legislation, codes of practice, standards, health and safety risk assessment and control procedures and practices, technical developments and best practice in order to:
• develop as appropriate to the organisation
• implement as appropriate in the organisation.
1.2 Evaluate health and safety information for the organisation:
• coming into the organisation
• flowing within the organisation
• going out of the organisation.

2. Be able to produce communication systems for health and safety information into the organisation.
2.1 Develop appropriate systems for communicating health and safety information relating to input materials, goods, equipment, services and resources bought in by the organisation covering:
• proactive monitoring
• health and safety performance initiatives
• health and safety promotion activities
• reactive monitoring.
2.2 Communicate health and safety information to the organisation using a range of methods.
2.3 Communicate health and safety information externally to the organisation.
2.4 Maintain records of all health and safety information relating to input materials, goods, equipment, services and resources bought in by the organisation.
2.5 Manage the communication systems for the health and safety activities of the organisation.
2.6 Confirm that the health and safety culture and policy are kept in the forefront of the activities of the organisation.

3. Be able to control the effectiveness of the communication systems for health and safety information going out of the organisation.
3.1 Confirm that the statutory reporting of the health and safety information required from the organisation to the regulatory and local authorities is carried out.
3.2 Confirm that the health and safety information of the organisation is communicated, where appropriate, to trade associations, voluntary bodies, interested parties and individuals.
3.3 Make sure that the health and safety information of the organisation for products, services and waste is communicated to the stakeholders.
3.4 Make sure that the relevant health and safety standards and procedures of own organisation are provided to contractors.

4. Know how to develop and implement effective communication systems for health and safety information.
4.1 Explain how to develop and implement effective communication systems for health and safety information.
4.2 Explain the principles and concepts of:
• written and verbal communication
• electronic information, retrieval, storage and communication systems.
4.3 Describe the external factors influencing communication systems for health and safety information, to include:
• health and safety risk assessment, control procedures and practices, technical developments and best practice
• proposed and new health and safety legislation, codes of practice and standards
• health and safety promotional activities relevant to the needs of an organisation
• health and safety statutory reporting requirements for an organisation
• health and safety statutory information requirements for the products, services and waste of an organisation
• health and safety standards and procedures of an organisation that are relevant to the contractors used by the organisation.

Unit Y/602/2227
Develop and maintain individual and organisational competence in health and safety matters

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1 Be able to assess the health and safety competence needs of the organisation.
1.1 Analyse the functions, activities, tasks and job roles of the organisation.
1.2 Identify the health and safety competence needs of the functions, activities, tasks and job roles of the organisation.
1.3 Assess the health and safety competence needs of:
• the organisation
• individuals in the organisation.
1.4 Address the health and safety competence needs of the organisation.

2 Be able to implement health and safety training to meet identified needs.
2.1 Establish health and safety competencies in the organisation in terms of skills, knowledge and understanding.
2.2 Design training courses to meet health and safety competence needs for given groups and within agreed constraints to include:
• budget
• timescales
• staff availability.
2.3 Deliver suitable training to meet the health and safety needs of individuals and groups in the organisation.
2.4 Monitor the effectiveness of training to make sure that the identified needs have been met.

3 Know how to develop and maintain individual and organisational competence in health and safety matters.
3.1 Explain the nature and role of individual and organisational competence in health and safety matters within the organisation.
3.2 Explain the structure of the organisation with respect to functions, activities, tasks and jobs.
3.3 Explain the principles of competence, activity analysis, task analysis and job safety analysis.
3.4 Explain the relationships between competencies, skills and qualifications.
3.5 Explain the principles of:
• training course design and delivery
• the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of presentation
• course evaluation and validation
• preparing, delivering and marking tests and assignments
• effective written and verbal communication.
3.6 Describe the external factors influencing individual and organisational competence in health and safety:
• Health and safety statutory requirements and industry best practice
• The quality management requirements for documentation.

Unit J/602/2238
Identify, assess and control health and safety risks

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1 Be able to conduct an inspection of the workplace.
1.1 Identify the requirements to carry out a health and safety inspection.
1.2 Inspect the workplace to identify and evaluate hazards.
1.3 Evaluate hazards through observation of work activities.
1.4 Examine proposed activities to identify and evaluate hazards including:
• new workplaces
• new equipment
• new processes
• new activities.
1.5 Select and use appropriate measuring equipment.
1.6 Maintain records of the hazards identified in sufficient detail to meet:
• statutory requirements
• organisational requirements
• industry best practice.

2 Be able to assess risks to health and safety.
2.1 Select appropriate risk assessment methods.
2.2 Conduct a risk assessment of the hazards identified.
2.3 Select and use instruments or methods to determine the level of exposure affecting:
• employees
• others who may be affected.
2.4 Determine risks to health and safety of:
• employees
• others who may be affected.
2.5 Prioritise the health and safety risks to:
• employees
• others who may be affected.
2.6 Maintain records of the risk assessment in sufficient detail to meet:
• statutory requirements
• organisational requirements
• industry best practice.

3 Be able to implement risk control measures and safe systems of work in the organisation.
3.1 Evaluate the existing risk control measures and current systems of work in the organisation.
3.2 Identify for consideration the risk control measures required by:
• statutory requirements
• organisational requirements
• industry best practice.
3.3 Identify any additional or improved risk control measures that may be needed.
3.4 Identify the resources required to implement the risk control measures needed.
3.5 Calculate the cost-effectiveness of the risk control measures needed.
3.6 Consult with managers, employee representatives and employees about risk controls needed.
3.7 Plan the implementation of risk control measures in order of priority.
3.8 Ensure the provision of training for those who need required competences to implement risk control measures.
3.9 Maintain records of the control measures in sufficient detail to meet:
• statutory requirements
• organisational requirements
• industry best practice.

4 Know how to identify, assess and control health and safety risks.
4.1 Explain the methods of identification of health and safety hazards within the organisation, including:
• risk assessment methods
• physical resources
• instruments and survey methods which may be used to determine the level of exposure to people who may be affected.
4.2 Explain principles of the analysis methods for determining risks.
4.3 Describe external factors influencing the identification of health and safety hazards, including:
• health and safety statutory requirements
• acceptability of risk
• quality management requirements for documentation.
4.4 Explain the nature and role of health and safety risk control measures within the organisation.
4.5 Justify health and safety risk control measures, including safe systems of work.
4.6 Describe external factors influencing health and safety risk control methods.
4.7 Explain risk control hierarchies.

Unit L/602/2239
Develop and implement proactive monitoring systems for health and safety

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1 Be able to devise inspection and monitoring systems for health and safety proactive performance monitoring.
1.1 Develop workplace inspection and monitoring systems and procedures to include:
• methodology
• frequency
• compliance with health and safety regulations
• organisational requirements.
1.2 Assess the competence needs of the people who will carry out the inspection and monitoring in the organisation.
1.3 Plan in conjunction with others the implementation of appropriate inspection and monitoring systems in the organisation.
1.4 Identify any relevant monitoring equipment that may be required.
1.5 Review health and safety statutory records and records initiated by the organisation for proactive performance monitoring.
1.6 Analyse all internal documentation and records to ensure proactive monitoring is appropriately managed.
1.7 Involve managers, employee representatives and employees in health and safety proactive monitoring systems and procedures.
1.8 Maintain appropriate records of health and safety proactive monitoring systems and outcomes.

2 Be able to keep stakeholders informed of health and safety proactive performance monitoring outcomes.
2.1 Inform directors, senior, line, functional and technical managers, employee representatives and employees of the outcomes of health and safety proactive performance monitoring of the organisation.
2.2 Prepare reports of the outcomes of health and safety proactive performance monitoring of the organisation.
2.3 Interpret to non-specialist audience the outcomes of health and safety proactive performance monitoring of the organisation.
2.4 Propose recommendations based on the outcomes of health and safety proactive performance monitoring of the organisation.
2.5 Respond to the requirements of the regulatory authorities in respect of the outcomes of health and safety proactive performance monitoring of the organisation.


3 3.1 Describe the nature and role of active health and safety monitoring systems within the organisation Understand how to develop and implement proactive monitoring systems for health and safety.
3.2 Present the rationale for proactive monitoring systems for health and safety.
3.3 Describe the whole range of monitoring equipment.
3.4 Explain sampling routines.
3.5 Explain the procedure for workplace inspections and activity observations.
3.6 Explain the principles of effective written and verbal communication.
3.7 Explain how to respond to the health and safety needs of others.
3.8 Describe external factors influencing active health and safety monitoring systems:
• health and safety statutory requirements and industry best practice for proactive monitoring systems and documentation.
• quality management requirements for documentation.

Unit J/602/2241
Develop and implement reactive monitoring systems for health and safety

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1 Be able to develop a health and safety loss event reporting and recording system.
1.1 Identify health and safety loss events.
1.2 Devise health and safety loss event reporting forms.
1.3 Develop the health and safety loss event reporting and recording procedure.
1.4 Plan the implementation of the health and safety loss event reporting and recording procedure.
1.5 Maintain records of the health and safety loss events.
1.6 Develop a system to report health and safety loss events to the regulatory authorities.

2 Be able to implement health and safety loss event investigation systems and procedures.
2.1 Identify which health and safety loss events require a formal investigation.
2.2 Plan the implementation of health and safety loss event investigation systems and procedures.
2.3 Implement health and safety loss event investigation systems and procedures.
2.4 Investigate health and safety loss events.
2.5 Identify directors, senior, line, functional and technical managers, employee representatives and employees in order to:
• advise them about the risk assessments that need to be reviewed in the light of health and safety loss event investigations
• advise them of the possible breaches of statutory and common law requirements following health and safety loss event investigations.
2.6 Manage the implementation of recommendations arising from health and safety loss event investigations.
2.7 Keep records of health and safety investigations.
3 Be able to conduct statistical and epidemiological analyses.
3.1 Produce statistical and epidemiological analyses of the health and safety loss event data in the organisation in order to:
• present it in numerical and graphical format
• interpret statistical and epidemiological analyses
• present to directors, senior, line, functional and technical managers, employee representatives and employees in a meaningful way.
3.2 Keep records of health and safety loss event statistical and epidemiological analyses.

4 Be able to maintain communication with stakeholders of health and safety reactive performance monitoring outcomes.
4.1 Inform directors, senior, line, functional and technical managers, employee representatives and employees of the outcomes of health and safety reactive performance monitoring.
4.2 Prepare written and verbal reports of the outcomes of health and safety reactive performance monitoring.
4.3 Interpret to a lay audience the outcomes of health and safety reactive performance monitoring.
4.4 Select appropriate recommendations based on the outcomes of reactive performance monitoring.
4.5 Comply with the requirements of the regulatory authorities in respect of the outcomes of health and safety reactive performance monitoring.

5 Understand how to develop and implement reactive monitoring systems for health and safety.
5.1 Explain the nature and role of reactive health and safety monitoring systems within the organisation.
5.2 Explain health and safety loss events that require formal investigation in relation to:
• types
• causes
• impacts
• systems and procedures.
5.3 Describe reporting and recording procedures for health and safety loss events.
5.4 Describe principles of:
• fault-tree analysis
• events and causal factors analysis
• effective written and verbal communication
• how to respond to the needs of others
• statistical and epidemiological analyses of data, including the use of the normal and poisson distribution
• histograms, pie charts, cusum charts and line graphs.
5.5 Describe external factors influencing reactive health and safety monitoring systems and investigations.
5.6 Explain health and safety statutory and common law requirements regarding loss events

Unit R/602/2243
Develop and implement health and safety emergency response systems and procedures

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1 Be able to develop health and safety emergency response procedures.
1.1 Identify the potential sources of an emergency in the organisation.
1.2 Assess the organisation’s ability to provide the required:
• first aid provision
• adequate medical provision
• firefighting provision, on-site and off-site.
1.3 Ensure that there are the necessary competencies in first aid and firefighting in the organisation.
1.4 Involve managers, employee representatives and employees in the production of emergency procedures.
1.5 Develop health and safety emergency response procedures for the organisation, taking into account:
• health and safety statutory requirements with respect to the control of an emergency
• methods of effective communication both on-site and off-site
• dealing with both on-site and off-site emergencies
• dealing with the ongoing consequences of fatalities
• injury accidents
• dangerous occurrences
• fires and explosions
• toxic releases
• major disasters
• environmental impact
• rescue and security alerts.
1.6 Keep adequate records of the health and safety emergency response procedures of the organisation.
1.7 Prepare to respond to the requests of the regulatory and local authorities, the emergency services, other authorities, the media and other interested parties regarding an emergency in the organisation.
1.8 Devise a plan to implement the emergency response procedures.

2 Be able to implement procedures for the control of a health and safety emergency.
2.1 Confirm that sufficient facilities, materials and equipment, including communication equipment, are available to deal with the control of an emergency in the organisation.
2.2 Provide detail in the procedures of the competencies required.
2.3 Communicate the plan to all appropriate people in theorganisation.
2.4 Establish effective liaison with the appropriate emergency services and the regulatory and local authorities.
2.5 Respond to the requests of the regulatory and local authorities and where necessary, the requests of the media and other interested parties.
2.6 Confirm that the investigation procedure has been carried out.
2.7 Maintain records of the procedures for the control of a health and safety emergency in the organisation.

3 Understand how to develop and implement health and safety emergency response systems and procedures.
3.1 Explain the nature and role of health and safety emergency response systems and procedures within the organisation.
3.2 Explain the organisation’s emergency response procedures.
3.3 Explain the organisation’s simulated emergency response procedures.
3.4 Explain the principles of press releases and media management.
3.5 Explain the external factors influencing health and safety emergency response systems and procedures.
3.6 Explain the health and safety statutory requirements for:
• emergency response procedures
• first aid and medical service provision
• fire precautions
• major disasters
• ionising radiation incidents
• environmental impact events.

Unit H/602/2246
Develop and implement health and safety review systems

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1 Be able to investigate the efficiency and cost effectiveness of health and safety management systems.
1.1 Identify each part of the health and safety management system.
1.2 Define the factors and features that are essential for the effective working of each part of the health and safety management system.
1.3 Define the review frequency of each part of the health and safety management system.
1.4 Advise directors, senior, line, functional and technical managers of any improvements required to the efficient and cost-effective working of each part of the health and safety management system.
1.5 Plan the implementation of changes to each part of the health and safety management system.
1.6 Maintain records of the review of each part of the health and safety management system.

2 Be able to confirm that each part of the health and safety management system is working as intended.
2.1 Identify all components of the health and safety management system.
2.2 Define the factors and features that are essential for the effective working of the health and safety management system.
2.3 Define the review frequency of the health and safety management system.
2.4 Assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the health and safety management system.
2.5 Develop changes to improve the efficiency and costeffectiveness of the health and safety management system.
2.6 Manage the implementation of any necessary changes to the health and safety management system.
2.7 Maintain records of the review of the health and safety management system.

3 Be able to confirm that the entire health and safety system is working as intended.
3.1 Assess the nature and role of health and safety review systems within the organisation.
3.2 Describe the organisation’s health and safety management system.
3.3 Define the factors and features that are essential for the efficient and cost-effective working of a health and safety management system.
3.4 Assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of a health and safety management system.
3.5 Explain the principles of:
• electronic and paper record systems
• how to respond to the health and safety needs of others.
3.6 Describe external factors influencing health and safety review systems, to include:
• health and safety statutory requirements
• industry best practice
• quality requirements for documentation.

Unit M/602/2248
Maintain knowledge of improvements to influence health and safety practice

Learning Outcome - The learner will:
Assessment Criterion - The learner can:

1 Be able to identify new developments in health and safety.
1.1 Identify sources of information and advice on the latest developments in health and safety.
1.2 Evaluate the impact on the organisation of developments in health and safety legislation, policies and practices.
1.3 Advocate the adoption in the organisation of new developments in health and safety matters.
1.4 Contribute to professional technical groups to enhance the development of health and safety.
1.5 Maintain own continuous professional development.

2 Be able to influence colleagues on health and safety matters.
2.1 Identify opportunities to participate in professional discussions and reviews on best practice in health and safety matters.
2.2 Contribute to groups and committees engaged in developing health and safety practice.
2.3 Influence the policies and practices of professional organisations and groups on health and safety matters.
2.4 Compare health and safety best practice with colleagues through meetings, publications, conferences and other methods.
2.5 Influence colleagues and others on health and safety matters.
2.6 Advocate to colleagues the adoption of industry best practice.

3 Know how to maintain knowledge of improvements in health and safety practice.
3.1 Explain the nature and role of improvements in health and safety practice within the organisation and how they can impact on the business.
3.2 Describe print-based and electronic sources of information and advice on health and safety matters.
3.3 Explain principles of:
• effective written and verbal communication
• electronic means of communication.
3.4 Explain external factors influencing improvements in health and safety practice:
• professional, non-professional and technical groups
• professional organisations.

Ofqual Qualification Number

601/4665/5

Level

5

Total Qualification Time

1080 hours

Guided learning hours

482 hours

Assessment

Pass Or Fail Assessed And Verified By Centre Staff External Quality Assurance By ProQual Verifiers Qualification