Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

What is the OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety?

The OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety has been developed to enable learners to gain an understanding of health and safety practices within a working environment.

The course provides an insight into how to manage workplace issues and covers the areas you would encounter in a health and safety role.

The aims of this programme will allow learners to :

• Understand the different roles and responsibilities for health and safety in the working environment
• Be aware of safety and welfare rules in the working environment
• Understand the elements of a health and social policy
• Understand the benefits of safety management systems in organisations
• Be able to review health and safety procedures across an organisation
• Be able to communicate effectively when contributing to the maintenance of a healthy and safe work environment
• Understand the importance of working with others to maintain a healthy and safe workplace.
• Understand the principles of risk assessment
• Understand about risks and control methods for workplace hazards
• Know how to manage the effects of accidents and incidents
• Be able to monitor risks and incident management

The qualification is suitable for those wishing to work in health and safety positions in a variety of sectors and will provide the real-world knowledge and skills that organisations and employer’s demand.

Individuals successfully completing the qualification will be eligible to apply for Affiliate / Technical (TechIOSH) membership.

Who is this qualification for?

This Level 3 technical certificate suits school leavers, career changers and adult learners who want a regulated route into occupational health and safety or into Level 4 study without A-levels.

• Study fully online with tutor support through HRCourses, with no fixed timetable.
• Assessment by assignments, so you can evidence learning from your own workplace.

Entry requirements

The OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety can be offered to learners from age 16.

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification, However, it is important that learners are able to understand and articulate the concepts contained in the syllabus in the language that the course delivery and assessment will be completed in. We will work with centres to ensure that learners admitted to the programme have sufficient capability at the right level to undertake the learning and assessment criteria. Some working knowledge of health and safety in the work environment would be advantageous.

OTHM centres must ensure learners are recruited with integrity onto appropriate qualifications that will meet their needs, enable and facilitate learning and achievement enable progression. The qualification is offered in English.

English requirements: If a learner is not from a majority English-speaking country must provide evidence of English language competency. For more information visit English Language Expectations page.

Qualification structure and units

The OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety consists of 3 mandatory units for a combined total of 34 credits, 340 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 220 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the completed qualification.

Source: OTHM qualification specification (PDF) · Ofqual qualification number 603/7346/5.

Duration and delivery

The qualification is designed to be flexible in its delivery in order to accommodate part-time and distance learning. The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.

The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.

At HRCourses the qualification is delivered online: you receive the unit materials, assignment briefs and tutor support through the learning platform and submit assignments when you are ready. There are no fixed lecture times, so you can start in any month.

How you are assessed

All units within this qualification are internally assessed by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. The qualifications are criterion referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes.

To achieve a ‘pass’ for a unit, learners must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria. Judgement that the learners have successfully fulfilled the assessment criteria is made by the Assessor.

The Assessor should provide an audit trail showing how the judgement of the learners’ overall achievement has been arrived at.

Progression and career routes

Learners achieving the OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety can aspire to progress towards the OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety qualification with appropriate experience.

Furthermore, learners will also have the opportunity to progress to the OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management qualification with an appropriate qualification, and progress to an MSc with UK universities and our sister company London Graduate School.

OTHM Occupational Health and Safety Level 6 Qualifications – IOSH Accredited

OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management

What is included when you study the OTHM Level 3 Technical Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety with HRCourses

Last updated October 2026. Fees and inclusions are confirmed in writing before you pay.

Fees and how to apply

1. Enquire or apply Use the enquiry form (or Apply now, where available) with this qualification pre-selected. Tell us your current qualifications and experience so we can confirm you meet the entry requirements.
2. Confirmation and fee link An adviser replies within one working day with the fee, start date and a secure link to pay in full or on an instalment plan.
3. Start your course As soon as your course fee (or first instalment, if you chose a plan) is paid, you receive your learning-platform login and can begin the first unit. There is no fixed intake date.

Progression path

1. Level 3 Technical Certificate
2. Level 5 Extended Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

Related HR qualifications

• Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management
• Level 6 Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
• Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

Other Occupational Health and Safety qualifications

• Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety — 240 credits
• OTHM Level 6 Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
• OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety