Health & Safety Courses Ireland

What do I need to do to become a health and safety officer?
Working as a health & Safety officer is a highly rewarding and well-paid career. To gain a promotion or start a career in health & safety, employers require a recognised qualification that will qualify you to meet the responsibilities of this very important and demanding role.

What does a health and safety officer do?
Safety officers update health and safety policies and procedures, advise managers and workers on work related health and safety risks and hazards, carry out risk assessments, conduct safety training, consult with staff, implement current legislation to ensure compliance, help workers with health concerns and issues.

Are all health and safety courses and qualifications the same?
No they vary considerably. Degrees tend to be very academic and cover modules not always related to health and safety .  Choosing a professional part time Certificate. Diploma or Post Graduate qualification is way more focused on the core knowledge and practical aspects of working in health and safety. 

Does it matter what level the qualification is?
it is important you start at the right level for you and this generally corresponds to the job role. So entry level qualifications start at level 5 (Ireland) and level 3 (England), and higher levels start at level 7 (Ireland) and level 6 (England), all the way to level 9 (Ireland) and level 7 (England) Masters level.

Is it important to choose a health and safety course that is regularly updated?
The simple answer to this is Yes. It is important that health and safety programmes are continuously updated by health & safety practitioners and experts in the field. This will provide you with current knowledge, skills and competencies to become a health and safety officer or health and safety manager.  It is essential that health and safety officer graduates are aware of current legislation in Ireland, EU and UK and that there is lots of reference to HSA, HSE and IOSH publications.

What health and safety qualifications are the best?
If you are working full-time, then a part-time qualification at level 5, 6, 7 or 9 is the best choice. The following professional qualifications involve no exams, and provide 90 % success rates and are the best : 

Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety - Tech IOSH Approved
Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety - Grad IOSH Approved
Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety Management 

Am I eligible to join a Diploma qualification?
Your prior health and safety qualifications and experience will determine your eligibility for what health and safety course is most suitable. If you have no prior experience or qualifications in health and safety, it is advisable to start at the Technical Certificate entry level. If you have 1-3 years health and safety related experience, plus have completed a level 5 or equivalent health and safety type course, then you would be eligible for the Diploma.

Most universities and colleges have an Admissions officer who is best placed to advise you. If you already hold a degree in a related discipline, or hold a level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety then in many cases you would be eligible to pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety Management. This is on same level as a Master degree.

How long is a safety officer course?
Typically Safety officer courses involves studying for at least 12-months and in this time you will learn the practical skills, knowledge and competencies you need to start your career as a Health and Safety officer.

Are CMI Health and safety courses recognised?
Yes CMI courses are recognised. CMI is Ireland’s leading authority in health and safety education and their School of Health, Safety & Environment offers courses which are internationally recognised by IOSH and are regulated on the Ofqual framework of qualifications.  

Is it important to chose a course that has IOSH recognition ?
The short answer is Yes. IOSH is the Institute of Occupational Health & Safety and is the professional industry body for health and safety practitioners. IOSH recognise and approve only certain courses, which they feel will equip learners with the skills and knowledge to become a Health and Safety officer or Health and Safety manager. 

Are all Health and safety courses IOSH approved?
No, there are many health and safety courses that do not satisfy the rigorous IOSH approval criteria and standards.

Are CMI Health and safety courses IOSH approved?
The short answer is yes they are.

IOSH approves the OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety to 'Grad IOSH' membership level.

IOSH also approves the OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety to 'Tech IOSH' membership level.

 

Environmental Management courses
Learning about Environmental Management is complimentary to the role of a health and safety officer. Many Health and safety officer positions now include the role of environmental management and they call is EHS roles or Environmnetal Health and Safety roles.
Doing an Environmental Studies course will compliment your health and safety qualification. One of the most popular environmental foundation courses is   QQI Environmental Studies .

Job Opportunities
There is a huge demand for qualified health and safety managers and health and safety officers in Ireland.  Health and safety graduates are in a unique position to gain health and safety roles with leading national and international companies, across several industries and sectors.

Six Sigma courses - Quality Management
Add to your quality management qualifications with this widely recognised Six Sigma qualification offered by CMI

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification courses
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification courses

Ensure you choose the right part time course which meets the industry standard to become a Health & Safety Manager, officer or quality and environmental officer.  Learn more about what these courses offer and what they can do for you personally and professionally. 

Further information

Level 3 OTHM Technical Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety
Level 6 OTHM Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety 
Level 6 OTHM Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety
Level 7 OTHM Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety Management

What you need to do to be a health & safety officer in Ireland
CMI health and safety graduates opens up new Job opportunities

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