Level 4 Diploma in Occupational Hygiene

Unit OH401: Fundamentals of Occupational Hygiene and Workplace Health Hazards

Introduces occupational hygiene principles and the identification of workplace hazards.

• Role and responsibilities of occupational hygiene professionals

• Anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of hazards

• Chemical, physical and biological workplace hazards

• Routes of occupational exposure

• Basic workplace health risk assessment

Unit OH402: Health Effects of Hazardous Substances

Explores how workplace substances can affect human health and how exposure risks can be reduced.

• Types and classifications of hazardous substances

• Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion and injection

• Acute and chronic health effects

• Safety data sheets and chemical hazard information

• Routes of exposure and basic toxicology

Unit OH403: Introduction to Occupational Exposure Measurement and Monitoring

Introduces basic techniques for measuring workplace contaminants and understanding monitoring results.

• Purpose and types of exposure monitoring

• Personal and static air sampling

• Basic sampling equipment and calibration concepts

• Introduction to exposure limits and monitoring results

• Recording, reporting and communicating findings

Unit OH404: Occupational Noise and Thermal Environment

Covers workplace noise and thermal conditions that may affect worker health, comfort and performance.

• Sources and effects of occupational noise

• Introduction to sound level measurements

• Noise reduction and hearing protection

• Heat stress, cold stress and thermal discomfort

• Basic workplace environmental control measures

Unit OH405: Ergonomics and Workplace Health Risk Identification

Develops awareness of ergonomic hazards and their contribution to occupational illness and injury.

• Principles of workplace ergonomics

• Manual handling and repetitive tasks

• Awkward postures and musculoskeletal risks

• Workplace task and workstation assessment

• Practical ergonomic improvement measures

Unit OH406: Introduction to Asbestos, Other Fibres and Hazard Control

Introduces the health risks associated with asbestos and other hazardous fibres, together with basic prevention and control principles.

• Types and sources of asbestos and other fibres

• Inhalation hazards and associated health effects

• Recognition of potentially hazardous materials

• Avoidance of disturbance and appropriate escalation

• Hierarchy of controls and appropriate specialist intervention

• Builds a foundation in occupational hygiene and workplace health protection.

• Develops awareness of chemical and physical exposure hazards.

• Introduces workplace exposure monitoring and measurement concepts.

• Strengthens hazard identification and basic risk assessment skills.

• Supports progression towards more advanced occupational hygiene studies.

• Provides relevant knowledge for industrial, construction, manufacturing and other workplace environments.

This qualification is intended for:

• HSE officers and safety technicians.

• Industrial and manufacturing supervisors.

• Occupational health assistants.

• Junior occupational hygiene practitioners.

• Construction and maintenance personnel involved in workplace health risks.

• Individuals seeking to progress into occupational hygiene or industrial health and safety.

Assessment include:

• Written assignments evaluating knowledge and understanding.

• Workplace hazard identification case studies.

• Exposure-monitoring interpretation exercises.

• Noise, thermal and ergonomic risk assessment scenarios.

• A final occupational hygiene report or integrated case study.

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners may seek progression to relevant Level 5 qualifications, such as the proposed HiQual UK Level 5 Diploma in Industrial Hygiene and Exposure Control, subject to its approval and the applicable entry requirements.

Other possible progression routes include further study in occupational health, industrial hygiene, environmental health, workplace exposure assessment and health and safety management.