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NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
The NEBOSH International General Certificate offers practical skills for managing occupational health and safety in organisations outside the UK. The course content blends theoretical concepts with real-world tools, ensuring learners can immediately apply what they have learned. This training, designed for health and safety officers, covers the essential requirements for operating within a health and safety management framework within non-UK organisations.
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Course Overview of International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
The NEBOSH International General Certificate is a globally recognised health and safety qualification held by over 90,000 professionals worldwide. Learners are taught the skills to improve workplace safety and minimise risks.
The NEBOSH international certificate is ideal for those aspiring to advance in Health and Safety careers. It aims to provide a strong foundation for further professional development, including the NEBOSH International Diploma.
It covers key skills such as advising on health and safety improvements, incident investigation, contractor management, and creating a positive health and safety culture.
Who is this NEBOSH International General Certificate Course for?
The NEBOSH International General Certificate is a globally respected qualification supporting your current health and safety role and long-term career. The qualification is relevant to every workplace. It is suitable for individual learners and organisations, such as:
- Employers looking to improve health and safety standards
- Companies aiming for employee wellbeing
- Organisations seeking overseas regulatory compliance
- Employees advancing their careers in health and safety
- Managers and supervisors for workplace health and safety skills
- Beginners in health and safety roles
- Learners before starting NEBOSH Level 6 Diplomas
NEBOSH International General Course Duration and Assessment
The NEBOSH International General Certificate requires at least 65 hours of classroom instruction, supplemented by 40 hours of independent study and additional reading.
The course consists of two units, IG1 and IG2, encompassing 11 study elements.
Unit IG1: Written Exam
- Consists of 4 study elements.
- Conducted as an open book exam online.
Unit IG2: Practical Assignment
- Involves a practical assignment (a risk assessment).
- Based on 7 study elements.
- Submission is done electronically.
Grading Criteria
Students must complete IG1 and IG2 units to earn the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
- IG1: Grade is determined by the open book exam.
- IG2: Requires a passing grade.
Grading Scale for IG1:
- 0 – 44 marks: Refer
- 45 – 64 marks: Pass
- 65 – 74 marks: Credit
- >75 marks: Distinction
Re-taking Unit Assessments
You can re-sit a unit assessment under the following circumstances:
- You passed a unit more than five years ago and need it for your qualification.
- You were 'Referred' (did not pass) in a unit.
- You want to retake Unit NG1 to achieve a higher grade (Unit NG2's result as 'Pass' or 'Refer' does not affect the qualification grade).
How often you can re-sit units within five years is unlimited. However, if you register for a re-sit before knowing the original result, you will not get a refund if you decide not to proceed.
If your re-sit score is lower than the original, your original score will still count.
If you re-sit a unit assessment and achieve a higher score than your previous attempt, you will be credited with the improved score without restriction.
NEBOSH IGC Qualification Requirements and Time Limitations
To earn the NGC, you need to pass two unit assessments. Each unit requires a 'Pass' grade to qualify for the certificate.
You have up to five years to complete all requirements for the qualification. This period begins when you successfully pass your first unit (the 'declaration date').
Any unit completed over five years ago will not count toward your qualification. You will need to retake these units to complete the qualification if necessary.
NEBOSH International Certificate Course Units
The course includes two main parts, each focusing on important subjects such as basic health and safety management and various workplace risks.
NG1: Management of Health and Safety
NG1 teaches the basic principles of managing health and safety, emphasising strategies for creating an effective workplace safety system.
NG2: Risk Assessment
A module focused on preparing for and finishing assessments.
What you will learn
- Advise on primary health and safety duties in the workplace
- Assist with contractor management
- Operate within a health and safety management system
- Understand effective policy, responsibilities, and arrangements.
- Create a positive health and safety culture
- Influence behaviours to improve organisational performance
- Conduct a thorough workplace risk assessment
- Prioritise risks, inspect for hazards and plan actions
- Develop safe work systems, including emergency protocols, and implement permit-to-work systems for managing special risks as necessary.
Topics Covered
This unit covers fundamental aspects of health and safety management systems. Topics include identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures.
Managing risk involves identifying potential hazards, assessing risks associated with people and processes, and implementing risk control methods. This topic emphasises the importance of human factors in safety, including behaviour, training, and organisational culture.
Effective health and safety management requires continuous monitoring and measurement of performance indicators. Participants learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures, conduct audits, and use data to improve health and safety outcomes.
This topic addresses both physical and psychological aspects of workplace health. It covers ergonomic considerations, workplace design, mental health awareness, and promoting well-being among employees.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent workplace injuries caused by poor ergonomics, manual handling, and repetitive tasks. Participants learn preventive measures, ergonomic principles, and best practices to reduce the risk of MSDs among workers.
This topic covers the workplace hazards associated with chemical and biological substances. Participants learn about risk assessment, control measures, safe handling practices, and the importance of using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
This topic addresses general workplace issues, such as noise, vibration, working at heights, and confined spaces. Participants learn about regulatory requirements, risk assessment methodologies, and control measures to ensure a safe working environment.
Proper selection, use, and maintenance of work equipment are important for preventing workplace accidents. Participants learn about equipment safety standards, inspection procedures, and the importance of training employees on safe equipment operation.
Fire safety is essential for protecting lives and property in the workplace. Participants learn about fire hazards, evacuation procedures, fire prevention measures, fire extinguisher use, and the importance of fire safety drills and training.
Electrical hazards pose significant risks in many workplaces. Participants learn about electrical safety regulations, risk assessment for electrical work, safe working practices around electricity, and the use of appropriate protective measures and equipment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This NEBOSH IGC qualification sets a global health and safety industry benchmark. Employers seeking health and safety professionals highly value it due to its rigorous examination protocols, which instil the confidence employers seek.
The NEBOSH International General Certificate is tailored for individuals aiming to advance their careers in Occupational Health and Safety, particularly outside the United Kingdom.
This qualification is equivalent to a Certificate of Higher Education. The NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is relatively demanding, equivalent to an A-level (or UK college-level qualification).
Nebosh stands for National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health. The NEBOSH course is a Level 3 qualification (equivalent to an A-level), while an IOSH Managing Safely is a Level 2 certification (comparable to a GCSE). NEBOSH suits those pursuing health and safety as their primary career.
NEBOSH General Certificate courses are classified as a Level 3 qualification on the NQF and a Level 6 qualification on the SCQF.
The NEBOSH National General Certificate and International General Certificate are variants of the same qualification. The National version is available only in the UK, while the International version is offered globally.
They share identical levels, units, and exam formats and teach the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" management system for health and safety. However, they differ in the specific legal and regulatory contexts they reference.
The NEBOSH General Certificate is open to anyone seeking to improve their knowledge of health and safety and increase their job prospects. There are no specific eligibility restrictions.
However, learners should be prepared to dedicate sufficient time to study and prepare for assessments. NEBOSH advises that learners grasp English well enough to fully benefit from the course content.
