How to become a Health and Safety practitioner

Working in health and safety is morally rewarding. In addition, the average salary for all full-time practitioners is £40,000 according to IOSH 2017 salary survey which is well above the UK national average. 

If you're looking for a challenge away from the traditional career options, find out what it takes to be a health and safety practitioner.

Your responsibilities as a health and safety practitioner

Health and safety practitioners, use their knowledge and skills to promote a positive health and safety culture in the workplace. You'll be responsible for ensuring that employers and workers comply with health and safety legislation, cmpany internal health and safety policies, procedures and best practices are adopted and adhered to.

Working in a range of organisations, from multinationals to small and medium sized organisations, health and safety practitioners plan, implement, monitor and review protective and preventative safety measures and drive continuous improvement.

If you are interested in finding out how to become a health and safety practitioners, there are a variety of factors to consider, such as the university degrees, necessary qualifications, industry knowledge, and a career to building up your practical experience.

 

Salary

With a health and safety adviser, for example:

Salaries vary significantly depending on the sector, the size of the employing organisation and your level of experience and qualifications. Income figures are intended as a guide only.

 

Employers

Health and safety practitioners are employed in a variety of industry settings, including:

 

Qualifications and Experience

You can get into the health and safety career through:

 

University

You can do a degree or postgraduate diploma recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, the link listed the qualifications which meet the academic requirements for Associate/Technical (AIOSH/Tech IOSH) and Graduate (Grad IOSH) membership: https://www.iosh.co.uk/Membership/About-membership/Qualifications.aspx/

 

Qualifications

If you do not have a university degree in Occulationl Safety and Health, you might need to gain a recognised qualification. There are many qualifications that are appropriate, but most health and safety practitioners start with short introductory courses, for example, IOSH Working Safely, the Highfield Level 2 Award in Health and Safety within the Workplace (RQF) or Highfield Level 3 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace (RQF).

NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) qualifications are seen as the benchmark for any health and safety professional, attracting over 50,000 candidates globally each year.

When a greater level of knowledge is required a NEBOSH National General Certificate qualification (approximately two weeks full time study) is well recognised. A NEBOSH National General Certificate is, in reality, an essential minimum qualification for any full time health and safety job. Overall, 92% of positions asked for either some form of NEBOSH qualification and/or Membership of IOSH.

The Diploma is the required level of qualification for most health and safety manager roles. It needs approximately seven weeks full time study. This is a more demanding qualification and normally take 5 years to complete.

If you wish to work internationally, NEBOSH also offer international qualifications, the International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety can be a good start.

 

Building up your industry knowledge and experience

When you have completed the required qualifications, the most important thing is to find a role and build up your experience. If you are new to the industry, finding a workplace where you can learn new skills as you go along is extremely beneficial.

 

Professional Bodies

NEBOSH qualifications are recognised by professional membership bodies including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and IEMA.

In 2019 IOSH updated its competency framework following extensive research and consultation with OSH professionals, employers and other stakeholders.  

OSH professionals now need a broader set of skills, knowledge and behaviours to manage and drive change. the framework can help you to focus minds on the competencies required in the profession.  

Health and safety professionals are recommended to use the framework as a reference tool to guide their development needs even though you are not yet an member of IOSH.

Becoming a member of a recognised professional body will help give you a head start on your career by demonstrating to potential employers a standard of competence, as well as keeping you up-to-date with any industry changes and best practice.

 

Other professional bodies:

You can join other professional bodies depending on the industry sector you are currently working:

https://www.oshcr.org/about/#ProfessionalBodies

About the writer:

Sandy Lu is the Managing Director of Horizon Risk Consultancy Ltd. She has over 14 years practical health and safety management experience in leading global organisations such as Air Products and Chemicals, Energizer and Walmart. After successfully obtained a Masters by Research degree from the University of Huddersfield in 2016, she started up her own health and safety and environmental risk management consultancy in Huddersfield, share her vast industry knowledge and best practices, help business reducing risks and improve efficiency. Sandy achieved the NEOBSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and was now a Graduate Member of IOSH. She is an NEBOSH external examiner and BSI Management System Associate Consultant.

Horizon Risk Consultancy Ltd is a NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner. Sandy delivered the health and safety and other qualifications, helped learners enhance their career perspective.