As an employer, it’s your duty to maintain high standards of health and safety within your company, and one key to achieving this is providing your personnel with suitable training. With this in mind, one organisation you should be aware of is the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH). This globally-recognised body, which was established in 1979, sets a range of vocational safety qualifications that can help employees and managers to reduce risks. To find out more about NEBOSH, take a look at this brief guide.
What qualifications are available?
There are a variety of qualifications available through the exam board and you can find out more about your options online. NEBOSH health and safety courses include the National General Certificate and International General Certificate, as well as certificates in fire safety, construction safety, health and wellbeing at work and environmental management.
The body also offers more advanced qualifications in the form of diplomas. For example, you can choose between the National Diploma, International Diploma and National Diploma in Environmental Management.
Each training programme is tailored to suit specific needs and you can get in-depth course information, including which modules will be covered and the number of study hours required, by visiting the websites of specialist training providers.
Who are they aimed at?
Each year, over 30,000 people around the world take courses leading to NEBOSH qualifications. Different courses are targeted at different people. For example, the General Certificate is an entry-level course recommended for employee representatives, supervisors and managers who want to develop a stronger knowledge of health and safety issues. Meanwhile, the NEBOSH National Diploma is tailored to meet the needs of people who want to become specialist health and safety practitioners.
What are the potential benefits for your business?
Taking advantage of these training opportunities, whether you embark on the courses yourself or you encourage your personnel to complete them, can bring a range of benefits to your business. Recognised by respected bodies like the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, the qualifications demonstrate that your organisation takes risk management seriously. Meanwhile, by helping to improve safety standards within your firm, they can reduce the risk of accidents and ill-health. In turn, this can protect you from legal action – making it easier to keep both your finances and your reputation intact.
NEBOSH courses can be completed in traditional classroom settings or online through e-learning. If your business isn’t yet making the most of these opportunities, now may be the time to start.