Occupational Health and Safety (3654)

Last Updated: 24 Aug 2017
Please note that in September 2016 the current 3654-05 Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice will be replaced by 3654-06. The qualification (under the same name) has been updated in line with new IOSH requirements and includes a new range of units.

Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice provide essential occupational health and safety knowledge and skills, from conducting risk assessments to introducing procedures and promoting a culture of health and safety in the workplace for those who are responsible for or looking to start a career in health and safety in an organisation in any industry.

The Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice can be used as entrance to IOSH Graduate Membership.
Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety will develop the competency for
those who wish to develop skills and knowledge in the application of occupational health and safety good practice within the workplace

Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice are aimed at those who wish to develop their skills and knowledge in managing health and safety for the workplace. Ideal for those who will have an autonomous role in their organisation for managing health and safety policy and practice, with direct report to or be part of the senior management team.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • International

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

You can choose the qualification that demonstrates the specialist knowledge and skills you have developed such as:

  • Developing procedures to safely control work operations
  • Reviewing health and safety procedures in the workplace
  • Maintaining knowledge of improvements to influence health and safety practice.

You will learn on the job in the work environment.

Evidence should be derived from performance in the workplace. Assessment methods include:

  • Direct observation
  • Witness testimony
  • Performance of activities in the workplace
  • Documentary and other product-based evidence
  • A personal report by the candidate endorsed by colleagues.

Which level is right for me?

Level 3
Your job involves health and safety and you have experience of developing and applying policy and procedures within your organisation. You want to develop your professional skills further.

Level 5
You're responsible for developing and applying health and safety procedures day-to-day in your organisation. You may be a staff member, supervisor or manager looking to improve your knowledge and skills.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
The Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice qualifications can help you develop your career as a health and safety practitioner in almost any industry. Achieving the Level 5 Diploma will enable you to work in positions requiring will recommend and implement changes relevant to their role, understand the cost implications and budgetary control that can effect health and safety in the workplace.

You might be the only person in your organisation with a health and safety qualification, or you might work with others in a health and safety team, or you could be on a career path towards managing your own team.

Learners can also choose to go on to take the City & Guilds Level 5 NVQ in Managing Health and Safety.
The Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice qualification can lead to entry for certification at higher levels through the Institution of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH) and the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH).
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?
To deliver these qualifications you will need suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment, as well as providing facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

There are no specific eligibility requirements, but it is recommended that potential candidates are initially assessed on entry, so that levels of literacy, numeracy, communication skills and sector understanding can be determined. This initial assessment should consider previous qualifications and practical experience.

Centres currently offering the City & Guilds NVQ in Occupational Health and Safety (3644) have automatic approval to offer this qualification.

To find all the resource requirements, download the handbooks from the centre documents section.

Level 3

This level is ideal if your job involves health and safety and you have experience of developing and applying policy and procedures within your organisation. You want to develop your professional skills further.

To earn a qualification, you must complete a range of mandatory and optional units, including:

  • Ensure responsibility for actions to reduce risks to health and safety
  • Promote a culture of health and safety in the workplace
  • Conduct a health and safety risk assessment of the workplace.
For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
The Level 3 Certificate is ideal for those looking to start in a career as an Occupational Health and Safety specialist or those who have joined a Health and Safety team and are seeking to gain certification to prove their competency in the role.
Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (3654-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2019

Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

  • Accreditation No: 600/1070/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 31 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 161 - 187 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 310 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2022 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Level 5

This level is ideal if you're responsible for developing and applying health and safety procedures day-to-day in your organisation. You may be a staff member, supervisor or manager looking to improve your knowledge and skills.

To earn a qualification, you must complete nine mandatory units, including:

  • Promote a positive health and safety culture
  • Develop and implement effective communication systems for health and safety information
  • Maintain knowledge of improvements to influence health and safety practice.
For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
The Level 5 Diploma is ideal for those looking to further their career as a health and safety practitioner in almost any industry.

It would be appropriate if you are a team leader, supervisor or manager who ha responsibility your organisation for health and safety or if you working towards managing your own team.
Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice (3654-05)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2016
Replacement qualification (3654-06 Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice in September 2016.)

Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice

  • Accreditation No: 501/1818/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 108 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 482 - 482 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2019 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice (3654-06)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2020

Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice

  • Accreditation No: 603/0385/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 115 - 115 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 419 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to WalledGarden.com and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

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