Competence - including appropriate knowledge, skills and experience - is key to assuring compliance with general health and safety in an organisation.
Appropriate qualifications and competence for a particular career are not always present when someone wants to enter a category of work or embark on a specific career path. So how do you select a team and what are the health and safety qualifications desired?
Our article will provide some ideas for you to consider in determining the health and safety qualifications needed for your team.
The requirements for health and safety qualifications vary from one sector to another. While there may be many pieces of legislation that would be common, and cross over between industries, there are sectors that are very specialized.
According to National Safety Council in the United States (US), industries such as:
agriculture
construction
transportation and warehousing
energy
forestry
and fishing sectors are among the most high-risk industries in the world. The sectors are considered among those with the highest numbers of fatalities, and therefore higher standards of competency may be required.
Competencies and qualifications among a health and safety team should be appropriate to the sector. Many different standards exist across the world; however, many are ‘transferrable’ with specific experience and formal qualifications accepted and welcomed.
Depending upon the level of individual responsibilities, level of health and safety qualifications per competency may differ. Larger organization may have the ability to develop those entering the sector, with health and safety apprenticeships or specific career paths laid out that span a few years.
The United Kingdom (UK) funds a portion of costs for level 3 apprentices, organisations who develop those wanting to enter the field. A sound basis of development allows a structured approach and suits those who need to work and earn an income, perhaps even those already in an occupation looking for a change in career path.
Many organisations offer courses that have various levels of health and safety qualifications, from awareness training to degrees. The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) offers health and safety courses and degrees up to Master’s level.
Typically, one would start with a general certificate that then could expand into specialised areas such as fire and construction. The NEBOSH National (or international) Diploma is a UK qualification framework is equivalent to level 6. NEBOSH also offers Master’s level degree with the University of Hull in the UK.
The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has a wide range of courses from general awareness and were designed to be transferrable, as well as acceptable internationally. IOSH differs a little from NEBOSH, as it is also a professional body.
IOSH offers ongoing memberships at various levels and requires members to complete annual continuing professional development (CPD). Experience and qualifications are linked to membership level, up to Charted level, the highest and highly regarded for leaders in the field.
CPD is important as we all know, in today’s world, risks and life changes constantly, so staying up to date is very important over and above just the health and safety qualifications.
Each organisation has a matrix or framework that lists the minimum requirements. Many different bodies have developed their own competency frameworks for a career path, that would include health and safety qualifications.
The Health and Safety Executive published a Guideline (HSG65) that outlines the health and safety competencies across all facets of an organisation that is an ideal starting point. Discussions with training organisations such as NEBOSH and IOSH, or your own preferred provider would assist with which would suit your type of industry.
Some smaller organisations do not have the capacity to employ full-time health and safety officers or managers, choosing to outsource their services. A competency matrix should also apply to such positions. In such cases, you would not be developing someone, but expecting the individual to already be competent, and have ongoing CPD compliance.
Where there is only one health and safety officer or manager in a business, they should have competencies that would complement the industry and be able to provide advice and support to managers and the business in general. The higher the risk, the higher the level of health and safety qualification, such as a diploma or degree.
Succession planning is an imperative for larger organisations, and a range of health and safety qualifications applies. Senior staff would most likely be at degree level, with junior staff doing part-time study, obtaining experience and skills at the same time.
Size, risk and complexity play a role in the type of health and safety qualifications needed in organisations. Small organisations may choose to develop or outsource the health and safety roles, whereas larger organisations may include a mix of competencies to build and develop highly skilled individuals for that type of industry.
A range of organisations exist across the world - or accept foreign qualifications - as part of the competencies. Whichever route is chosen for your type of organisation the key element is whether your internal teams will get the support and advice that is appropriate to minimise organisational risk.